The vendors bring your wedding to life. Each part of your wedding relies on a vendor, whether for food, décor, flowers, entertainment, the venue itself, etcetera, all these are vendors; they can make or break your wedding day. Not meant to scare anyone but just a reality check so that you take the task with caution and utmost seriousness, if you are to enjoy your wedding day.
So, what you want to be sure about is that you have done your best to pick a vendor who will not only understand your vision, but one who will also be passionate about bringing it to life. One you will have a great rapport with, and that will work well with the other vendors harmoniously and not selfishly.
Therefore, what are you looking for when shopping for your wedding vendor/s, as we also know that planning a wedding is very far from plain simple and easy to put together? It is a daunting task to say the least, but with the ultimate goal in mind, it makes you strive to do the very best to bring one of the most significant days of your life, to life and make it as beautiful as you possibly can.
Finding the right vendors can make all the difference in making your special day perfect. We would like to share some ideas on how to pick your wedding vendors hoping that this can be the north star to your fairy tale wedding:
In a big pool it may be hard to know exactly what fish you will catch, so how about checking with those who have gone through the same path and seeking their thoughts or point to the right direction. Friends and family who have recently been married can provide you with valuable insights on vendors they have worked with and their experience working with them, not forgetting contacts that can otherwise take you days gathering. Recommendations from people you trust can help narrow down your search pool.
Well, the internet is also a rich place with information that can give you quick suggestions and help you narrow down to the locations you are targeting. Use wedding planning websites and directories to search for vendors in your area. These websites can provide a list of vendors, reviews, and ratings, and can help you find vendors that meet your specific needs and budget.
Here in Kenya expos like the Samantha Bridal can be a great place to start. At such expos you will find all under one roof deals, that will cater for each part of your wedding needs. The expos are structured to give numerous vendors a platform to sell their products which ultimately works to your advantage; they will each have their own exhibition stands as they try to woo customers and sell their goods and/or services.
So, make a point to find and attend wedding expos and meet with vendors in person to get a sense of their personality and style. This can be a great way to see vendors’ work up close and personal, and to ask them questions about their services.
Hand in hand with personal recommendations are online reviews and ratings. Take time to read these as you will quickly know how good or best fitted for your personal preference a vendor is, so that you are not working blindly. It will certainly give you a better idea of the quality of work and customer service that vendor/s provides.
We live in an era of social media, and this is a tool used for absolutely anything in our times. A serious professional will most likely own one or all available pages. Check out vendors’ social media accounts to see their portfolio of work. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest can be great sources of inspiration and can help you see vendors’ style and creativity. Photos can lie, but you can start here then do your due diligence before you settle on a vendor.
Schedule consultations with your top choices to discuss your vision and get a quote as well. A face-to-face interaction gives you a better look into who the vendor is, and in addition to this, also gives you an opportunity to ask them questions, get a sense of their communication style, build rapport, which is very important in the coming days of planning. It really just adds a personal touch to what they are doing for you.
Ask vendors about their experience with weddings similar to yours and how they handle unexpected situations. This can help you gauge their level of expertise and professionalism. It may be called an interview, which it really is, since you are indeed seeking to find the best candidate for the job.
Look for vendors who are flexible and willing to work within your budget and preferences. A vendor who is willing to listen to your needs and work with you can make the planning process much smoother. It is possible that you can meet vendors who want you to meet their budget expectations and not the other way round and this can actually lead to frustrations down the road.
Consider working with a wedding planner who can recommend and coordinate with vendors for you. Remember a good planner probably has a pool of venders they normally work with and can quickly determine for you the best that will work with your proposed budget. A wedding planner will not only help you find the right vendors for your needs and budget but will also take care of the logistics so you can focus on enjoying your special day.
Trust your instincts and choose vendors who you feel comfortable communicating with and who align with your vision for your special day. Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing your vendors is finding people who you trust and who share your vision for your wedding day.