As a wedding & event planner in Alberta for over 20 years, one of the most frequent questions I get asked by my clients is "How do I know I'm choosing the right vendors for my wedding?!". And a close second is ... "How do I even begin to narrow it down?" Hiring the right vendors is one the MOST important aspects of wedding planning, but can also the most overwhelming!
There are SO many options, and it's hard to know where to even begin. Let me help make it just a little bit easier for you with my top 6 expert tips for choosing your perfect wedding vendors ... the ones that fit your style, budget and expectations!
Rank your priorities: Is music going to make your wedding? Or are the photos most important? What about flowers, decor, makeup or the venue itself? If you can figure out what your wedding priorities are, you'll know where to focus more of your efforts!
Set your budget: This is the most important step because you'll find that pricing can vary wildly by vendors, depending on their location, experience, professionalism, level of service and how in demand they are, among other factors. Figure out how much you're willing to spend on each vendor (based on your priorities) ... and don't forget to account for hidden costs like travel + gratuities.
Do your research: This will be the most time-intensive aspect of finding vendors. You can research by sourcing out websites & social media profiles, checking out Google reviews, posting in online wedding boards and asking for recommendations from friends, family and especially your wedding planner.
Meet your top 2-3 choices: Schedule consultations with potential vendors to get a feel for their personality, style, and level of professionalism. Compatibility is key and you want to choose vendors whose values and vibe you really connect with!
Ask questions: Make a list, come prepared and don't be afraid to ask ALL the questions you have, including about their years of experience, pricing, insurance, portfolio and contract details. The more answers you get, the better prepared you'll be to make the right decision!
Get it in writing: Once you've found the perfect vendor, make sure to get everything in writing. If they are unwilling to provide a contract, that is a major red flag. Contracts should include services provided, payment schedules, cancellation policies, and every other important detail.
At the end of the day, you want to make sure that what's important to YOU is also important to your vendors. If all these decisions seem daunting or you need a little extra guidance, MORE Events Co would love to help alleviate some of the wedding planning stress, so please reach out to see how we can support you. And as always ... happy planning! 💕
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