Wedding Planning 101: Essential Questions to Ask Your Vendors

When it comes to planning a wedding, choosing the right vendors can make all the difference. From the caterer to the florist, each vendor plays a crucial role in bringing your vision to life on your big day. To ensure that you’re working with the right vendors for your wedding, it’s important to ask the right questions. Here, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask each of your vendors to help you make the most informed decisions.

Caterer:

• Can you provide a sample menu?
• Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions?
• How much food will be served per guest?
• Will you provide a tasting before the wedding?
• Are there any additional fees for setup or breakdown?
• What is your policy on leftover food?

Photographer:

• Can I see a portfolio of your work?
• How many weddings have you shot?
• What is your style of photography?
• How long after the wedding will we receive our photos?
• How many photos will we receive?
• Do you offer packages or a la carte options?
• Will you be the one shooting the wedding, or will you have an assistant?

Videographer:

• Can I see a portfolio of your work?
• How many weddings have you shot?
• What is your style of videography?
• How long after the wedding will we receive our video?
• What is included in the video package?
• Will you be the one shooting the wedding, or will you have an assistant?
• Will you be using drones or other equipment to capture footage?

Florist:

• Can I see a portfolio of your work?
• How do you determine the cost of floral arrangements?
• How far in advance do I need to place my order?
• What types of flowers are in season during my wedding date?
• Can you work with my budget?
• What is your policy on delivery and setup?

DJ or Band:

• Can you provide a sample of your music?
• How many weddings have you played at?
• Do you take requests?
• Will you provide emcee services?
• What is your policy on breaks?
• How do you ensure that the music fits with our wedding theme?

Wedding Planner:

• Can you provide a portfolio of your work?
• What services do you offer?
• How many weddings have you planned?
• What is your policy on communication?
• How do you handle unexpected situations on the wedding day?
• Will you be present on the wedding day?

Officiant:

• What is your experience officiating weddings?
• Will you work with us to personalize our ceremony?
• What is your policy on religious or non-religious ceremonies?
• Can we write our own vows?
• Do you offer premarital counseling services?

Venue

• Can you accommodate our wedding size?
• What is included in the rental fee?
• What is your policy on catering and bar service?
• How many hours are included in the rental?
• What is your policy on decorating and setup?
• What is your policy on clean-up?

By asking these questions, you’ll have a better understanding of each vendor’s services, policies, and experience. This will help you make the most informed decisions when selecting your vendors for your wedding day. Remember to take notes during each conversation and compare your options before making your final decision. With the right vendors in place, your wedding day will be everything you’ve dreamed of and more.