Choosing a Vendor: Priorities

The first step in choosing the right vendor is to determine your priorities. Great food? Great Photos? Fun time? Romantic atmosphere? Every couple/bride has a few things that are just a tad more important to them than everything else. But with SO many things running through your head and so many details to work out, how do you start to prioritize?

Start with asking yourself to describe three things you envision about your wedding day. (Those three things usually are what you feel are most important…) Now list how you’d like your guests to describe your big day. (When they walk away, what are they saying about your wedding?) Sometimes your three and your guest three are the same, or at least have one similarity. In asking yourself these questions, it can help to enlighten yourself (and your planner if you already have one) on where your money will be best spent and where your priorities are.

For example: Let’s say your big three are: Great photos, Lots of dancing and a fun/stress free, personalized atmosphere. Now let’s say the few things you want your guests to say are: how great the food was, how fun the reception was, and how the wedding completely fit you as a couple.

Now Let’s read into those examples: You want great photos so you’ll want a great photographer, who’s style fits yours and who will capture all the fun and dancing as well as all the details in your wedding that fit you as a couple. You want fun and dancing, so an awesome DJ who knows how to get people dancing and having a fun time is the way to go. A great caterer can provide great, customized and memorable food. And the ultimate vendor investment you could make is to have a planner who can 1) help you find all the perfect vendors, 2) create a stress free environment (for everyone, friends, family, included) 3) make sure everyone is having a good time and 4) help you pull off a unique(custom to you) atmosphere and event.

So what are your wedding priorities?