As wedding planners we are the experts when it comes to picking the right vendors for each of our clients. Each wedding is unique, which means we have to be selective when picking the perfect vendor for every individual situation.
However if we were to give our top question for each of the key vendors that makes up your vendor team, these are considered the "must-asks":
Wedding Planner
"What does your package/service include?"
Know ahead of time exactly what services your day-of coordinator will and will not be able to provide on your wedding day. Some planners will only start working a week out, some will start working 8 weeks out. Some planners will work with the vendors you booked on your own, some will expect the vendors to be in charge of themselves. It is important to know what responsibilities will be delegated to whom to ensure a smooth running event.
Photographer
"Do you have a second shooter?"
It is SO important that your wedding photographer comes equipped with a second shooter. While the main photographer is taking images of you and your fiance, you need someone who can meanwhile go grab shots of the reception once it is finished being set-up. And sometimes skirting around the fray of the wedding day means that the second shooter can take a photo of a moment that otherwise may have been overlooked!
Reception Venue
"What are my rain plan options?"
An obvious question that not everyone thinks about right away when selecting a wedding venue. If it rains, will you have a plan in place? Does the venue have a plan in place? Is your venue even a viable option if it is torrential downpour? These are all questions you MUST ask your venue to ensure a stress-free planning process.
Caterer
"How many weddings do you do a weekend?"
Some caterers will only take one wedding or event a weekend, some will take several. And while that is okay either way, you must make sure they have a plan in place if they will be attending to several events that weekend. Having enough servers, managers, and supplies are crucial to ensure a smooth-running event. This question is also applicable to your cake designer and bar service!
Florist
"What if my favorite flowers are not in season?"
Many times we get brides who want a very specific flower for their wedding day, however those blooms are not always in season! When that is the case we usually can still get said flowers but they will be a little more pricey than they would be otherwise. On the rare occasions that we still cannot get our hands on the right flowers, we try and substitute with beautiful blooms that have the same look to them. Instead of peonies, you may get garden roses or ranunculus for example. Fluffy, fragrant, and beautiful. It's important to trust your florist to know the overall look you are hoping for and then letting them create their magic.
We hope that these questions help get you started thinking about what kind of vendors you are interested in for your big day. Like we said before, the plus side to hiring a wedding planner means that you do not have to worry about asking these questions yourself. Typically in our first meeting we can already tell you how each vendor works onsite and whether or not we would recommend them for your wedding day. And what is easier and more stress-free than that?!
Comment down below if you have any must-ask questions for vendors that you found were essential to keeping your wedding day stress-free!
Blog Infographic Image by Anne Almasy
