Planning a wedding is an exhilarating journey filled with endless possibilities, from selecting the venue to designing the perfect cake. However, one crucial aspect that can make or break your special day is choosing the right suppliers. Whether it’s the florist, photographer, or stylist each supplier plays a pivotal role in bringing your vision to life. Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the process of finding the perfect suppliers for your dream wedding.
Start Early:
Time is your best friend when it comes to wedding planning. Begin researching and reaching out to potential suppliers as soon as you’ve set a date for your wedding. This allows you to have a wide range of options and ensures that you secure your preferred suppliers before they get booked by other couples. Most suppliers will only take one booking a day, they can only be in one place at a time! So this is super important. If you like a supplier and want to work with them, BOOK THEM!
Do Your Research:
This is a massive one for us, in a world of stock images and AI, please please please, do your research! Ask your venue, ask friends and family, ask suppliers you already have booked! Yes, look at wedding directories, review websites, and social media platforms, to research potential suppliers, but please look closely. Only this week I have seen a supplier using images from another florist showcasing her ‘work.’ I’ve found photos of our work on Shutterstock, available for the world to use! If there is a particular photo from a supplier you love, reverse search it, check it’s their work, usually it will stand out from the rest of their images, if it’s not their work. Now, I’m not saying that anyone using stock images is going to not produce similar work, just be careful and do your research, ask for photos of their recent weddings. Ask if you can meet up and see mock ups before the day.
Finally, play close attention to reviews and testimonials from past clients to gauge the quality of their work and level of customer satisfaction.
Set a Budget:
This is also super important, having a budget in mind for each supplier, with help with sourcing the right suppliers and will hopefully stop the overspending. Be transparent about your budget when communicating with suppliers to ensure that their services align with your financial constraints. In a world where everything is showcased, yes I’m looking at you Instagram! it is so easy to want everything. The 8 tier cake, the floral arches in every doorway, but if you set a budget at the start, stick to it. Most suppliers will work with you, to create a vision. We don’t want you to get into debt, have endless sleepless nights worrying about how you are going to pay for everything. Suppliers are here to work with you to create the most beautiful day!
Meet in Person or Virtually:
Once you’ve shortlisted a few potential suppliers, schedule meetings or video calls to discuss your wedding vision in detail. Use this opportunity to ask questions, view portfolios, and discuss pricing and package options. Pay attention to the supplier’s communication style, professionalism, and willingness to accommodate your requests. Just because they are ‘award winning’ ‘the best in the industry’ ‘nominated for 300 awards…’ you don’t have to use them, you are going to work so closely with all of your suppliers, you need to be comfortable with them, but also know that they are providing you their best possible service. For example, we invite everyone to our showroom for a ‘no obligation’ appointment, we need to know we are a good fit for each other, that we can create the vision you are looking for. There is never any pressure to book on the day, booking suppliers is a big deal, so you need to have time to think about it carefully.
Review Contracts Carefully:
Before committing to any supplier, review their contract carefully (Make sure they have a contract!) and ensure that all terms and conditions are clearly outlined. Pay attention to details such as payment schedules, cancellation policies, and any additional fees or charges. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to seek clarification from the supplier before signing the contract.
Trust Your Instincts:
Ultimately, trust your instincts when selecting suppliers for your wedding. Choose suppliers who not only possess the necessary skills and expertise but also make you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to bring your vision to life.
My last tip is, if it seems to good to be true, it usually is. Good wedding suppliers are worth their weight in gold and finding the right suppliers for your wedding can be a daunting task, but with careful research, planning, and communication, you can assemble a dream team that will help make your special day truly unforgettable. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating the wedding of your dreams, surrounded by the ones you love, and executed flawlessly by a team of talented professionals.
Photographer – @kellyhiscoxphotography Concept & planning – @kathrynleighweddings
Venue – @oddhousefarm Content creator – @kat.shot.this Styling – @nuptiaweddings
Cutlery Hire – @stylishweddings Stationery – @lilyandpearlstationery Florist – @wildbynatureflorist
Cake – @thecakequeenlincoln Make up – @beckygouldmakeupartist
Hair Stylist – @charlotteheather_bridalhair Models – @we_are_fernandez
Dress – @bridalrelovedleicester Suit – @the_suit_lounge
Celebrant – @hayleysmithcelebrant Classic Car – @classicdrivehire Accessories – @laurellimebridal