Vendor Order – Who do you hire first?

In the beginning, the process of planning your wedding is fun… however, it is easy to feel overwhelmed really quickly!

I think one of the things that trips up even the most level headed couple, is knowing in what order to tackle the planning process.

Here is my guide to helping you identify what vendors to prioritize in your planning process.

 

STAGE ONE

Planner. If you decide to hire a planner, do this as soon as possible. She will be able to assist you by recommending vendors for you to consider.

Venue. Your venue is a huge decision. Not only will it absorb approximately 40% of your overall wedding budget, it will also dictate the majority of your subsequent wedding decisions.

Photographer. In my opinion, your photographer is the most important vendor you will choose. Your wedding photographs will shape the way you remember your wedding day. They will also become cherished family heirlooms in years to come. The best photographers book early (often a year or more in advance). So the earlier you hire your photographer the better!

DJ/Band. Your DJ or Emcee of the band you hire will be instrumental in setting the mood of your reception and creating the overall flow of the event. You want to make sure you personally like this individual. Just with the photographers, the best DJ/Bands get booked early. Therefore, make this vendor a priority in your planning.

Caterer. Depending on the venue you choose, you may also need to independently hire a caterer for your event. Because this will also be another large expense for your wedding, and is a big part of your guests’ experience, the earlier you chose your caterer the better.

 

STAGE TWO

Videographer. This vendor used to be considered a luxury. However, I am now seeing couples seeing the value in also hiring a videographer to help them document the day. I suggest you interview a few different videographer companies and review portfolios before making the final decision.

Florist. Many large event florists manage multiple events per weekend. Therefore, you should still have a good selection of florists to choose from if you book 8-9 months before your wedding.

Cake. If you decide to hire a speciality cake designer, you will want to hire your designer at least 6 months prior to your wedding. Boutique shops often do not bake their cakes ahead of time, causing them to only be able to make so many cakes in a wedding. If you have your heart set on a certain baker, make your reservations early.

Hairstylist & Makeup Artist. The best artists often only take one wedding per day and book early. Therefore don’t procrastinate this choice too long. Also, it is always a good idea to schedule in a enough time to have a trial run with both your hair and make-up artist to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Transportation. The availability of limos, shuttles, trolleys etc. will vary depending on the season. However, it is important to remember you are not just competing with other weddings for this vendor. Be sure to take into consideration other large scale events that may be taking place around the time of your wedding. Also, if you’re getting married in the spring, and you want a limo, you will be competing with prom season! In short – book early! 😉

 

STAGE THREE

Invitation designer. If you’re creating custom invitations. You should start this process about 4 months before your wedding.

Ceremony musicians. There is a wide variety of talent musicians to choose from for your ceremony. It’s okay to wait to hire this vendor until about 2-3 months prior to your ceremony.

Lighting. Because lighting is often a compliment to the wedding decor you have already chosen, waiting to hire this vendor is often a good idea. Also, these companies can handle multiple events per day. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about their availability on your wedding date.

Rentals like tents, chairs, china, decor, etc. There are plenty of rentals and rental companies to go around. Making these final decor selections do not need to be made until the larger wedding design elements have been determined.

 

I hope this list gives you a general guide to know what you need to prioritize when starting to plan your wedding. 🙂

Of course, if you have questions or would like a little more guidance, you know I am always here!

Happy planning!

Casey

Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

602-448-8133

hello@caseygreenweddings.com