9 Tips On Finding & Booking Your Wedding Day Vendors
After you've booked your wedding venue, it's time to begin the journey of identifying your wedding day vendor dream team! At D’Vine Grace Vineyard we've put together 9 Tips On Finding & Booking Your Wedding Day Vendors, including how to find them, what questions to ask all of your vendors, and what you should do before and after paying your deposit to reserve your wedding date.
1. Determine Wedding Day Goals, Style & Budget
Before you begin your wedding day vendor search you'll want to identify your wedding budget, style, wedding day vision and how each vendor should play a role in your big day.
2. Ask Your Wedding Venue If They Have a Preferred Vendor List
Once you have booked your wedding venue, you'll want to ask them if they have a preferred vendor list of well-vetted, highly seasoned wedding vendors. Most wedding venues have loads of personal experience working with wedding vendors they recommend. At D'Vine Grace Vineyard we have a preferred vendor list of vendors we trust ready for you at the time of your venue tour or book. If you would like a copy of our list, please email info@dvinegrace.com.
3. Research Wedding Vendors On Google, The Knot, & Social Media
After you have reviewed your preferred vendor list, begin visiting their website and social media profiles to see their work before you call them. Most wedding vendors will ask you if you have viewed their work, and at the end of the day it's super important to view their portfolios before reaching out so you can have a point of reference for your phone call or video consultation.
4. Request Pricing & Custom Quotes To Your Needs
Love their work? Great! The next step is to request a price guide & take the time to actually review all of their options before you schedule a meeting to have them walk you through it. Most wedding vendors also offer fully customizable options, so don't be afraid to ask for a custom quote if you don't see exactly what you are looking for on their price list. Also, don't be afraid to share the budget you were thinking for that wedding vendor. Your wedding vendors are there to educate you, guide you, and help your wedding day dreams come true!
5. Schedule Video Consultations or Meet Your Potential Wedding Vendors In Person
After thoroughly reviewing their pricing guide and quotes they may have sent you, go ahead and schedule a video consultation to e-meet them, or meet them in person for coffee to get to know them and understand their process.
6. Build Personal Rapport & Learn More About Their Industry Experience
Focus on the rapport: Does conversation feel natural or forced? Do you trust him/her? Are you excited to work with this person? Do you love their work and do they have years of experience in their industry niche?
The questions you should ask every vendor:
What's your story?
Why and how did you get into this business?
What does the process look like, during the planning and on the day of?
What's your availability, during the planning and on the day of?
What's your preferred mode of communication?
How much is the deposit to reserve my wedding date?
Are their fees involved with paying by credit card or how can I avoid additional fees?
Can they customize a payment plan?
7. Don't Rush Your Decision & Trust Your Instincts
If you're on the fence, feel free to communicate that to your wedding vendor prospects and let them know your hesitations (if applicable). Just like falling in love, you should be head over heels for your wedding vendors and excited to work with them!
8. Review Your Contract & Payment Options
Read, read, read! Don't sign anything until you have read their contract in full. Don't hesitate to ask your wedding vendors clarifying questions about their contract if you don't fully understand something. If you have a wedding planner, they are a great resource as a second pair of eyes on your wedding vendor contracts. While most vendors have standard payment plans for clients, don't hesitate to ask if custom payment options are available.
9. Ask About Next Steps After Signing the Contract
After you have signed your wedding vendor contracts, make sure to ask them what next steps are and when you should expect to hear from them. Feel free to go ahead and schedule your next phone call or in-person meeting.
AFTER YOU SAY "I DO"
Also, after your wedding day has passed, don't forget to give your vendors shout-outs, reviews, and referrals online and to friends and family. Most wedding vendors are small, family owned businesses, so your kind words and kudos go a long way and mean the world to them.
Thank you again for taking the time to read our blog. At D’Vine Grace Vineyard we are constantly looking for ways to serve as a resource to all of our couples, so stay tuned to future blogs for more great tips, planning, and wedding inspiration from happy couples who have hosted their wedding at our luxurious venue.
As always, we wish you all the best of luck planning your wedding day! Please let us know how we can be a resource in the meantime and feel free to reach out to us at info@dvinegrace.com to let us know how we can serve you.
Sending love and positive vibes from the entire team at D’Vine Grace Vineyard!