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First steps
Let’s begin to build your wedding dream team!
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1 Vendor Research 2 Location!
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Q&A
When you are researching and ultimately Use the vendor questions as a guide when
interviewing vendors, here are a few talking with venues but a few details to
suggestions to help get the process under note that are specific to venues include: null
way: • How many people can the space
How do wedding planners work
• Narrow your list down to no more than hold when guests are seated at tables?
3 candidates per category. Sometimes Remember you also need room for a
and do I really need one?
finding three in a category won’t be dance floor and if you are planning a
Even if you plan to only hire a
possible because there are only 1 or 2 buffet be sure there is plenty of extra
day-of wedding planner, (and if
companies in your area who provide that space for that too.
you weren’t planning to, I hope
service and that’s ok. • Do they have restrictions regarding you’ll reconsider) I put planners
• When you meet with them, confirm vendors you can hire? Some places will at the top of the list of vendors
if they are available for your wedding. not allow outside officiants, musicians or
you should hire. Many planners
Something may have changed since caterers, for example, and you need to
will, once you’ve hired them, give
you scheduled your appointment and know this in case you have your heart set
you their list of recommended
obviously if they aren’t available you on one specific vendor.
don’t want to continue the meeting. • Do you allow photography or
vendors to guide you while you
• Pay attention to their portfolio of work. videography? This is mainly an issue
set about planning your wedding.
Does their style seem at all similar to your with churches and temples. You would
Having this list is like gold!
wedding style? Show them your inspiration be surprised how many will not allow
Filled with tried and true, quality
board. They should then be able to show photography, so be sure to ask! vendors, this list can save you a
you events they’ve worked on which are • Are you allowed to bring in tenting, buses, ton of time, trial and error and
similar. If they can’t, it doesn’t necessarily restroom trailers, lighting equipment or
very possibly money which might
mean they can’t help you, but this may any other specialty type of equipment?
be spent on unreliable or under
be new territory for them and you might Some clubs will not allow you to put a
experienced vendors.
not want them experimenting on your tent on their lawn while some driveways
wedding. to venues can’t accommodate buses.
There are 3 main types of
• What is your instinct about this person? This can be a problem not only if you rent
planning services. First is the
Do you like them? This is important. Your buses for your guests but also many bands full-service coordinator. This level
wedding day is a very emotional day travel on buses and they need to get their of planner is by your side through
and you do not want someone around equipment loaded and unloaded.
every decision from dresses to
who rubs you the wrong way. Because if • Are their restrictions on when the
invitations to gift bags –
they do now, it is very likely that they will wedding can start or must end by?
through it all you have a
drive you to distraction when you are in Many vineyards in our area do not allow
the throws of the actual day. So, trust your festivities to begin until after 6:00 p.m..
constant companion.
gut – you should like this person! Some venues have noise ordinance
Next is the partial event planner.
• When are fees paid and what forms of restrictions and can’t have any amplified Typically this is someone whom
payment do they accept? Lots of vendors music playing after a certain time. These you meet with a few times during
take credit cards while others only take are all important to know upfront.
the planning process, and is a
checks. You can get checks from your • What does the rental fee include?
resource for you to turn to when
credit card company if you need, to but Are there any additional fees we need
you need advice but for the most
it may take time to get these so you’ll to know about? For example, some
need to take that in to account so that churches require you to hire their organist
part you are planning the wedding
you don’t make any late payments. I but it is a separate fee from the church
yourself.
don’t recommend you make payments rental fee. You don’t want any surprises
Finally, is the day-of wedding
in cash. Only tips should be in cash. I think on the final bill, so be sure to ask.
planner. Typically, this planner
it’s safer to make payments via check or doesn’t assist with any of the
credit card so that there is a paper trail… More questions can be found on our planning process. They simply
just in case. website in the planning tools section!
take your plan and help to execute
it at both the ceremony rehearsal
and on the wedding day.
Continued on page 40
TheWeddingPlannerMag.com 37
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