Avoid some of the biggest mistakes couples make when booking wedding vendors.
Wedding vendors are the puzzle pieces that complete the big picture of your wedding day. They offer professionalism and relieve stress as they handle all the work necessary. Wedding vendors are necessary, and it’s essential to plan diligently to have the best experience with them.
Tackle wedding planning the right way and avoid some of the biggest mistakes couples make when booking vendors.
Spending Too Much on One Vendor
Your budget is the most critical aspect of your wedding. While this isn’t the most fun part of wedding planning, it’s essential when looking for wedding vendors. A common oversight couples make is spending too much money on one vendor.
At the beginning of wedding planning, the first step is establishing your budget. Talk with your partner about a budget that everyone is comfortable with. Discuss how much of your wedding budget will go toward specific vendors, such as:
- Wedding planners
- Catering
- A DJ or band
- A florist
- A photographer
Overspending on one wedding vendor may impact your selection for other vendors because you’ll have a lower remaining budget to allocate. Sticking to your budget will help you avoid spending too much on one area.
Picking the Cheapest Vendor
Just because you’re sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you have to choose the cheapest option for all your vendors. Choosing vendors solely on price isn’t the best way to decide which will be best for your wedding.
While budget is important to consider, you want to select a vendor that also provides quality service. You want to work with a company that offers the service you need, has excellent customer service, and does what you ask.
If your budget is tight, prioritize which vendor is most important for your big day. If having a large buffet and hors d’oeuvres is the most important thing to you, allocate more of your budget to catering and lower the budget in areas that aren’t as essential.
Waiting Too Long
Timing is key when it comes to wedding planning. Wedding vendors will book up fast, especially if your wedding is during peak seasons. If you’re looking to book one of the most popular photographers, hair and makeup professionals, or DJs, give yourself more than six months to schedule them. You also don’t want to book the wrong wedding venue because you started planning too late.
While it’s essential to book vendors early, it is possible to book too early. If you don’t have a wedding date sealed yet or your wedding is a few years away, it’s better to wait and book wedding vendors when there is a solid plan or date on the calendar.
Not Having a Contingency Plan
While you can plan for a perfect wedding day, sometimes the unexpected happens. When a situation occurs that’s out of your control, it’s important to discuss contingency plans with all your wedding vendors.
A contingency plan is a vendor-specific backup arrangement in case something doesn’t go as planned. A smart way to create a contingency plan is to discuss all the possible situations that could impact your current wedding plan and devise a solution. If a storm is forecasted for your wedding day, talk to your vendors about a plan for where they will set up equipment and bring food, and how they will notify people of schedule changes. This will ensure you and all your wedding vendors are on the same page if something happens on your wedding day.
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE
Nestled in a peaceful wooded area in the heart of downtown Columbia, Historic Oakland Manor stands proudly in natural splendor. Elegant Oakland is the perfect setting for ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal showers, holiday parties, family celebrations, business meetings, or retreats. Schedule a tour today with our expert venue coordinators! Please call (410-730-4801), email ([email protected]), or visit our chat on our homepage to book a tour appointment.