If you’ve landed on this page, you’re likely newly engaged, have set a firm wedding date or starting to plan your special day (the one you want to make sure is perfect). Now you’re doing your research about how to choose services for your wedding. If that describes you, you’re in the right place as we’re going to share everything you need to know about selecting the right service providers for your event.
Your vendors are responsible for bringing life to your vision and making your big day a success. Therefore, the need to hire experienced and reputable vendors who can bring your vision into reality cannot be overemphasized.
So here are top tips for choosing your wedding service providers
IN THIS ARTICLE
Work with a wedding planner
There are lots of benefits attached to working with a wedding planner. Hiring a wedding planner makes the whole wedding planning process stress free and enjoyable. The wedding planner will guide you through the planning process of your special day and help you choose the perfect vendors. Often, wedding planners have trusted services they have worked with before and can they recommend.
Choose your venue first
If you haven’t chosen a firm date or venue, we recommend choosing one first. Choosing your wedding venue often gives you access to several tested and trusted vendors, as most venues will provide their recommendations. It is great to work with people familiar with the environment, although this isn’t always necessary. If you do not feel confident about their recommendations, feel free to explore other options.
Consider your budget
Truth is, vendors cost money. Therefore, before you start scrolling through websites and wedding directories to find suitable vendors, you and your partner or whoever is financially involved should have a candid conversation. You should decide your priorities about the budget and how you plan to allocate the budget. Write down your answers so you can refer to them throughout the process. This will help you consider a vendor who is not only experienced but also has a price that fits your needs and budget.
Surf through social media
No doubt, social media is a great resource when it comes to finding excellent wedding business companies. Companies post ads and pictures that show all the benefits they offer on their social media pages. This can help you find suitable people to work with, compare prices and see all you stand to gain with a company. On social media, you get to view their latest works to ensure they match your style.
Don’t overlook word of mouth
When it comes to choosing your core team, referrals should not be overlooked. Referrals are one of the best ways to find great vendors. Start by asking people at your venue about who they recommend; there is a high chance that if someone has done a wedding there before, she’s likely within your budget. You can also ask for recommendations from newlywed friends who’s personal and wedding styles match your own. Having someone that you trust their judgment recommend some excellent services they have used can take the pressure and uncertainty of you picking them yourself and hoping for the best.
Furthermore, we recommend chatting with previous clients of your prospective vendor to understand who they really are beyond their portfolio.
Trust your intuition
Always trust your intuition and go for synergy. If you do not feel secure, confident, and excited about working with a vendor, they are probably not the right fit for you. However, if you “vibe” with a vendor, you should consider them a potential candidate.
We recommend that you meet for a cup of coffee with your potential service provider to ensure you get on with them. A good first impression and real connection can help you to discover if you will like the personality of the service provider. Remember, you will be spending a lot of time with them during the planning process (many hours and even months), and on your wedding weekend, so you want to ensure you feel comfortable and happy around them.
Watch out for red flags
When talking to different service providers, make sure you get on with them, and they feel and share the excitement you have for your wedding day. If red flags such as not responding to emails or not getting back to you about any questions you may have promptly, a terrible attitude, and inefficiency crop up in a potential service provider, then you should consider not hiring the service provider.
Interview potential vendors
Once you know what you want and have an idea of who to approach, schedule an interview at a place where you’ll both be comfortable (or skype if the distance is a barrier). Share your clear vision. Ideally, you’ll find services that know what you’re going for, can offer help in areas that you’re unsure and can fit your vision with their abilities. Their vision and suggestions should work well with what you have in mind.
The person you choose should be creative, have innovative ideas, and be up to date on the latest trends. Also, make sure that you discuss all the services that will be provided in detail. Ask them how available they will be throughout the planning period and their standard rates and offers.
Choose your vendor
Once you have a shortlist of your wedding service providers, you need to choose which to book. Contact them to ensure they are not reserved for your date; as much as you love them, you may have to rule them out if they are not available. Getting a quote will help you compare their prices against your budget, which you may decide to compromise on for different suppliers.
However, price should not be your only basis for choosing a service provider. You should ensure that you get a mix of quality and value; paying more than you have budgeted for a service provider is worth it if you get that that epic band you have always wanted.
Read the contract/ Terms and conditions
As soon as you have decided to seal the deal with a service provider, they will work up their standard contract. Ensure basics such as logistics, the scope of services offered, terms of payment, payment schedule, the timeline for deliverables, cancellation policies as well as extra cost are included in the contract. Additionally, ensure you read the contract in its entirety to grasp what you are consenting to. You should not hesitate to ask questions if you do not know what something means.
In conclusion, even though choosing your wedding vendors can be stressful and time-consuming, it’s a gratifying experience. Don’t overwhelm yourself; give yourselves some breathing space and try as much as possible to avoid having to make hasty last-minute decisions. Hopefully, with these tips, you can keep a clear head throughout the process and find the right services for you.
Here at 3rd floors Tailors, we want you to have a perfectly fitted wedding dress for your big day (Remember you will look back at your wedding album for years to come, so you want to make sure you look and feel absolutely fabulous). We provide creative tailoring, professional alterations and custom-tailored wedding gowns designs that make you stand out on your wedding day. Schedule an appointment with our bridal designers today!
