Planning a wedding is not an easy task and it is totally normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at times throughout your wedding planning process! With endless wedding vendors to choose from, it's essential to know what role each of them plays in your big day. Each vendor contributes to the success of your event, and it's crucial to understand what you can expect from them to ensure everything runs smoothly!
Some exciting news, Updos For I Dos has thrived in the wedding industry for almost 20 years now! While we aren't official wedding planners, we have a pretty good idea of what stress-free wedding planning looks like! Continue reading for some tips and tricks we've learned along the way.
Questions To Ask Your Venue Coordinator
Choosing a venue is most likely the first critical decision you'll make when planning your dream wedding. You need to ensure it has enough space to accommodate your guests, meets your aesthetic preferences, and fits within your budget. Once you've assessed and asked the easier questions, what's next?
Here are a few key questions to ask your venue coordinator:
How long has this venue been operating?
Do they have a back-up rain plan?
How many weddings take place on the weekends? Are there weddings every day (Fri., Sat., Sun.)? Are there multiple weddings per day?
Is it handicap accessible?
Is wedding insurance required?
Are there any limitations in selecting other vendors?
Do they have certain guidelines to follow when selecting other vendors?
Do they have liability insurance?
Do they have tables, linens, decor, etc. that is included and available for use?
We could truly go on forever, but this initial group of questions should set you up for wedding venue success!
Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day photographer is accountable for capturing all the memorable moments that you'll want to cherish for years to come! You need a professional who understands your vision and can deliver quality pictures that meet your expectations. After researching online, you probably have an idea of your photographer's shooting and editing style, but what other questions need to be addressed?
Here are a few key questions to ask your wedding photographer:
How long have you worked as a wedding photographer?
Is there a minimum number of hours to book?
Will you have back-up memory cards on our wedding day?
How many photos can we expect?
Will there be multiple shooters on our wedding day?
How long does it take to edit and send a wedding gallery?
Do you provide sneak peeks?
Is an engagement photography session included?
Again, we could go on! However, this initial list of questions will set you up for wedding photographer success.
Questions To Ask Your Wedding Caterer
When it comes to choosing your wedding caterer, it's important to not just focus solely on the quality of their products or services, but also on their ability to handle the size and complexity of your event. While a caterer's delicious food is definitely an important factor, it's also crucial for them to have the capacity to cater to your expected number of guests and to provide exceptional service throughout the entire event! For caterers, in particular, you might want to know about their experience in catering to events similar to yours, their range of menu options, and their ability to work with dietary restrictions.
Here are a few key questions to ask your wedding catering company:
Have they worked at your wedding venue before?
Do they provide cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres?
Does their price vary based on the season?
Does their menu vary based on the time of year?
Are they fully insured?
How many people will work at your event?
Is a tasting included?
Do they provide linens, tables, cutlery, and other serving utensils?
Do they offer bartending services?
Are there any hidden fees?
This list of questions should pretty much cover all of the details you'll need to know about your wedding catering team!
Questions To Ask Your Wedding Hair and Makeup Team
We admit it, we're biased, but we consider booking a top-tier hair and makeup team equally as important as booking your photo and video team. You will appreciate and relish in the joys of your wedding album for years to come, and we want you to forever be obsessed with your wedding hair and makeup looks! When researching hair and makeup teams, skills and technique are of course a major factor, but also consider the hair and makeup team in question's logistics. Do they have liability insurance? Do they have a back-up plan in place in case your original artist suddenly becomes unavailable? We could truly go on forever about questions to ask your wedding hair and makeup team, but for now, we'll just list a few.
Here are a few key questions to ask your wedding hair and makeup company:
Are all of your hairstylists licensed cosmetologists? (Ask for proof!)
How long have you been in business?
How many artists are on your team?
Are hair and makeup trials included or an additional cost?
Can I select my artists?
Is there a deposit? If so, is it applied towards my contract total?
What happens if my artist is sick on my wedding day?
How much time does each service take?
Is your team experienced working with different hair and skin types?
Here at Updos For I Dos, we have all of these answers ready for you! Head over to our FAQ page - if you don't see your questions listed, send us an email at team@updosforidos.com or check out our blog!
Selecting Wedding Vendors
Every wedding vendor involved contributes significantly to making your big day a success. Take the time to research, interview, and ask questions before making any commitments! Ensure that you have a clear understanding of what each vendor offers and what they expect from you.
Be sure to read reviews, ask friends or family members who have been married recently for referrals, and don’t be afraid to reach out directly with any additional questions you may have.
When you find a vendor that meets all of your expectations—from their products/services offered to their pricing—you will know that they are the perfect choice for helping create an unforgettable event! When you're ready to say, "YES!", to the most experienced and talented team of hair and makeup artists, click the link here. We can't wait for your big day!
