Yes, you are getting married and there is a high probability that this is not your 10th rodeo. The industry changes all the time, so even if you have done it before you’re still an novice when it comes to hiring the right vendors. It can be terrifying, you’ll hear about how your sister’s DJ completely bombed, but seemed like they knew what they were doing, and the photo booth company that had great reviews, they didn’t even show up. The horror stories stick with you while you are putting your wedding puzzel together, and you just hope that you’ve made the best choice with your wedding vendor. Back in February I did a “Ask a Wedding Planner” piece on Wedding Vendors on my own blog, Celia Rose, Inc., and besides the fact that I’m a Wedding Coordinator with a number one goal of battling the bad vendors one client at a time to ensure the best possible wedding for those who I work for, I’ve got the best tips for you when looking at potential vendors. Trust me, if you want to avoid the ugly, you’ll want to know what you are doing.

The first step in finding the right vendors is to know exactly what you are looking for. You may need help with only a little bit, you may need help with a lot. Either way, if you aren’t sure of what services you need to book it’ll be way easier for a vendor to talk you into their super duper flashy and expensive package that includes all their bells and whistles. Research your wedding needs before meeting with vendors and stick to what you are looking for.
Before you get started searching for vendors you need to acquaint yourself with what to look for in a good vendor. Look up everything from horror stories to positive stories on vendor relations and make sure you gear up for an interview. You may have purchased a wedding planning workbook and most times they include questions to ask potential vendors. You can also find free printable worksheets online. My personal favorite is Here Comes The Guide. They have free printable questions to ask potential vendors, accompanied by articles to help get ready for interviewing vendors.
Here’s a link to their available vendor relation articles:
- Wedding Planner
- Ceremony/Reception Venue
- Caterer
- Photographer
- Cake Designer or Bakery
- DJ or Live Entertainment
- Floral Designer
- Wedding Invitations
Picking the perfect vendors for your needs is ultimately your decision, however I do suggest getting a wedding planner. Use the same vendor rules I just outlined for you when searching for a coordinator, and know that you can cut your time in half, (as well as save money), when you team up with a coordinator that fits your needs. If you’re still a bit unsure about getting a wedding planner, take a look at this awesome article on Offbeat Bride – How My Wedding Planner Save Me So Much Money That She Paid For Herself, and Then Some.