Choosing suppliers for your wedding
If you've started planning your wedding you're likely aware of the amount of choices out there when it comes to selecting wedding suppliers. You could have 10 or more suppliers working on or at your wedding, that's numerous decisions to make. As a wedding planner, I have the experience and privilege of working with talented wedding suppliers who cover many types of services from photographers, musicians, florists, DJ’s and so much more. It’s important for you to select suppliers that fit in with your overall wedding style, budget and other preferences. But how do you choose suppliers for your wedding, read on for 10 top tips.
1. Know your priorities
You will need to decide (if you haven’t already) what 3 key things you want to spend more money on. For example, this could be the venue, dress and your honeymoon or venue, flowers and great food or entertainment. Whatever it is, assign more of your budget to these items and then less money to the others. Look for the very best supplier in that category that you can afford and book your chosen one.
2. Think logically when choosing your wedding suppliers
Consider what needs to be in place first, and which parts of your big day rely on others. For example, don’t book a DJ or band until you know your venue can accommodate a dance floor or stage. Want family-style sharing platters for dinner? Don’t commit to your catering until you know what furniture you’ll have at the reception – you don’t want people trying to balance a three-course meal on their laps. If you have a wedding planner we will guide you through this.
3. Professionalism
Your wedding is not the time to ‘test out’ your friends skills at say photography or cake making. I always advise getting professionals involved in your wedding. You will benefit from our knowledge and experience. We will not be at your wedding doing half the job. You pay us to deliver, creativity, great customer service and most of all professionalism. Trust that the suppliers you choose will do just that.
4. Wedding supplier feedback
Do your research. Take time to check out suppliers' galleries or portfolios, this will give you a clearer idea about their creativity and the types of weddings they have worked on before. Read suppliers testimonials, particularly ones that others have written, such as google reviews. This will give you a great insight into the clients gushing with praise. Is there evidence of some of the feedback you would expect to see? For example as a wedding planner you may expect to see things like, she over delivered, she got our vision, she helped reduce any stress, we were able to fully enjoy our day. Do you get a good feeling from reading all this? Also look for the supplier's response, that will help you to know that they value the feedback provided. As a customer you want to feel valued.
5. Communication and connection with your supplier
During those first emails to potential wedding suppliers, see how they respond. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, including about your style, priorities and budget and how they work. Also note how they communicate. You want a supplier that is responsive. Yes we will have other correspondence from potential couples too but a timely reply (within a day or two) is not too much to ask. It’s also important to choose suppliers you genuinely get along with, so take the time to jump on a Zoom or phone or catch up for a coffee to find people you feel relaxed and comfortable around.
6.
Preferred Supplier lists
Many venues require you to use their preferred suppliers, which may or may not suit your wedding style. So, find out about this before you make a booking. If the venue does work with specific suppliers, make sure that you’re happy with their experience, style, personality, and pricing. If not, it is worth bringing in your own suppliers, although note some venues may charge you for this. Say if you use your own caterer or bar staff so always check the venues terms and conditions first.
7. Be Flexible
Wedding suppliers get booked up, sometimes years in advance. If you have a Summer wedding at a weekend, know that waiting months to get back to a supplier after they send a quote could leave you most disappointed. Wedding suppliers are in high demand, particularly during the wedding season (April to September). I get that there is alot to consider and life can get in the way but don't take too long to decide. Also, if you can't book your first choice, go for your second choice or consider other options, that may be different from what you imagined but could work out brilliantly.
8. Consider your wedding season
When you get married can impact not only supplier's availability but other things too. For example your favourite flowers or or food might not be at their best on your wedding day, if they’re not local or seasonal. Also think about elements of your day, for example if you have a Winter wedding, it's best not to book outdoor entertainment. Your suppliers will be able to advise you on all of this, so make sure you build a strong relationship with them yourselves or via your wedding planner to get the best guidance.
9. Hire a wedding planner
As a wedding planner, knowing the right supplier team for my clients is crucial. I have a strong supplier network so for clients who book my full or partial planning services, I am able to recommend the best supplier fit for your wedding requirements, based on the knowledge I have of my supplier's strengths, style and expertise. It will save you having to sift through their credentials, we have already done all of that vetting for you. It is crucial to trust your planners' experience and judgment, we do this for a living. We know what works and who to choose. It can take considerable time to wade through emails, consultations, and reading reviews to pick your suppliers. You have busy lifestyles and won’t always have the capacity to take that on, why not save yourself that time and book a wedding planner to do that for you.
10. Trust the process
Once you’ve secured your dream team, simply trust the process and move forward with confidence! Remember, we are experts in the industry and work with engaged couples just like you for a living. With the right team by your side, you can rest assured your big day will be everything you envisaged and more.
If you have any questions or would like some help sourcing suppliers for your wedding, I would love to hear from you, drop me an email at natasha@pearlineevents.com
Natasha
