Wedding plans are coming along nicely. You have booked your venue and caterers, decided on the type of ceremony you want and have booked a venue or church, worked out your budget, decided on numbers and now is the time to start choosing and booking your other suppliers. But where do you start? Many venues will have preferred or recommended suppliers. The most logical step in this instance is to work down the list to see if they are the kind of suppliers who will help you create your vision for the day. Have a look at their social media feeds and website. Are they showcasing the kind of look or service you want. Don’t despair if you are not convinced, or they are unavailable, most venues do not mind if you use suppliers outside their list. If you have booked a wedding planner they will help source suppliers for you. When I look for suppliers for couples I endeavour to put forward a choice of three, who will be hand picked from my network of suppliers, who are tried and trusted and who in my opinion will suit the client best. However if you are doing all the planning, look for a connection with the supplier. If you like the look of their work, book a discovery call to see if you have that connection and that they understand what you would like.
I am often asked what order suppliers should be booked. All suppliers play a role in your day, the main players being the venue and caterers. If you have those booked you are ready to look for the rest.
Photographer
Photographers do get booked fairly quickly. If you like the particular style of photography, maybe after seeing a friend’s wedding photographs or from one of your venue’s recommended supplier list, then do arrange a call to discover more. Do see a previous blog – How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer – Q & A with Suzy Elizabeth Photography who has some very helpful tips.
Stationery
I would put this quite high up on the list if you wish to send printed Save the Date cards. Some couples opt to send digital Save the Dates and then a printed stationery suite to follow. There is some absolutely beautiful wedding stationery out there and one of my favourites is Lynda Loves, the quality is superb and the designs are gorgeous.
Hair and Make-up
This is an important element of the day. After all the bride is on show all day and your make-up will have to last all day and evening. As I always say, “leave it to the experts” who have a real art in creating a natural look, which most brides favour, but one that lasts. Your hair and make-up artist is responsible for helping you to keep calm during bridal prep and ensures that everything is kept running on time. Have a good look through portfolios and social media feeds to see what kind of look they create. Two of my favourites are Lucy Beesley Bridal and MACH Management. All hair and make-up artists will offer you a trial once you have booked. This gives you the chance to have a rehearsal and work out how you wish to look on your wedding day.
Florist
I absolutely love flowers and think they really add to the sense of occasion. The use of seasonal flowers is always best and most sustainable and there are an increasing number of British growers, so your wedding flowers can be grown locally. Your florist will advise you on what will work well to achieve your vision for the day. Make sure you choose the florist that suits your style, again look through portfolios and social media feeds.
Videographer
Videography has become a real art form and there are some beautifully edited wedding films, which you will have for ever, alongside your photographs. A top tip is to choose a videographer who is the same style as your chosen photographer, so that their work complements each others, and fits your style.
Band/DJ
A good band will get the party element of your wedding day well and truly started. There are some great bands out there for all kinds of budget. A band will usually play in sets and will often provide a DJ to play music in between sets. When I book a band for a couple I try to ensure that they can come and set up in advance, so there is no waiting around for the music to start off, after the wedding breakfast. This is not always possible with timings and access to the venue or marquee where they will be playing.
Ceremony Music
It is always rather nice to have a different tone at the ceremony part of the day. A string quartet or trio will set the scene for the more solemn part of the day and will often play at the drinks reception afterwards. They all have a great range of music to choose from.
Cake
There are some awesome designs and mouth-watering flavours to choose from. Gone are the days of tiers of fruit cake. Some couples choose to serve cake rather than dessert. Cake makers offer tasting packs which are essential in helping you make your choice. It is also a rather nice part of the wedding planning process.
You will also need to think about transport, accommodation and child care if required.
I hope this has been helpful and I know it can seem a little daunting with all the tasks and choices you have to make ahead of you. If at anytime it all seems too much, especially with a busy working life and time restraints, have a look at a partial planning service which can commence at any stage during the planning process. If you need advise at any stage and would like some help do drop me an email or DM. I am always here to help.
Happy planning
Joanna x