Wedding Planning 101 - Part 3 Finding Your Vendors (The Merits of Using A Wedding Planner)

The budget is set and so is your date.  Now it is time to think about hiring the best vendors to meet your needs.  You will probably need a florist, a caterer, a DJ, a photographer and/or videographer.  You may also need a bartender, a limo service and someone to make the cake.  This list includes just a few of the most common vendors needed to make your event memorable.  To most couples this list may seem endless.  So how do you tackle the task of finding vendors to suit your needs?  And how do you compare apples to apples when looking for vendors?  


To make your search a little easier, I am compiling a list of the top 10 questions that every couple should ask each vendor. Keep in mind this list is merely a starting point.  For each category of vendors there are also some very industry specific questions that will help narrow down your search.  

I would be remiss in my duties as an Event Planner if I didn't plug my industry right about here.  Should you hire a wedding planner for your event?  Each couple must answer this question according to their own needs.  In the past the mere mention of the phrase wedding planner immediately brought visions of $$$$ signs to mind. Today, with the variety of services that wedding planners offer, something can usually be tailored to fit almost any bride's budget.  The services a planner offers can run the gamut from day-of-ceremony coordination only to planning the wedding from beginning to end. 
 
When deciding whether to hire a professional wedding planner keep the following points in mind.  Do you really have the time and inclination to scout out the resources and vendors needed for your wedding and how skillful are you at negotiating the price with each of them?  Do you have the skills to get the best values or services for your money and how do you compare them in order to find out if you are really getting the most for your money?  


Do you want to relax and enjoy your special day knowing that everything is taken care of down to the tiniest detail or would you rather spend the night before your big day stressing over every minute detail of your DIY (Do It Yourself) wedding?  If you answered yes to the stress, have at it with my blessings.  Don't get me wrong, it can be done if you are very organized.  But if the very thought of planning your wedding overwhelms you, then stop here and consider adjusting your budget to include hiring a wedding planner.

In reality, using a wedding planner can save you money in the long run because wedding professionals usually have an established network of vendors that they use for events whose quality they can readily vouch for.  Few wedding planners would recommend another vendor who did not make the wedding planners own job easier or who acted unprofessionally when hired for an event.  After all, it is the planner who is ultimately responsible for the overall flow of the wedding.  


One additional advantage of using a wedding planner is that these professionals know where to find the deals.  They have the power of numbers on their side and can often buy in bulk to create better price points than most individuals can find.  Also, an experienced planner will know which vendors will work well with which clients.

If after reading this you still decide to forgo the wedding planner then tune in for my next post where I will talk about the vital questions to ask vendors before contracting them.