We know that a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and ideas come to mind the minute you think about planning your wedding. But finding the right vendors may not be among those first thoughts as you journey into wedding planning season. 

And we get it! This time can be quite overwhelming. Yet the key to throwing a successful wedding can arguably be boiled down to finding the right vendors. And not just any vendors. 

To throw the wedding of your dreams, you need to find the right vendors for you and your event.

Read on to learn the process of finding the right vendors for your special day!

Step One – Budgeting

First things first, you need to create a budget. This is where all plans begin and end, so sit down with your partner and really consider how much you’re willing to spend on our wedding. 

One of our favorite quotes here is: 

“Choose a vendor in your budget or change your budget…not the other way around.”

If you don’t have an exact number, that’s okay. At the very least, have a number you are unwilling to go over. This will be helpful whenever it comes to researching your vendors. Make sure you stay within your price range, even while just browsing, because falling in love with a certain videographer or florist out of your price range is no fun.

While creating your budget, also make a note of which vendors you would like to prioritize. For example, if you and your partner are foodies, set more money aside for your caterer. If you rather have the best photographer you can find, set more aside for that. 

When it comes to your wedding, it’s your world, and we’re all just living in it! So be honest with yourself about what you want and what’s most important to you.

Step Two – Research

Here comes the fun part: research.

This is where Google becomes your best friend, or if you have us as your wedding planner, we’ll be your BFFs cause we’ll do all this for you! And best part is we already have a compiled list of qualified vendors that we start from. 

As you start your research, remember that as much as you want to find the right vendor, the right vendor wants to be found. So search any keywords you can think of. Location, desired vendor, price range, etc., are all great places to start. 

However, before you speak to any vendors, make sure that you have a few set preferences in mind to help gauge if they will be the right fit. If you meet and still don’t know, ask questions and get clarity on anything that may not be extremely obvious that comes with their service.  

You can ask for past work, for their prices, any referrals, and even a few personal questions. They may be offering their services but don’t hesitate to get to know them. Your vendors will be hands-on on the biggest day of your life, so making sure your personalities mesh well is always a great idea.

Once you get all the information you want from the available/desired vendors, it’s back to the drawing board you go.

Step Three – Compare

Have you ever heard the quote, “comparison is the thief of joy?” Yeah, well, that doesn’t apply here.

With the list of information you’ve gathered, take time to compare what each vendor is offering, their prices, how well you feel you connected with them, and start making some decisions.

Remember, at the end of the day, it’s up to you and your partner. So don’t sway one way or another for any reason other than because you both decide to.

Another tip? Once you’ve made your decision, sleep on it. Each vendor is a part of bringing together your day, so make sure you’re 100% confident in your choice.

We hope that this helps you start on the journey! If you would like more information on choosing the right vendors or more resources on all things wedding, keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram page for our Wedding Planning Course coming out soon. This course will include many resources we’ve accumulated over the last seven years, Live Q+A, peer support, and so much more, all in one place for you to use as you will.