Find Your Vendor Dream Team By Following This Checklist!
Selecting your Vendor Dream Team can seem like a daunting task but with a list of steps to follow it can become much easier. Whether you’re looking for a photographer, makeup artist, dj or anything in between, these steps should help you come out on top.
Define your needs - Before looking for vendors, talk with your partner to decide what your priorities are. Know your budget, the services you require and the style preferences you’re looking for.
Do your research - Look for vendors through online platforms, social media, wedding directories or recommendations from friends and family. Read reviews and check their portfolios and previous work. This step can seem overwhelming but remind yourself that you’re planning a big celebration and the effort you put in will more than pay off in the end.
Set up interviews - Schedule meetings, phone or video calls with potential vendors. This helps you get a feel for their personalities, professionalism and whether they align with your vision. Anyone can look like a fit on a website but talking with them will give you a better sense of how the two of you relate.
Ask lots of questions - During meetings or interviews, ask detailed questions about their experience, style, availability, packages, pricing and any specific requests you might have. Don’t hold back, this is your opportunity to really see how one vendor differs from another.
Review contracts - Ensure contracts are clear, detailing services, costs, timelines, cancellation policies and any extras. Seek clarification on any unclear points before signing. Here’s another tip, while contracts are often written in a legal manner that can seem difficult to follow the vendor should be able to explain things in normal terms. If all they do is read the contract out word for word, they probably don’t understand it any better than you.
Understand their expertise - Choose vendors with experience in weddings or events similar to yours. Specialists in your type of wedding (e.g., outdoor, cultural, destination) may better understand your unique needs.
Consider personality and communication - You'll be working closely with these vendors so having good chemistry and clear communication will go a long way. Ensure they understand your vision and are receptive to your ideas. Keep an eye out for red flags around communication such as extremely late replies or confusing you with other clients.
Flexibility and adaptability - Ensure the vendor can accommodate changes or unexpected circumstances. Their ability to adapt and problem-solve can be crucial on your Big Day. This sort of goes along with being professional - anyone stepping into the world of weddings needs to be able to change their approach if the situation calls for it.
Get it in writing - Once you've selected your vendors, ensure all details discussed are included in the contract. This is intended to protect both parties.
Trust your instincts - If something doesn't feel right or you're unsure about a vendor, trust your instincts. It's important to feel comfortable and confident in your choices otherwise you’ll be worrying about it later on down the road.
Start early - Vendors can get booked quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons. Start looking for vendors as early as possible to secure your preferred choices.
Remember, every vendor contributes to the success of your wedding day. Take your time in making decisions, communicate openly and choose vendors who not only fit your budget but also understand and align with your vision.