The Ultimate Wedding Vendor Guide: A Former Bride's Tell-All
Hey there, future brides and grooms! I'm spilling all the tea from my own wedding planning days—yep, I've been in your shoes, and let me tell you, picking the right wedding vendors is a big deal. Back when I got married, I learned that most couples hire about 14 vendors to pull off their big day. That's a lot, right? But there are even more out there to choose from, so I'm here to help you figure out who you actually need. Think of this as your go-to guide from a former bride who's been through the chaos and come out with a ring on her finger!
When I started planning, I was clueless about vendors. I just knew I wanted a pretty dress and cake that didn't taste like cardboard. So, I made a checklist—and trust me, you'll want one too. It's like a treasure map for your wedding day. I've got a simple list below, and you can even print it out to carry around when you're meeting people like your florist or DJ. Bonus tip: I used an app to keep track of everything while I was running around—it was a lifesaver!
Here's the rundown of vendors I used (or wish I had), with some stories from my own wedding to help you out.
Printable Wedding Vendor Checklist
Grab this list and take it with you—it's perfect for keeping your head on straight while you're chatting with vendors. I used to scribble notes on mine during meetings, like "DJ Dave loves 80s music" or "Venue lady said no glitter!"
My List of Wedding Vendors
Venue
You've got to have a spot to say "I do," right? For us, finding the venue was step one because it locked in our date. We toured a cute barn with twinkle lights, and I fell in love. Book yours early—trust me, the good ones get snatched up fast. Ask them stuff like, "Can my dog be in the ceremony?" (I asked that—sadly, it was a no).
Planner
My wedding planner, Sarah, was my superhero. She kept me sane when I couldn't decide between roses or daisies. Planners are like the boss of your wedding—they make sure everything happens on time. I hired Sarah early, and she helped me pick every other vendor. Find someone who gets you—I asked mine, "What's the wildest wedding you've done?" Her answer (a circus theme!) told me she'd handle my crazy ideas too.
Photographer
Our photographer, Mike, was a must. I still cry looking at the picture of my dad walking me down the aisle. Pick someone who'll snap the moments you want to remember forever. I asked Mike, "What's your favorite part of weddings?" He said the first dances, and I knew he'd get the good stuff.
Floral Designer
Flowers aren't just flowers—they're magic! My floral lady, Jen, turned my boring tables into a fairy garden. She even made my bouquet with sunflowers because they're my favorite. Chat with your florist about what you like—Jen asked me, "What's your vibe?" and I said "happy and wild," and she nailed it.
DJ
We had DJ Tom, and he kept everyone dancing—even my shy Uncle Bob! A good DJ makes the party fun. I asked Tom, "Can you play 'Sweet Caroline' for my cousins?" He did, and they went nuts. Test your DJ with a song you love.
Band
We didn't have a band, but my friend Lisa did, and it was so cool hearing live music when she walked down the aisle. If you want that vibe, ask bands what songs they play best—Lisa's band rocked "Can't Help Falling in Love."
Caterer
Food is huge—nobody wants hungry guests! Our caterer made tiny sliders that everyone raved about. My tip? Taste the food first. I asked ours, "Can you do mac and cheese too?" and they did—it was a hit.
Decor
Our decor gal, Emily, hung lanterns that made the barn glow. It felt like us—cozy and fun. Tell your decor person what you love. I said, "I want it to feel like a big family dinner," and Emily made it happen.
Rental Company
We rented chairs and plates because buying 100 of them? No way! The rental folks brought fancy gold forks that made our tables pop. Ask what they've got—it's like a toy store for weddings.
Videographer
I didn't get a video, and I regret it. My cousin's shaky phone clips aren't the same. A videographer catches everything—like your vows or that awkward dance move you'll laugh about later. Ask them, "What's your favorite wedding moment to film?"
Officiant
Our officiant, Pastor Jim, made our ceremony sweet and simple. He even threw in a joke about my husband's bad tie. Pick someone who fits your style—ask, "Can you keep it short and sweet?"
Hair Stylist
My hair girl, Kelly, gave me curls that lasted all night. I felt like a princess! Ask your stylist, "Can you handle my crazy thick hair?" Kelly did, and I've got the pics to prove it.
Makeup Artist
My makeup lady, Tara, hid my nervous breakout like a pro. I asked her, "Can you make me look natural but fancy?" She did, and I felt amazing. Test them out first—you want to shine!
Entertainment
We had a photo booth, and my little cousins went wild taking silly pics. It's fun stuff like that that keeps guests happy. Think about what you'd enjoy—maybe a magician or a painter?
Lighting Company
Lights made our barn sparkle. I didn't think about it until Sarah suggested it, but it was worth it. Ask, "Can you make it feel romantic?"—ours did!
Cake Baker
Our cake lady, Pam, made a chocolate cake that had my grandpa sneaking seconds. Taste test and ask, "Can you do something fun like sprinkles?" Pam did, and it was a crowd-pleaser.
Transportation
We got a vintage car for our exit—best decision ever. It was just for us, but if you've got lots of guests, maybe get a bus. Ask, "What's the coolest ride you've got?"
Stationer
Our invites were simple, but pretty—thanks to our stationer, Lisa. She made signs for the day too. Ask, "Can you make it match my flowers?" It ties everything together.
Calligrapher
My friend did our envelopes, and they looked so fancy! If you want that extra touch, hire a calligrapher. Ask, "How long does it take?" so you're not rushed.
Bartending
Our bartender mixed a killer signature drink—think lemonade with a kick. Some caterers do this, but we got a separate guy. Ask, "Can you make something special?"
That's my list from my wedding! You might not need all these, but it's good to know what's out there. Start with the big ones—like your venue and planner—then fill in the rest. Oh, and keep that checklist handy—it's like your wedding BFF. Happy planning—you've got this!