Drafting Your Best Wedding Vendor Team

Planning a wedding is like picking players for an epic game of dodge ball. Did you know that couples will engage six to 18 wedding vendors for their wedding? So, if you are planning a wedding in Maine, you will need to find on average 12 providers for your event. Some of these services are:

• Venue
• Catering/Bar
• Cake/Dessert
• Wedding Coordinator
• Photography
• Videography
• Floral/Event Design
• Stationary/Paper Goods
• Ceremony & Reception Entertainment
• Officiant
• Transportation
• Lodging
• Attire

Here are the key steps to follow to draft a kick @#% wedding vendor team:

Game Plan

Discuss and define your priorities for your wedding with your intended. My advice is to sit down with a bottle of wine, an open mind, and a stack of index cards. Create two sets of cards with a vendor from the list above written on each card. Independently, rate the vendor categories in order of importance. Place the index cards in order of highest to lowest priority on the table or floor (depending on how much wine you consume during this process). Then share them with your love and discuss. The items that you mutually rank the highest would have the greatest value. These items become your top priority. The remaining items get a value that is determined based on a mutual agreement of priority. Once you have determined your game plan, you can move on to step two.

Do you have Boosters/Sponsors?

Before you are able to start looking for your wedding vendors, do your homework and determine your budget. Typically, there are two budget numbers to identify:

1. What are you able to spend (your maximum available)?
2. What are you comfortable spending (what you feel is an acceptable value for the service)?

Likely you and your sweetheart may not agree on both of these numbers, but it’s important that you find common ground. Talk with your partner and look at your finances and discuss what resources you are able and willing to invest in this celebration. If family will be contributing, find out what elements they will pay for and how much they are willing to spend. Occasionally we have had an over-eager family member say “I will pay for the flowers” until they come to understand that, unlike their intimate 80-guest wedding, you plan to have 10 wedding attendants and 250 guests at your event and need bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces for all. Ultimately, this will help you save time by ruling out vendors that are not within your means.

Huddle Up

Talk to your family and friends about their own wedding planning experiences. Their wealth of knowledge may help you avoid some pitfalls along the way as you choose your vendors for your event.

Hire a wedding planner that understands your budget and priorities who can refer trusted and experienced professionals. I can’t express how helpful this is!

Talk to your wedding venue. In many cases, the venue has a preferred vendor list filled with qualified professionals whom they trust. Just be sure to ask if you are required to use these vendors or if there are any other restrictions from the venue about the vendors your hire.

So, what players have you picked for your wedding day team? If you need help finding wedding vendors, check out our list of preferred wedding vendors who we have worked with and trust or contact us. We’re always happy to help!

Featured photo by Greta Tucker Photography; Catering, cake and bar in photo by Bar Harbor Catering Company; Floral design by Flora Fauna.