One of the most challenging things about getting married is finding and hiring the wedding suppliers. However large or small their roles may be, they will have a significant impact in the overall outcome of your wedding day. Because of this, it is imperative to take your time and follow some very simple steps to ensure you are hiring quality and reputable wedding professionals that you can trust.
It is a good idea to set a budget before you start. The budget will no doubt vary as you speak with suppliers but it will give you a starting point. My Ideal Wedding has an ideal ‘Budget Tool’ which makes this chore easy and fun. It will give you a guide to what you may expect to pay and lets you keep track of not only the overall cost but what has been spent and what is owing.
As you will soon discover, there is really no shortage of wedding suppliers in any given category. The goal is finding the professional that is right for you, not only with product, service and price, but with personality as well. The search for wedding day suppliers can begin in a number of places. Knowing where to look and what to look for will assist you in your search.
My Ideal Wedding
The perfect place to start is at the My Ideal Wedding website. Here you will find a host of suppliers sorted into categories and areas. With My Ideal Wedding’s unique filtering system you will soon be able to identify those suppliers who are best placed to make your day a special one.
Bridal Shows
The greatest value in bridal shows is the opportunity to meet with a large number of wedding suppliers and view many products at one time, in one location. You can find an extensive list of Bridal Shows and Wedding Exhibitions on My Ideal Wedding. There are many categories of suppliers represented at the shows, making it an invaluable tool for doing research and for gathering wedding-related information. When you find suppliers you are particularly interested in, make a note of their details and call soon after the show to book a personal one on one appointment.
Ceremony and Reception Location
The locations you select for your wedding day are quite familiar with particular suppliers, and usually have a preferred supplier list. The suppliers on this list have worked at that site many times before and are familiar with the logistics and rules of the location.
Friends and Family
You will usually get honest no nonsense answers and opinions regarding products and services when you ask married friends and family members (even co-workers) about their own weddings. Ask them about their suppliers, the services they used, what they liked and didn’t like, would they hire them again, etc.?
The Internet
The Internet is an easy access, easy to use, anytime resource. You can find a wealth of suppliers on the web. Checking out a supplier’s web site can give you a good idea of pricing, packages, and type of work they do before making a personal appointment.
Local Bridal Magazines
Using local wedding magazines and directories can at first seem overwhelming, as there are a large number of advertisements in these publications. You can, however, find excellent suppliers in the magazines, but it will take some calling around to acquaint yourself with these suppliers.
Wedding Planners/Consultants
Wedding consultants have several pre-established relationships with local suppliers. If you are working with a consultant, they should be able to provide you with preferred supplier list. However, if you are not working with a consultant, you can still benefit from this knowledge, as most consultants will share their preferred supplier list with you for a fee.
Conclusion
Once you have made your final decisions, you must get a written contract. Call the supplier to confirm the details and ask for a contract to be sent to you. A contract is the best way of ensuring you and the vendor understand what is expected, as it should outline specifics such as dates, times, names, and types of services/products provided. It will also spell out payment plans, refund and cancellation policies. It behooves you to read and understand the contract. Do not assume you have secured a vendor for your wedding day until you have a contract that is signed by you and the supplier. And finally remember, part of getting the most from a supplier’s service is also being a good client and providing the suppliers with the payments and other requested information in a timely manner.
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