13 Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Vendors

We know picking the team to turn your wedding ideas into your dream day is hard, so we’re here to help! Choosing the perfect wedding vendors is a huge part of planning, yes, and more importantly, achieving your big day – so here are 13 tips to assure you pick the right ones for you!

13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Vendors - Inspired by This

1. Watch Out for Change Fees: Every contract has a change fee. Make sure you understand exactly when this fee will be applied, as well as what each change to your order will cost. If you don’t understand the reasoning behind a fee, never hesitate to ask!” – Carla Hagan of Carla Hagan Calligraphy and Designs

 

2. When hiring your wedding vendors, do your own background check. Read the reviews. Check references. And, ask for proof of business insurance. – Kawania Wooten of Howerton + Wooten Events

 

3. Go to industry events: The tickets may cost some money but you’ll not only get a large range of vendors at once but you’ll be able to experience at least a part of each vendor’s services/products. – Matthew Antoun of Modern Art Catering

 

13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Vendors - Inspired by This
Rentals by Archive Rentals, Photo by Erich McVey

4. Pick a venue with open space and flexibility in moving preexisting smaller/light furniture items that don’t fit your event aesthetic. – Krista and Regina of Archive Rentals

 

5. Read ALL of the Contract: Make sure you fully understand all details before signing to ensure that your needs will be met. Always remember: If it’s not in the contract, it is more than likely that it will not happen. – Diana Cantidio of D. Cantidio
 

6. Take every element into consideration: When selecting your wedding vendors I always encourage my couples to keep the 4 P’s in mind – passion, product, personality and price! – Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events

 

13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Vendors - Inspired by This

7. Hire the best vendor in each category in the price point you can afford. Don’t spend so much on one vendor that it takes away from the rest though! – Virginia Edelson of Bluebird Productions

 

8. You get what you pay for. The key to choosing your vendors is keeping this in mind. In the event world, there are vendors that are just starting out, and those that are seasoned. You are going to pay more for the seasoned, and less for those who are just growing their business. Be careful about the “deals” you are getting. Take into account how many hours, what type of service, quantity, and logistics. Make sure as you are shopping prices, you weigh all the variables.  Kristen Jensen of Sugar Rush Events

 

9. How attentive are they? During the sales and vetting process, see how quickly a prospective vendor responds to you. 24-72 hours is a reasonable turnaround time; a whole week is not.  This is an indication of how easy they will be to work with. One of the top complaints I receive from clients is that a vendor is not responsive or attentive to their needs, and that their response time is exceedingly long. – Dee Gaubert of No Worries Event Planning

 

10. If you’re planning a destination wedding, hire a local planner. They will help you with the lay of the land and be able to help navigate your guest travel, accommodations and just getting around your destination location.  Dee Gaubert of No Worries Event Planning

 

13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Vendors - Inspired by This

Photo by  Megan Clouse Photography

 

11. For budget, be honest. If you inquired with enthusiasm and the reply proposal is out of your budget and you’re feeling discouraged, don’t stop there. I greatly appreciate a couple that lets me know and tries to find a solution that works for everyone. Ask your vendor, “I really love your work/ food/florals/etc, is there anyway we can get the budget closer to $xxxx? Can you think of any creative ways or little corners to cut?” In many cases, for photography, we can shave off some time.  Megan Clouse of Megan Clouse Photography

 

12. Excellent customer service, the ability to complete projects in a timely manner, precision in executing a design to a specific standard, trust, reliability, and accountability are just some of the things that are learned and honed through years of experience mastering the tricks of the trade. Don’t judge a book by its
cover, truly take the time to research the story. – Katrina Centeno of Calligraphy Katrina
13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Vendors - Inspired by This

Wedding by Feathered Arrow Events, Photo by Giny Ann Photography

 

13. Don’t ask your vendors for discounts on the spot. Respect their work + their time and see if there is something they offer within your budget, if not, you may need to find someone else with your style and that offers packages within your budget! – Kari Dirksen of Feathered Arrow Events

 

Browse our planning category for more advice and inspiration!

 

10 responses to “13 Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Vendors

  1. Such helpful tips! My wedding is coming up and these are great to keep in mind when planning.

  2. I wish I would’ve done #2.. would’ve saved me a lot of trouble when planning my wedding 🙁

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