Questions to Ask Your Wedding Vendors

Congratulations!! You’re engaged and your wedding planning fun has begun. The best way to ensure that your fairytale wedding goes off without a hitch is to ask your vendors questions. You will be able to find out what’s included in the price and what options they have that would be most beneficial to you. You’ll also find out how far in advance you should book services. As a bonus, you can also get an idea of the type of person you’re dealing with if you will work with them for months before the wedding.

Now you’re probably thinking you’ve got endless options for wedding vendors, ranging from DJs to florists to caterers, so… what the f*ck do you ask?  As always, I’m here to serve you! As a wedding photographer based in DFW, I’ve photographed over 200 weddings across the globe and planned my own wedding so I’ve learned a thing or two. Here are my top five questions you should ask any wedding vendor:

• What is your availability / are you available for my date? This kind of goes without saying, but before you get into all of the details with any vendor it’s important to check that they have a date that works for you! 
• What’s included in the fee / how much is the deposit / what is the payment schedule?  The best way to know what’s included in the wedding vendor’s base rate is to inquire about the packages and add-ons available. For example, if they charge extra for linens or chairs, make sure those items are part of the package before you commit. You’ll also want to have an idea of how much is required to book them and when you will be responsible for making payments. 
• How far in advance do I need to book? In general, wedding vendors will let you know how far in advance they can accommodate. However, it never hurts to ask further questions concerning timing. Bonus tip – make sure to inquire with your top vendors ASAP so you can secure them for your date!
• What distinguishes you from other vendors? It can be helpful to ask this question in order to determine what the strengths of each vendor are and whether this vendor stands out.
• Have you done a wedding at my venue before? This question doesn’t make or break a vendor, but it can definitely help to work with a vendor who is familiar with the venue you’re getting married at. 

These questions will help you gain an understanding of who the vendor is and what they’re about, beyond simply being familiar with their services. Finding the wedding vendors that you trust and you feel will give you their all on your special day is overwhelming so don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you need some additional advice on how to choose a wedding photographer, you can head on over to my other blog “How to Choose the Right Photographer for your Wedding.” 

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