So you’ve found the venue of your dreams and booked your wedding day, but what’s next? Let’s walk through the list of things that you need to book after getting engaged and booking a venue.
First things first, I would recommend finding a wedding planner. I have talked to so many couples who think they don’t need a wedding planner because they have planned parties before and assume that planning their wedding day will be a similar project. I promise you, it is not the same! You cannot be the one doing all of the planning, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, AND enjoying your day at the same time. A wedding planner and/or coordinator will work with you to create the wedding day of your dreams. They will have connections with the best vendors, have experience in the industry, and handle everything on the day of the wedding so that all you need to do is live in the moment. Another benefit of a planner is that they can be the middleman between you and your family/guests. If there are money conversations or boundaries that need to be set, a wedding planner will be able to handle this with expertise.
HERE is my list of wedding planners and coordinators that I have worked with and trusted with my clients. I love the high quality of their work and really appreciate how well they communicate with vendors before the wedding day.
Next, of course, is the wedding photographer. Obviously, I am a wedding photographer and would love to recommend myself to everyone, but it is not as simple as that. When you are looking to hire a wedding photographer, you need to make a decision that is right for you. I’m sure you will get several recommendations from family and friends, but it is important that you do your research and choose someone with a style that you love. Look at their portfolio, their previous weddings, and their editing style. Another thing to look for is how helpful they are when communicating with you. You want someone who is attentive and responsive, so you know you will be taken care of throughout the process.
Once you’ve locked in a photographer, it is time to start looking for a hair and makeup artist. It may seem like this would be lower on the list, but finding the right artist is important, and they are usually very busy. In order to book a consultation and practice appointment before the big day, you should start reaching out as soon as you can. A good florist is next on the list. Your wedding planner will have recommendations for you on this! Once you get to know your planner and give them a sense of your style and preferences, they will know just what to look for in a wedding florist.
Many couples like to hand-pick their ceremony officiant, and I love that. Choosing someone special to you or someone you know personally can make your ceremony more personal and intimate. Whether it is a sibling or an officiant from your venue, you should decide early on who you would like to officiate and make sure that they are available. After this, you can move on to catering and the wedding cake. Again, your wedding planner will have insights into which vendors will fit your needs and help you book them. Last on my list is a DJ and videographer. For videographer recommendations, I would suggest talking to your wedding photographer. They work in such similar industries that they may be able to recommend an artist with a similar style to their own.
So, there you have it! This is my wedding vendor checklist for newly engaged couples. If you take a look at my portfolio and feel like I could be a good fit for you, please reach out!
