Deborah Chan
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but knowing which suppliers to book can help you get started. The first step is to choose a venue, which will influence the wedding date, catering, number of guests, decor, and budget. Next, you'll need to decide on the suppliers you want to engage, such as caterers, photographers, videographers, florists, musicians, wedding cake bakers, and transportation. A wedding planner can be a valuable asset, but they come with an additional expense. To find the right suppliers, it's essential to read reviews, consider your budget, and ensure their style aligns with your vision for the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Venue | Church, hotel, town hall, garden, marquee |
| Catering | In-house, external, bar |
| Number of guests | Depends on the venue |
| Decor | Flowers, lighting, styling |
| Date | Depends on the venue |
| Budget | Depends on the supplier |
| Transport | Wedding car, limousine, coach |
| Wedding planner | Day-of coordinator |
| Stationery | Invitations, RSVP cards, thank you cards, etc. |
| Photography | Candid, traditional, documentary |
| Videography | |
| Music | Band, DJ, Spotify playlist, harpist, piper |
| Entertainment | Photo booth, games, etc. |
| Attire | Wedding dress, suits, jewellery |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding planners and coordinators
Wedding planning can be a daunting task, and it is completely normal for couples to have no idea where to start. Wedding planners, also known as wedding coordinators or consultants, can step in and save the day with their knowledge, organisational skills, and experience. They can make the whole wedding planning process easier, but it comes with an additional expense. Most wedding planners charge a percentage of the overall budget, a flat rate, or a certain % of the total budget. So, it is essential to decide whether it is worth the cost.
Wedding planners can offer full-service planning, partial planning, or day-of coordination. Full-service planners take care of everything from beginning to end, including design, and can be as involved or hands-off as the couple likes. Partial planning involves the couple doing most of the work, with the planner providing support and guidance. Day-of coordinators ensure that things run smoothly on the wedding day, so the couple and their guests can enjoy the day without worrying about the logistics.
Some wedding planners have their own studios where they mock up event designs (e.g. walls, lighting, table centrepieces, linens, candles, florals, etc.) for their clients to preview and approve or make changes. They also provide a team on the wedding day to help with coordinating and directing vendors, setup and teardown, and any other reasonable requests. Planners can also act as project managers, ensuring the couple stays on a good booking timeline, and often offer vendor recommendations and sometimes even discounted rates.
When choosing a wedding planner, it is important to do your research, read reviews, and consider your budget. You can use online resources, such as The Knot, which offers verified reviews and an easy Request a Quote feature to help you find a wedding planner that fits your style and budget.
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Venue and catering
The venue is the foundation of your wedding day, with every other aspect of the day building on from this. It is the first thing you should choose and will determine the wedding date, catering options, number of guests, decor and budget.
When choosing a venue, consider whether it can accommodate your guest numbers, if it fits your budget, and whether there is sufficient accommodation for your guests at the venue or nearby. You should also look into what is included in the venue fee. For example, some venues offer their own in-house catering, some have exclusive partnerships with a caterer, and some have a list of recommended caterers.
If your venue does not have in-house catering, you will need to book an external caterer as soon as possible. Research and read reviews, get quotes, and check that the caterer shares your vision for the day. It is also important to consider the number of guests you are inviting and whether they can be accommodated in the venue's indoor space, or whether you will need to hire a marquee. If you are dining in a marquee, you will usually need a refrigerated trailer, and you may also need to hire toilets.
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Photography and videography
When it comes to wedding photography, it's important to create a shot list with the moments and details you want to document. Share this list with your photographer so they can make a note to be creative and capture the fun, candid scenes as well as the images you specifically request. You can also ask someone in the wedding party to be on hair and makeup duty, keeping an eye out for any stray hairs or wilting flowers, and give them an emergency kit with a mirror, lipstick, scissors, and thread.
Videography has become increasingly popular in recent years, capturing the essence of your wedding day. A good videographer will listen to exactly what you want to be filmed and be able to deliver on your desires. They will move around the venue to get the best shots of the wedding reception, from the dancing to the cake cutting and any significant speeches. It typically takes 4-8 weeks to receive your final wedding video, depending on the editing process, length, and the videographer's workload.
Be sure to start your research and book your photographer and videographer early so you don't miss out on your top choices.
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Transport
You probably don't want to drive on your wedding day, so you'll need to hire a transport supplier to get you from your home to your venue. Many couples hire a wedding car or limousine, which transports the bride to the ceremony and the newlyweds to their destination after the wedding. You could also consider hiring a coach to transport your guests to and from the ceremony and reception venues.
If you're getting married in a church, remember that you and your guests will need to travel to the reception venue, so it's important to plan this in advance.
Some couples may also want to hire a wedding planner to recommend suppliers, liaise with them and the venue on their behalf, and work within their budget. A wedding planner can make the whole process a lot easier, but it does come with an additional expense, usually a percentage of your overall budget.
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Entertainment
The most common choices for wedding entertainment are DJs and live bands. DJs are a good option if you want a variety of music, while live bands are a more traditional choice. You could also have a combination of both. If you want something more unusual, you could hire an old-fashioned jukebox, or a wedding harpist, vocalist, or choir. If your budget allows, you could even have fireworks or a live circus performance!
If you are looking for something more low-key, consider a wedding photo booth or selfie mirror, which can be a fun way to entertain your guests and also capture some photos of them. You could also set up outdoor games, or, if your wedding is at a farm, a petting zoo.
If your wedding includes children, consider hiring special entertainment for them, such as a magician. You could also hire a childcare professional to supervise them, which will be a relief for their parents.
Remember that high-demand entertainment services can get booked up quickly, so start your search about nine to 12 months in advance.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to choose a venue. This will impact the wedding date, catering, number of guests, decor, and budget. Once you have chosen a venue, you can narrow down your event design and select the best suppliers for your wedding.
The most important suppliers are those that match your wedding vision. However, some of the most popular suppliers include caterers, photographers, videographers, florists, wedding cake bakers, and musicians.
It is important to read reviews, look at photos, and discuss your budget before choosing a supplier. You should also book your suppliers as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Wedding planners can be expensive, so it is important to decide whether the cost is worth it for you. Wedding planners can recommend suppliers, liaise with them and your venue, and work within your budget. If you cannot afford a wedding planner, you could consider hiring a day-of coordinator to ensure the day runs smoothly.
