Once you’ve narrowed down some favourites, here are my top tips for shortlisting, and ultimately choosing your final wedding vendors…
SOCIAL MEDIA STALKING
When it comes to choosing your wedding vendors, obviously a gorgeous Instagram feed is really important, but I always encourage clients to look beyond follower numbers. Some vendors are really good at marketing themselves and have hit a sweet spot with what’s trending, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right person for you. The most important thing is that they are good at their actual job. Ask to see their portfolios beyond their curated feed and have a good look through their website. Read their client testimonials. Check how many real weddings they’ve done vs styled photo shoots. A lot of the wedding content you’ll see online is editorial work rather than a real wedding (or in fact, even actually real, watch out for AI generated inspirational content)!
IN SAFE HANDS
After speaking with a vendor, you should come away feeling inspired. They should bring fresh ideas to the table and help you to develop your own. You should feel like you’re in safe hands. So much trust goes into choosing your wedding team. On the wedding day itself, you need to know that they will turn up promptly and professionally and get on with their job. And you also want to feel that they are excited to be there! Nobody wants a jaded wedding professional bringing down the vibe of their big day (and trust me, those people sadly do exist).
SHOULD WE BOOK THE CHEAPEST OPTION?
Cheapest isn’t necessarily the best option. In fact, I’d put forward a strong argument to say it’s never the best plan to opt for the cheapest quote. Of course, budget is important but sometimes things are cheaper for a reason. There could be hidden costs that will materialise closer to the time – ie staffing, transport, timings. Or perhaps it’s the case that this vendor does multiple events each weekend, and your wedding won’t be their only event. It could be that they are new to the industry – everyone needs to start somewhere – but have a good think about whether you want your wedding day to be someone’s test run. This is also a good area to consider your priorities – never compromise on the things you’re really excited about. However if you find a bargain that makes sense for you – go for it!
A NATURAL RAPPORT
You need to have a natural rapport with your wedding vendors. I cannot stress this one enough. There are probably multiple vendors who are available for your wedding date, who are on budget and who would do a great job. But do you get on with them? Does their vibe and energy match yours? Your wedding day is one of the most intimate occasions of your life. Make sure the people who are working around you are the kind of people you’ll be happy to experience this with.
COMMUNICATION
Communication is important, however it’s a balance. This is a tricky area, as I work with multiple suppliers who are so busy they don’t have a lot of time for emails and calls. I also understand how much reassurance you might need as clients. You’re spending a lot of money on a very important occasion and it needs to be right. However, try to understand that not every supplier will be able to give you attention constantly. As long as you’ve had a great intro call with them and they are responsive to emails if you have questions – trust the process and let them do their job. And if you feel that having consistent support and communication is what you need – I would recommend without hesitation that you book a wedding planner. We’re essentially your wedding PA / fairy godmother rolled into one!
If you’d like to know more about working with me – you can get in touch using my contact form.
