Total Guide to Weddings: Choosing the right suppliers

In the first of two parts to come from Love To Plan, we look at choosing the suppliers when planning a wedding.

Wedding Suppliers – Choosing the right ones for you

Making supplier choices for your big day is a serious, time-consuming job and is not to be taken lightly!

It’s most likely the first time that you’ve organised a wedding, and with each element of your wedding (venue / photography and so on) potentially costing a great deal of money, it’s difficult to know who to put your faith, and hard-earned cash into.

So where to begin? How to go about it? Read on for a few top tips!

There are a great many ways to find potential suppliers as follows:

• Internet searches
• Word of mouth
• Venue preferred suppliers
• Local press wedding features
• Wedding magazines
• Visit Wedding Fayres
• Hire a Wedding Planner

 
Before arranging a meeting, through to attending it, be mindful of the below:

• Is the first meeting free of charge and of no-obligation?
• Have a clear idea of your requirements and your wedding theme.
• Have a good idea of your budget.
• Allow them to be the experts and guide you in the right direction.
• Take notes.
• Go with your head, not your heart!

 
During your meeting, and as a result of it – bear the following in mind:

• Are they able to refer you to a branded website?
• Are they professional and confident in their dealings with you?
• Reputation / credibility - do they offer to show you their references / testimonials?
• Don’t feel pressured into making a decision there and then unless you are completely confident

 
So you’ve met with them and now it’s decision time, but just before you book:

• Listen to your gut reaction.
• Do you like them?
• Ensure a contract / agreement is in place and read it thoroughly before signing.
• Beware of cash deals, even if they are tempting.

So…there’s a lot to consider isn’t there?! Making the right supplier choices is essential to the success of your very special day, so don’t make your decisions lightly.