When you are newly engaged entering into the wedding world can be a whole new experience for most brides. The first steps of planning usually involves booking your vendors and securing your date. But when it comes to interviewing, and researching different vendors a lot of brides struggle with what is important to ask up front. Today I am breaking down a few basic questions that you should ask your vendors before booking them. The more you know if Brent can help you in the long run while planning such an important day
Venue
- Do you require an additional insurance policy? If so for what amount?
- Do you require a day of coordinator?
- Do you have required vendors or just preferred options?
- What is the timing and accessibility to the venue before and after the wedding?
- Rain plan?
- Be sure to discuss location options for ceremony and reception. This will help you mentally plan how many people you can accommodate.
- What is included in our rental agreement? Chairs? Tables? Linens? Generators? Any staff?
- Additional fees or add-ons?
Florist
What flowers are in season during my wedding time frame?
- What flowers are in season during my wedding time frame?
- Make sure to ask about installation charges if you were planning any elaborate greenery or floral placement.
- What is the cost for vases included in my arrangements?
- If you want fresh flowers for your cake, be sure to add them from the beginning
- Is there any charge to store arrangements overnight and refrigerators?
- Delivery charges?
- Will you be returning at the end of the night to collect any arrangements, vases or decor?
Wedding planner or coordinator
- Do you charge any travel fees for meetings or the wedding?
- If there is a venue coordinator on site how will you coordinate those responsibilities?
- What are your priorities day of?
- When does our communication start? (This will apply to month of or day of coordination)
- How much of the set up and clean up are you able to assist with?
- How many people will be on your team?
- Will you be present at the rehearsal dinner?
- How many hours are you avaible day of?
DJ
- Will you provide your own generators or power source if needed?
- What kind of microphones do you have?
- Will you provide your own table and linen for reception and ceremony set up?
- Do you have any travel fees?
- How do you handle guest requested songs?
- Will you be present at the rehearsal dinner if needed?
Catering
- How many staff members will you have present day of?
- When are final guest counts do to you?
- what happens to all the leftover food?
- Will you provide takeout boxes?
- Will your set up require any power sources?(this is great to keep in mind if you are having a tented reception and require generators)
- Will your team provide the ABC license if needed?
- Be sure to discuss how the meal will be served, Buffet, family style, or served by staff members.
- Layout details of what the catering staff will be expected to do. Will they be assisting with cleanup and set up? Will some of the staff be released after dinner?
Photographer
- What is included in your wedding packages? Engagement shoot? Bridal portrait? Boudoir photo shoot?
- What are your hours for the day off?
- Will you have a second shooter with you?
- Can we see some of your previous wedding work?
- What is the turnaround time on our images?
- Will we have access to download the images and the rights to the images?
- Is it possible to customize a package to fit my needs?
- Do you have any travel fees?
- Will you be submitting our wedding to any publications or blogs?
These are some great jumping off points for any vendor meeting. Nowadays, be sure to address any cancellation, rescheduling, or reduced attendee scenario with your vendor before booking them. Even non-Covid related changes can cost you a bundle if they are not addressed in the contract before hand. If you have more questions or are interested in planning assistance, send me an email below! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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