Planning for a wedding is stressful enough, and with a lot of vendor options out there, it can be overwhelming. We all want our wedding to be perfect. It is a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. Thus, booking the right vendor is very important. After all, your chosen vendors will deliver and create the wedding of your dreams into reality. Before you go look for and book your wedding vendors, here are some things that you must first decide on.
- Set a Budget.
You must have a generic idea of your budget and how it will be divided. By doing so, you can avoid booking a vendor that will eat up a large portion of your wedding money, and having to sacrifice on other areas of the event.
- Choose a Date
Determine a wedding date, even if it is an approximation just yet. Knowing when you will hold your wedding will guide you in the next steps of your planning.
- Determine your Wedding Theme.
Having a wedding theme will greatly help you in the planning process. There are so many options out there – from the bridal gown, the wedding cake, the invitation designs, the flowers, and so on. Having a theme will help you narrow down your options, and can immensely help in your decision making. You can then start looking at vendors who cater to your chosen theme.
- Determine your Guest Count.
This might be one of the most stressful parts of your planning. If only you can invite everyone you know, right? However, determining your guest list early on can help you decide on your venue. It can also help you in determining your catering fees as well.
- Decide if you will hire a Wedding Planner.
Decide early on if you will hire a professional wedding planner. Wedding planners take the guesswork out in a lot of decision making. They have information and years of experience that can help you in the planning process.
They can also give you recommendations and can help you in the negotiations with your vendors. Hire a wedding planner that has experience on your chosen wedding theme, and of course, someone who will fit your budget.
- Decide on your venue.
Your venue, like your theme, can affect the subsequent steps of your planning. Some venues have a preferred vendor list, and there are those who have an exclusive vendor list. In a venue with an exclusive vendor list, you can only use their chosen vendors. In a preferred venue list, you can still consider vendors of your choice.
- Know What Matters to you as Couple.
Knowing what matters to you both can help in your budget allocation, and of course, your vendor selection. If photography and videography are important to you, then you can allocate a larger budget for it, and choose the best professionals to cover your wedding.
Some Last Words Before you Sign that Contract
Contracts are legally binding, so it is important to read everything before you sign. Resist the temptation to just glance things over. Take your time to read each clause, and never hesitate to ask questions. Know what is included in their services and who will be there on the day of the wedding.
Read your contract, then read it again. You can also ask your fiancé or your wedding planner to read it too. Once you have signed it, you are liable for everything written on it.
Written by bleu events, one of the top event planners Columbia, MO has to offer.
