I will only be covering the TOP 5 Wedding Vendors you need to hire first! π The rest… I have a checklist for you to reference!Β
Just a FYI, this PDF list was created after comparing multiple resources – the Knot, Wedding Wire and many more. It’s definitely not an end-all-be-all list! πΒ
So let’s get down to it! π This is my TOP 5 wedding vendors you NEED TO hire first!Β
#1
Wedding Planner
If you have the budget for it and don’t have time – because of a demanding job – and don’t want the stress of wedding planning by yourself, hire a planner! If you have a really brief engagement and want to expedite and need everything done quick, hire a wedding planner!
Of all the vendors you should hire first, hiring a wedding planner would be the first thing! Not only do they have connections and a great list of vendors to look for – probably based your budget and the size of your wedding, they help you create a budget and help you stick to it! They schedule and attend all the meetings with you. The most important thing is that they are there to make everyone happy – even the vendors working with you! They work with you from the first steps and even makes sure, way beyond the wedding that there are no loose ends!
Don’t mix a wedding planner up with a wedding designer (designs all the details of your wedding) and a wedding coordinator (usually more day-of coordinator)! π They are all different!
#2
Wedding & Reception Venue
You guessed it.. of course the thing that come next is the venue! Which, means you need to have an approximate amount of guests in mind as well as a a few dates settled!
I personally dealt with two venues during my wedding and in hind sight, I definitely should have picked a ceremony location closer. So, if you are considering two locations, make sure they are close to each other. Take into account travel time from the two locations and the possibility of traffic – which could easily make a 10-20 minute travel time into 30-1 hr.Β
If you are planning on doing photos before the reception, be sure the location picked would be somewhere, hopefully, in the middle!Β
#3
Photographer & Videographer
Yup! π The photographer is probably the next that you should book! Most major and popular photographer will book 12+ months out! Videographers, if that is something you are looking for as well, also book pretty far in advance as well.
#4
Cater & Cake
If the reception is at an event center, hotel, golf-club and places as such, always ask for their list of preferred vendors! Choosing from their list is definitely the easiest and most stress-free! They’ve worked with these vendors before and so both sides know exactly what to expect!Β
If you are having an outdoor or outside location for reception.. then the skies the limit! π Hire a taco truck, hire In-n-Out, hire an ice cream cart :D… so many things you can do!Β
And cake? Hire your baker! π During COVID time, you could go pick up a preprepared box and have a zoom consultation with the baker! π It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll get to taste all the choices you like the most!
Bakers may only take a certain amount of clients before they close their bookings sooo.. definitely one of those book it fast type of thing!
Cake designs and ideas have changed so much. A single-tiered cake has actually become a trend as-of-late! Alot of alternatives to cake has become popular as well!
#5
Florist
Last but not least… some people would think otherwise but I say florists are worth hiring right away!! I’ve witnessed how a florist was able toΒ unifying a wedding SOO WELL that, without them, the wedding would have definitely not been the same!
The little intricate details of this particular wedding above was SOOO beautiful! I especially loved how everything was repurposed and not wasted, it was so unique!! Why spend more money when everything – including the wedding party bouquets can be reused to create a unified decor!Β
And I know florists are also the type that will only accept a certain amount of people as well! So, if there is a florist you love… jump on it! You won’t be disappointed!
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For a more complete list, go download this checklist! π Like I said, this was compiled using multiple resources! Use this only as a reference and if you feel you need to make changes, go for it!Β
