5 Top tips for picking the best wedding suppliers for you

When planning your wedding you will undoubtedly speak to many different wedding suppliers over email and phone so that you can gather quotes and ideas. Certainly at first, right before you get into the swing of things, this can seem a bit overwhelming. 

Here are a few tips to help you streamline the process:

1. Let one wedding supplier lead you to another.

You venue will have a list of recommended suppliers and they are usually recommend for good reason! For the majority of wedding venues, their recommended supplier list is made up with suppliers who have worked at the venue many times before and who the venue know and trust. You can then lean on these suppliers to find out who they would recommend. Say for example you ask your venue who their recommended photographers are and you pick one of those, you can then ask your photographer who they recommend as a florist and so forth. It's helpful to use suppliers who are familiar with each other and who work well together as a team. Plus, they'll have all the inside info and know who's at the top of their game right now or coming up with new and exciting takes on things!

Wedition Hot Tip: some venues recommended suppliers list is made up of suppliers who have paid for the privilege to be on the list - it is up to you as to whether you think these suppliers would be suitable for you or not.

Photo credit: Hayley B Weddings. Venue: Wotton House. Florist: Flowers by Elaine

2. Understand the key information

When contacting suppliers for quotes it is important that you provide them with the key information that they need to know in order to find out if they are the right fit for you. This could be your theme, the vibe you are going for and any other details that are important to you. For example, you may want the florist to only use in season and local flowers. You might want you cake maker to only use organic free range eggs. You might want the DJ to stay clear of Adele songs (a Wedition wedding couple made this request!). These details will be important to convey to the supplier so you can learn more about each other and check that you are singing off the same sheet!

Wedition Hot Tip: we find that many of our couples love to incorporate their special wedding details inside their personalised wedding magazine, this is a great way to ensure your guest don't miss a thing!

3. Have the answers

Work out the answers to the questions each supplier will ask you, and don't be vague otherwise they can't help you! Venue, date, number of guests and budget are perhaps the most important things they will need to know in order to be able to quote you accurately.

4. Look after your suppliers

Anyone working long hours (photographer, videographer) will need food provided for them. Vendors such as florists who are setting up over a few hours will appreciate being offered a hot drink and a biscuit. Great suppliers will always work hard for you, but they'll naturally want to please you further if they really feel like you are looking out for their best interests!

Photo: Ideal Imaging by Alistair Jones preparing the evening slideshow whilst having his meal

5. Hire a wedding planner

If all else fails then hire a wedding planner! Let them do all the work for you making your life as stress free as possible! There are numerous options available suiting a wide range of budgets, you can opt for the top end wedding planner who will handle absolutely everything for you to an on-the-day wedding planner who will usually step in about 6 weeks before the wedding to tie up the loose ends plus there is the wedding angel who will come in on the day and assist with everything from checking the room is set up correctly to ensuring all gifts and cards are stored safely, they won’t help you in the lead up to the wedding but will be a huge reassurance on the day.

Photo credit: Hayley B Weddings. Venue: Wotton House. Stylist: Ether Events.

Thanking your wedding suppliers

Wedding suppliers love to receive feedback from you after the wedding, in the past I've received personalised thank you cards, homemade cake and flowers - it's always a joy to hear from my happy Wedition couples! Some Wedition clients choose to include a page of thanks inside their personalised wedding magazine, this is an alternative and unique way to express thanks to wedding suppliers and to those who have helped you plan your day.

If you would like a personalised wedding magazine for your wedding then do get in touch to set up a video call: liz@wedition.co.uk