How do you find your wedding suppliers?

Being able to find the right wedding suppliers is critical to planning your dream wedding…and it can also be quite stressful. How do you make sure you are hiring the right team and ensure they are the perfect match for you? How do you know who to trust? Where do you go for advice?

First of all, this is not an easy task and it’s totally normal for couples to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused. It’s not like you plan a wedding every day! This is all probably brand new to you, so it’s perfectly normal that there might be some confusion on just how to find the right wedding suppliers for your wedding.

Tips for finding your ideal wedding suppliers:

Do your homework.

You’ll get much more out of a meeting or conversation with a wedding professional if you do a little background homework first. Spend some time on the internet or talking to friends who’ve recently been married. Find out the average prices in your area and what services are available. Get an idea of what you like and don’t like. Wedding websites and chat rooms can be a great resource. This way when you meet with a wedding professional you’ll be able to ask better questions and have an idea of what to look out for.

Meet the DJ.

An in person meeting (or online video chat) is the best way to interview a potential wedding vendor. It lets you get the full experience of their personality, style and professionalism. If neither of those options are not possible, have a phone conversation.

Other questions you MUST ask a Wedding Professional BEFORE booking a DJ

How many weddings do you do per year? How much experience do you have?

This is an extremely important question. Ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will they be more skilled in their craft, this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly.

How much do you cost?

Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because they are worth it but do NOT get tricked into paying a high price because of Marketing Bridal Industry Awards

How much is the deposit? and is this amount included in the total?

Some wedding professionals may require a deposit in order to secure their products and/or services, which is not unusual. The amount required may vary and sometimes the deposit amount is in addition to the total on your quote. To help you with your budgeting be sure to ask how much they require, when it’s due and if the deposit payment will be deducted from your total after it’s paid.

What specifically is included in that cost?

Because packages often vary, it’s likely that you won’t be able to compare one vendor exactly to the next without doing a little figuring. The lowest cost isn’t necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.

What happens if I cancel?  What happens if you cancel?

Find out if your booking fee is refundable under any conditions. Does the wedding professional have a back up plan if something happens to them?

Are there any additional fees?

Taxes, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you’ll have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract.

Do you carry liability insurance?

The answer you’re looking for here is Yes. This protects you in case an unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It’s also a sign that this is a reputable business, since most “fly by night” operations don’t invest in insurance.

Hopefully you’ve found this information on how to find the right wedding suppliers for your wedding helpful. If you ever feel stuck, simply call Paul with over 30 years of experience in the wedding industry, we’re here to help (and if we can’t, chances are we will know someone who can).