WHICH ORDER SHOULD I FOLLOW WHEN HIRING WEDDING VENDORS?
You don't have to hire every vendor at once, but you'll want to get your top-tier crew assembled early in the planning process.
like many other boutique wedding vendors in the Hunter Valley I accept only a limited number of weddings each year because I strongly value work - life balance and I am blessed that this career affords me to do so. So if you love our style and think we’d be a great fit for your day we strongly encourage you to engage our services as soon as you can.
All the wedding checklists you've studied have their own suggestions for which order to use when contracting your wedding vendors. So how do you know where to start? Here’s out take on it.
Book the Venue
For almost every couple, booking the venue comes first. The location you choose informs just about every other part of the wedding. Once you know your wedding date, determine the number of guests your venue can accommodate, your investment for other vendors, the size of band you can hire, whether you need a caterer, and the number of floral arrangements that will fit in the venue. It's important to set the location before contracting other vendors, who won't (or shouldn't) commit without knowing they can get to your venue.
Hire a Wedding Planner
Hiring a wedding planner should also be a top priority—whether you commit to one before or after you choose a venue. We recommend reserving your venue first so you can guarantee that the coordinator you want is available. Without a secured venue and date, ultimately there is no way to ensure your vendor calendars will align. This is the same for any vendor, so couples can waste a lot of time going back and forth about potential dates—in the end, until a date is secured, they will not be able to book anyone.
But if you have your heart set on working with the coordinator your sister used or giving your best friend's event business the job, and you're willing to find a venue with an open date that matches the vendor's availability, then choosing a planner right at the start does have its benefits. Hiring a planner first can help you put the foundation in place from which your wedding can take shape. Planners can offer suggestions on vendors and venues that you may not have considered. They can also help guide you as to where the best allocation of your investment will be. You won’t want to spend three quarters of your investment on one area of the wedding at the expense of other vendors.
Hire the Photographer
We also recommend putting hiring a photographer at the top of your to-do list, especially if you're getting married in a popular area. Although there are so many amazing photographers, a photographer can only shoot one wedding a day, so securing your favourite one far in advance means that you will often get your first choice.
Choose Your Caterer, Followed by the Florist and Cake Designer
Once you've set your date and booked your venue, you can move on to other vendors. If you need external catering choose a caterer next, particularly if they're providing your rentals, since event packages can vary widely. Knowing what those options are can determine so many details, including your investment and the overall look and aesthetic you are going for. Once you know what kind of tables you're using, for example, we are better able to quote your centerpieces—whether they're garlands or standalone arrangements. And knowing what kind of dessert is included with your menu can help you narrow down your cake choices.
Book the Rest of Your Vendors
As the rest of your big-day vision comes together, you'll find a natural order for booking your stationer, musicians, hair and makeup artists, and the rest of your vendors—and you'll be able to coordinate the decisions you make in each area for a cohesive event.
But Be Sure to Hire Your Most Important Vendor Early
The only caution: Don't hesitate to book any vendor you consider a must-have, from the band that had everyone on their feet at your cousin's wedding, to the stationer who made your best friend's extravagant save-the-dates. In weddings, as in life, there are no hard rules. We suggest that couples follow the logical flow of vendors.
We are honoured to be part of such a wonderful wedding industry community in the Hunter Valley and are more than happy to provide to you our recommendations of venues, photographers, bakers and suppliers. You can view our Favourite Creatives list here.
Until next time
