Questions To Ask Your Vendors

These are big decisions. Have confidence that you’re choosing the right team by asking these questions before hiring them.

 Here are a list of my Go-To questions I would ask vendors as I “interviewed” them via phone. It was super important to me that I have a team of experts who I could trust, lean on for advice, and also have fun with! You’re going to be spending a LOT of time planning the details, so you want to have people who understand your vision and who can make it an enjoyable process.

One of the best things my wedding planner said to me from the get-go was “I take on the stress so you can just sit back and have fun with it all.” That was EVERYTHING to me—do you want to be sweating the morning of because it’s raining or your caterer isn’t there on time? Nope. I also needed a planner who would execute on my vision. It was important to me that they understood my budget and a way to create my dream event without over-spending. Be straight up with them from that first call and let them know what you’re thinking!! If they seem hesitant or mention that they haven’t done something like that before, maybe they’re not the best fit!

Event Planner:

• How many weddings do you do each year

• What kind of style would you say you have

• What’s your preferred method of speaking/meeting with clients

• What systems or technology do you provide for us to communicate and stay organized

• What do you NOT handle

• Have you ever done a wedding at this venue (if you know where you’re doing it)

• How often do you talk to your clients / How often would we meet in person?

• Do you accompany clients on vendor meetings (caterer, florist, etc)

Photographer:

• How many photographers do you provide for day-of coverage

• What is included? (Engagement shoot, bridal portraits, etc)

• How many hours of coverage are included

• Does the package come with a photo book

• How much are additional prints

• How many hours are included for engagement shoot and day of

• How much would it cost to add on an hour

• Do you provide rehearsal dinner coverage

• What happens if you’re sick or unable to make it to the wedding

• Do you charge travel fees (if applicable)

Venue:

• How many venue options are there for the ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, and after party

• What comes included and what doesn’t

• Do you provide a day-of coordinator

• When can we begin setting up for the event (day of, day before, etc)

• What is each venue’s capacity limit

• What is not allowed (candles, sparklers, etc)

• Can we bring outside food or beverages in

• What are the rain plans

• What’s the nearest airport / fastest way to get here from out of town

• What’s the nearest hotel

• Do you have more than one wedding at a time

Band/DJ:

• How long do you play for at a time

• How many breaks do you take and can we choose when they are taken

• How many members are there

• Can we choose our own songs or is there a list we pick from

• Do you provide your own equipment 

• Do you charge a travel fee (if applicable)