Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is such an exciting time, but can also be a bit overwhelming and stressful. You’re probably getting questions like, “have you set a date?”, “where are you getting married?”, “what are your colors?”. Meanwhile, you’re not even sure where to begin or what vendors to book first!
While there is no right or wrong answer, we do have some insights and are here to help you make your wedding planning journey as seamless as possible. Updos For I Dos has been providing on-site wedding hair and makeup services for brides and their bridal parties for almost 20 years now; we have a pretty good idea of what stress-free wedding planning looks like! Continue reading to learn more about our Ultimate Wedding Vendor Guide for Brides.
How to Start Planning Your Wedding
The wedding planning process can be daunting at times, but we’re here to tell you that it does not need to be! When you’re ready to begin planning your wedding, the first thing you and your partner need to do is establish a budget and decide roughly what time of year you’re looking to tie the knot. Once your budget and ideal timeframe are established, it’s time for research! Typically, wedding venues and photographers are the first vendors that you will book.
Talk with your partner about different venue settings and browse online for venues that meet your expectations. A few important things to consider when selecting a venue are, do you prefer indoors or outdoors? Does your venue have a backup rain plan? Do you want to hand-pick each vendor or do you want a venue that’s “all inclusive” and supplies all your vendors? Once you’ve answered these questions, that should narrow down your venue research.
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, head out with your honey and check out your favorite venues in person! Meet with the venue coordinator and see what their availability looks like. If you have a specific photographer or other vendors that you are wanting to book immediately, coordinate with them and make sure the dates line up with the venue, photographer, or other vendors.
Once you set a date, we assure you that you will feel a huge sense of relief!
How to Pick Your Wedding Vendors
We can not stress enough how important it is to select vendors that you feel confident and comfortable with! Your wedding day is an emotional, vulnerable, and amazing day. The last thing you or anyone should worry about is a wedding vendor making you feel some type of way.
The first step for selecting your wedding vendors is, of course, research! Do you have a friend who recently planned her own wedding? Pick his/her brain and ask for advice! If not, head to Google, Wedding Wire, and The Knot! These platforms are incredible resources for brides; you can read through reviews, scroll through photos of their work, and chat with fellow brides.
Social media platforms are another fabulous resource for brides. Instagram in particular is a great way to research vendors as it serves as a modern-day “lookbook”. As you are scrolling through photos, keep notes and save posts that reflect the wedding day vibe you are going for.
If you have already booked a few wedding vendors, such as a venue, photographer, or planner, ask for their advice! The world of wedding vendors is a large yet small world; everyone knows each other! Ask your venue, photographer, or planner for vendors they have previously worked with and who they recommend.
When it comes to selecting your hair and makeup team for your wedding day, we highly recommend you choose a team that is experienced and qualified. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life; you will remember it forever! That's why it's so important to choose expert hairstylists and makeup artists you trust to bring out the beauty of your smile. After all, that smile and those of your bridal party will be treasured memories for years to come!
Having been a part of so many bride's weddings since 2004, we know what it takes to make you look and feel your best on your big day. At Updos For I Dos, we're committed to providing the highest quality services, communication, and care to every bride that chooses us. We would be honored to be part of your special day!
When to Book Your Wedding Vendors
Typically, the venue and photographer are the first wedding vendors that you will book pretty shortly after becoming engaged. After this step is complete, where you go next really depends on your priorities! If you’ve been following a florist on Instagram that you absolutely must work with, book that next. If on-site hair and makeup artists are at the top of your priority list (which we think they should be!), lock in your date ASAP!
At the end of the day, it really comes down to what vendors are most important to you. Once you’ve established your vendor priority list, work your way through. Here’s an example timeline for booking vendors with a year and a half of planning time:
16-18 months: Book venue
16-18 months: Book photographer & videographer
12-18 months: Book planner/partial planner/day-of coordinator
12+ months: Book on-site hair and makeup team
12 months: Book catering, bar services, florist, rentals, and DJ
8-12 months: Book photobooth and desserts
6-12 months: Schedule your hair and makeup trial
6-8 months: Book transportation (if needed)
How to Plan a Wedding?
Your wedding day will be an emotional and incredible experience. To ensure everything goes smoothly and stress-free, it's important to pick the best vendors for you! The first step for selecting wedding vendors is research - you can use platforms such as Google, The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Instagram. Ask friends who recently planned their own weddings for advice and reach out to vendors you have already booked for referrals. At Updos For I Dos, we provide the highest quality services, communication, and care. We understand that hair and makeup are two essential elements of looking and feeling your best on your big day! With the help of a professional hair and makeup artist, you can achieve the perfect look for your wedding day. If you’re ready to say goodbye to stress and secure your date with us today, click the link here.
Happy wedding planning!
