Behind every great wedding is a team of talented and experienced vendors. With a passion for making your day perfect, they devote their time and energy to every little detail. But, the best vendors fill their calendars fast. You will want to be sure you secure your top picks early before they’re booked. If you are about to dive into wedding planning, here’s the order you should be booking your wedding vendors to guarantee you’re getting the best of the best.
#1 - Wedding Planner: If you know you’re going to utilize a wedding planner, this should be the first person you hire. Together, you’ll create a vision for your wedding day that will influence each element of your day. In addition to that, your wedding planner will assist with finding the other vendors for your day, eliminating ones that don’t match your style.
#2 - Venue: Finding and securing both your ceremony and reception locations should be your first priority after hiring your wedding planner. Your venue ultimately decides your date and can influence what vendors you’re allow to use. With the exception of your planner, vendors are unlikely to let you book until your venue is secure.
#3 - Photographer/Videographer: It’s important to book a photographer and videographer that not only matches your style but that you get along with. On the day of your wedding, you’ll spend the most time with your photographer and videographer allowing them to capture some of the most special moments of your life so far. Since most can book upwards of 18 months in advance, you’ll want to secure both early to guarantee you book the ones you love.
#4 - Caterer: When you ask guests what they remember most about a wedding, it’s often one thing - the food. Having a caterer that creates delicious dishes with outstanding presentation and top notch service, is a must for every wedding. Since the best caterers will only take a couple of weddings a day so they can devote their full attention to making each detail perfect, securing this important detail shouldn’t wait.
#5 - Attire: If you’re going to go the custom route, you’ll want to allow ample time to not only find a designer but have them create your custom pieces. The design process can take longer than you think and once it’s finalized you’ll need to make sure there’s enough time for them to create the masterpiece and do fittings with you. Even if you aren’t opting for custom, the process of finding the perfect look for your day could take a while. Start early to ensure you aren’t rushed into a decision.
#6 - Stationery Designer/Calligrapher: Since you’ll likely coordinate your save the date with your wedding day stationery suite, it’s important to hire your stationery designer and calligrapher early. This allows them enough time to learn about your vision and create a suite custom to you and your wedding.
#7 - Entertainment: The best bands and DJs in town can book as far in advance as your photographer and videographer do. If keeping your guests entertained all night is important to you, start meeting with band and DJs early and plan to sign your contract as soon as you find the perfect fit.
Photographer credit Lauren Tina Photography
About Sincerely Pete
Sincerely Pete is a full-service wedding planning and design company in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA who believes in a personal, curated & customized approach to each wedding couple we work with, taking their values & personalities into account and keeping the relationship as the focus of the wedding. We plan Washington DC weddings, Virginia weddings, Maryland weddings and destination weddings all over the world.
modern & timeless. creative & curated. infused with meaning. implemented with love.
Contact us today for more information!
