Choosing the right vendor(s)

For most couples, a wedding reception is the culmination of many months (sometimes years) of careful planning and execution.  Yet most couples have never planned an event of this magnitude before.  So how can you make sure you have the very best for your wedding?

The answer is simple.  Choose the right vendors.  Whether you're looking for a location, a photographer, a catering company or a disc jockey, you can apply the same principles and criteria to make your selection:

Define Your Needs

Do you want a DJ or a band?

Do you want a buffet or a sit-down meal?

Do you want an all-inclusive package or do you want to have more flexibility in choosing your vendors/services.

Make a list of all the things that are important to you

Establish Your Budget and Prioritize

Determine what is most important to you.

Is a formal dinner more important than magnificent pictures?

Is a designer cake more important than a fun Disc Jockey?

Do you really want to have 400 people at your wedding or would you rather have it more intimate?

Rank your priorities in order of importance

Establish a preliminary budget

Request Preliminary Information

Identify and contact between five and ten vendors of each type

Establish a range for price and service

Determine the average price for each service

Rank vendors in order of preference

Review Your Budget and Adjust Priorities

Use average prices to revise your budget

Review and revise your priorities

Narrow Your Search

Interview in person the top 2-3 vendors for each category

Shop for value, not price

It's not what you pay, it's what you get for what you pay

Check vendor references

Confirm availability

Request written contract

Hire Your Preferred Vendor