Engaged? Now what? First and foremost, congratulations! Getting married is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. Before you begin the wedding planning process, it’s important to know which of your wedding vendors you should book first so that you are able to plan accordingly with your budget and also keep things organized.
Two Things To Do Before You Book Your Vendors
- Choose Your Wedding Date
The first thing you should do before planning your big day is choose your wedding date. One of the first things to consider when choosing your wedding date is the season. Each season offers its own unique beauty, experience, and ambiance. Have a conversation with your partner and explore the months and seasons. Choose your preference based upon the vision you both have for your wedding day.
- Set a Budget for Your Wedding Day
Once you have chosen a date for your wedding, it’s time to have “the” budget conversation. Before you book any vendors or buy anything – you need to determine your wedding budget and stick to it. Figuring out your wedding budget can be really stressful and overwhelming, but it’s liberating as well. Setting a budget will help you avoid overspending, save money, and prioritize your expenses.
Now that you’ve chosen your date and you have a budget in mind, it’s time to book your wedding vendors. A quick tip to remind you to be mindful of each vendor’s time. They get pretty busy, and when you reach out to them, they take time out of their busy schedules to respond. Do ensure you respond to their emails and be honest and let them know whether or not you’ll be choosing them to be a part of your vendor team for your wedding day.
12 Months Prior
- Wedding Planner
The first wedding vendor you should book is a wedding planner/ coordinator. Of course you can plan a beautiful wedding without a wedding planner, but trust me when I tell you that they make life much simpler. A wedding planner is your “wedding lifeline, therapist, personal assistant, project manager, and creative director” all at the same time. They will not only help you create your wedding vision, they will plan your wedding from start to finish, researching the best vendors, as well as assisting with budgeting, designing, figuring out all the logistics, giving you advice and explaining everything you are unsure about.
- Wedding Venue
The next vendor on the list to book is your wedding venue. It’s important that you book your venue on time because many venues book out months in advance. By reserving your wedding venue early, you ensure that you have the first pick of dates to choose from. Your venue is also one of the highlights of your wedding theme, and securing early will allow you peace of mind and give you time to focus on choosing your other vendors.
10-12 Months Prior
- Wedding Photographer/Videographer
As soon as you secure your wedding date, planner, and venue, it’s time to start the search for your wedding photographer/ videographer. Many wedding photographers/videographers end up being booked between 12-15 months in advance. It’s very important that you book your wedding photographer early so that you can get your engagement photos in for websites, invitations, etc. Also, so your photographer/videographer can get a clear picture of your wedding vision, learn your preferences, the special moments you want to capture, and get familiar with the specifics of your wedding day.
- Wedding Florist
Your wedding Florists are the artists who create magic to transform a space. They will design your florals for the ceremony, bridal party, and all arrangements for the reception. Taking the time to research and book your florist in advance will ensure that they are in alignment with your wedding style and vision.
- Wedding Caterer
Many wedding venues provide an in-house caterer. If your wedding venue does not offer catering, then you’ll want to start searching for one so that you can build and have proper time to go for tastings and create a wedding day menu.
6-9 months Prior
All wedding vendors are necessary, however it’s very important that you secure your wedding planner, venue, photographer, videographer, florist, and caterer well in advance, especially the favorites who get booked out pretty quickly. Once you have secured the vendors listed above, it’s now time to book your stationery designer, cake designer, hair and makeup artist, DJ, and Officiant.
Booking your wedding vendors months in advance is very important especially in South Florida. After choosing your wedding date and setting your budget, we highly recommend that you book your wedding planner. Many times, your planner has a list of preferred vendors that they’ve already worked with, and if not, they will help you make the right decision when making your selection. Happy Planning!