Wedding planning is a major enterprise. While many couples plan and organize the event themselves, the number of people who hire wedding planners is on the rise. Around 27% of couples hire wedding planners for their wedding. This is because planning a wedding requires a lot of work.
One of the most major tasks is contacting and arranging wedding vendors. The global wedding services industry will be valued at $74.1 billion by 2025. This includes wedding venue rentals, catering, photography, and videography services.
Managing so many different kinds of wedding vendors is not easy. You must be able to vet and select carefully; otherwise, your whole event will be ruined. While it is ideal to hire a wedding planner, not everyone can afford one. In that case, you must be prepared to research and hire wedding vendors yourself.
Questions to Ask When Hiring Wedding Vendors
There are so many wedding vendors for all different services that making a choice can be hard. For example, lighting hire in London alone will give you hundreds of results in Google. Doing proper research is critical to streamline the process and make it easy to select the correct option. Here are some key questions you must ask wedding vendors before hiring them:
- How much do you charge?
It may seem that asking about the pricing right at the beginning may not sound too polite; however, getting the costing out of the way first is best. Every couple has a budget they must stick to and financial constraints are a major factor in the decision-making process.
It is not impolite. It is the logical thing to do and prevents you from wasting your time and the other person’s time. If the budget for your cake is £350, then there is no point in further pursuing a vendor whose starting point is £500.
Sure, you can ask for discounts or offers, but you can narrow down your options significantly if you start by asking about the charges first. That is applicable unless you have a flexible budget and money is not a major concern.
- How long have you been working in the wedding industry?
Experience, specifically with arranging services for a wedding, is key. It is indicative of the level of expertise a vendor possesses. Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime event. you do not want to take your chances with a wedding vendor who lacks experience. Ask for their portfolio and go through their website or catalog.
- Can you provide references?
Do not be afraid to ask for references. It is one thing that the vendor boasts about their work, but asking actual people who hired them provides an unbiased perspective. You can even type in a wedding vendor service and search for reviews.
References and reviews provide invaluable insight into the service provided by the vendor. Additionally, you may get useful advice from couples who have been through the whole process before you.
- Will you be able to provide services for the wedding?
Suppose you are happy with the wedding vendor. You find their past work impressive and it is also within your budget. You want to book them immediately. Be sure to let them know the exact date of your wedding so they can check for availability.
Popular wedding vendors are extremely busy, especially when the wedding season is at its peak. You may not be able to get a booking, so always have a backup option. A backup option is also helpful in case a wedding vendor cancels at the last moment.
- What are your terms of service?
Ask about the terms of the contract or term of service. These detail what services will be provided and the payment terms and relay information on refunds, if any.
These terms must be considered because the cost of a service alone should not be the only determining factor. Two wedding photographers may be charging the same. However, one may require you to deposit the entire payment upfront, while the other may require you to pay only 50% upfront and the balance once the wedding album is ready.
- When can they be reached?
You will need to hold a few meetings and contact the wedding vendor once they have been selected. It is necessary to coordinate with them so the event can move smoothly. It is always better to ask about their availability and timings.
Inquire how and when you can contact them so you do not end up getting frustrated while trying to get in touch with them. it is best to clear these things beforehand to avoid any inconveniences.
- What are your backup options in case there is an emergency?
When you hire a wedding vendor, they are responsible for providing the service, from the wedding to the decoration. Still, it would be best if you remained in the loop that everything is progressing according to plan and that there are no issues.
There should be transparency on both sides and the wedding vendor must be open to you about anything that may or has gone wrong. If the decorations you choose are unavailable, in such situations, you should know what is being done to rectify the problem. Ultimately, it is fine even if a few details do not work out as long as the wedding goes smoothly.
Hiring Vendors for Your Big Day
A wedding takes an army to plan and execute. There are so many things to be done that it is only logical that you will hire wedding services to make your big day as special as you have envisioned. The right selection can make your event successful, so carefully consider when hiring wedding vendors.
Do not be afraid to ask questions and demand answers because you will be spending a fortune on the whole event. one thing going wrong can quickly ruin the entire mood of the wedding and turn it into a disaster. It would help if you avoided such a scenario at all costs.
Always choose a vendor you have a good connection with and who you think can understand your vision. Additionally, select someone willing to go above and beyond the job they have been hired to do because there may be situations where they may have to deliver beyond their duties.
