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Step 1
Budget based on what is most important to you. Everyone has their opinion on what “makes” a wedding. Are you obsessed with beautiful flowers? Do you love live music? Are you more concerned with having fantastic photos? Are you and your future spouse gourmets and only the best food will do? Whatever your preference, be sure to allocate more money towards the things that are most important to you. Even if flowers aren’t your thing, you can still have beautiful bouquets and centerpieces using less expensive or fewer flowers---and you can use that saved money towards a great band, photographer, videographer, etc.
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Step 2
Do your research. Visit some wedding web sites to get an idea of what you want. No clue? Look at photos on web sites like theknot.com. (You can also find vendors specific to your area.) Lost as to what kind of music you’d want? Most bands have snippets you can listen to online. It’s also very helpful to talk to anyone you know who has recently been married. They may know of a fantastic vendor. Choose 3-5 vendors for each function (4 photographers, 3 florists, 5 bands, etc.) Put them in the order that you think you’ll like them and start booking interviews/consultations. Be sure to ask for examples of their work and the names of at least 3 happy customers. Take good notes during the interview and give yourself roughly 1-3 weeks per type of vendor to find the right one.
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Step 3
Prioritize choosing vendors. If you’re getting married during the Spring or Summer, you’ll have more competition for the top vendors. Again, prioritize based on what’s important to you. If you’re a music buff, work on lining up the band/DJ first. If it’s food that’s important to you, book the caterer first.
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Step 4
Negotiate price. One of the perks of having done your research and having done a few interviews is that you’re more educated when it comes to pricing. If your favorite photographer is more expensive than your second favorite, ask if they can bring down the price slightly to fit your budget or ask if they will throw in something for free (a small photo album for your parents?) If you are booking your wedding for a busy time of year, however, don’t be surprised if they don’t budge.
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Step 5
Get everything in writing. Make sure anything and everything is in the contract before you sign it. Make sure “what if” scenarios are covered as well. (What is the lead singer of the band is sick? Do they have a back-up?)
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Step 6
Be clear in what you want but don’t be afraid to let the vendors use their expertise to help you. If you know what you want, be sure they know exactly what you mean so you’re not disappointed on your big day. Bring examples, like photos, snippets of the bridesmaids’ dresses, or even rough sketches of how you imagine things. If you’re the control freak type, schedule a dry run. Get your hair done a week before the wedding to be sure you like the style, or have the florist make a small centerpiece to make sure you’re on the same page. Give the photographer a list of “must have” photos that you’d be devastated if you didn’t have (you and your favorite grandmother, for example.)
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Step 7
Call the week of the wedding to ensure the vendor knows the who, what, where and when. Don’t tell them your wedding is Saturday the 12th. Ask them what they have written down. Make sure they have directions to the ceremony/reception site and have the date and time right.
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Step 8
Be a sweetheart. The old saying goes you get more bees with honey than with vinegar, and it is absolutely true. Be as easy to work with and polite as humanly possible. Vendors will appreciate that you’re not a “bridezilla” and they will be more likely to go the extra mile for you!
