Wedding Vendor Checklist for the Organized Bride
There’s no doubt that wedding planning takes up a lot of time, energy and resources. And your head might be spinning a little bit … Your wedding will be one of the biggest days of your life, so it’s normal to want everything from the centerpieces to the cake to be absolutely perfect.
First things first: you can’t have a wedding until you lock down your vendors! Instead of focusing on the billion little details all at once, starting with the bigger picture might help make the planning process run smoothly.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out this prioritized checklist of basic wedding vendors you’ll want to secure sooner than later:
Venue
Once you and your groom discuss your wedding vision, start your planning process with securing the venue. Most wedding venues are booked far out in advance, even up to a year. Explore the many types of venue choices available – chapel, country club, hotel, estate – and get booking!
Wedding Planner
After the venue is checked off the list, consider searching for a wedding coordinator or planner if wedding planning isn’t really your thing. Many people like keeping their wedding planning needs in the hands of an expert. Utilize your resources and do your research when searching for a wedding coordinator or planner – you’ll want someone who will do what it takes to make your wedding vision a reality!
Catering
Catering is a staple to every wedding. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy the cocktail hours and dinners weddings have to offer? As you move down the checklist, make sure you have your caterer arranged to secure a professional, quality vendor.
Florist
Now it’s time to move forward with obtaining the florist. A wedding without flowers is like a desert without sand, right? Not only do flowers bring an elegance and classic feel to any wedding, but they also bring a pop of color and will tie together a theme.
Centerpieces
After the florist is booked, look into your centerpieces. Don’t be afraid to splurge a little bit, either! Centerpieces can be grand and luxurious, minimal and chic, or anything in between, depending on your wedding vision. Bring your Pinterest wedding board to life by adding centerpieces you’ve been eyeing for years.
Photographer
Don’t continue to push “book photographer” to the bottom of your checklist. Once your big day is finally here, you’ll want to look back on it forever. You don’t want to miss out on capturing one of the biggest days of your life!
Tuxedo & Suit Rental
Finally, it’s time to start researching the tuxedo and suit vendor with your groom. Have a conversation with your groom about his personal style and what matches the wedding style best. It’s recommended to book your styles 6 months prior to the wedding to ensure ample time for alterations.
Remember, once you have the majority of the big planning tasks out of the way, you can focus on the things you really want to plan like your bridal hair and makeup, and your wedding dress. Happy planning and booking!