How to choose the right wedding suppliers to make your day extra special
Catering, florists, videographers, DJ – your wedding day isn’t just about the venue (or the dress!) but is made up of a whole team of talented suppliers who will help make your wedding a day to remember.
But while there are lots of amazing wedding suppliers out there, and many venues have a preferred supplier list, which can make choosing who to use a lot easier, always keep in mind your own personal style and desires. There is no point opting for the same great DJ your friend used, if they play mainly house music and you prefer a bit of country!
So, as it finally looks as though we can get back to celebrating weddings in style, we take a look at just some of the wedding suppliers you need for your big day and how to ensure you choose the right ones.
The perfect wedding venue
Your choice of wedding venue will be one of the most important decisions when planning your wedding. Not only will it set the tone for the day, but it will create an atmosphere and occasion that your guests will never forget. It’s one of the reasons, why I love working at the the Winters Tale Country Barn in Buckinghamshire. Set in a tranquil and picturesque location, it’s perfect for anyone who is looking for a romantic wedding venue where everything can be tailored to suit their own style.
Many venues offer wedding packages. These will vary from venue to venue and also according to your budget. Some even offer all-in-one packages which tend to include things like:
- Arrival drink
- Ceremony room hire
- Three-course meal
- Plates, cutlery, glasses
- Evening reception room hire
- In-house DJ
- Cold evening buffet
But again, these might not be for you, so if you have a set idea about the type of food or music you want, it’s always best to shop around.
Wedding day food to remember
We’ve all been to events where all we can remember is whether the food was good or not! Obviously, you want your wedding day to be remembered for more than just the food, but you’ll probably find it will be the biggest investment into your day, so take the time to get it right.
If you are looking for outside caterers, make sure you have a clear budget in mind. There is no point giving the caterers free rein and then finding your perfect wedding day menus cost more than you can afford.
And when you’re planning the food, remember to tie it in with the theme of your day and don’t forget dietary requirements!
Also, remember to factor in the cost of all the plates, cutlery and glasses. These are normally provided by the caterer, so if you are looking for something particularly special to tie in with the theme of your wedding, they might cost a bit more.
Mouth-watering wedding cake
Who doesn’t love a good wedding cake?! And gone are the days when it had to be a fruitcake, with carrot, chocolate and even pork pie cakes (yes, really!) now becoming more popular than ever.
As with every part of your wedding day, take the time to make the right choice. But as this will involve lots of tasting, that shouldn’t be too much of a hardship!
Choose a celebrant who gets you
Having a friend of family member officiate at your wedding is a great for that personal touch, but if that’s not possible, make sure you choose someone who is on the same wavelength as you. Find out how they will conduct the ceremony, whether that fits with what you want and whether they are happy to include any particular traditions you want.
Most venues, including The Winters Tale Country Barn will be able to recommend people and you may even have the chance to meet them informally at any wedding fayres being held.
Wedding photographers & wedding videographers to capture your day
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so you’ll want to capture every moment of it for posterity.
We’ve talked before about how to choose the best wedding videographer for your big day and those tips also apply to choosing your wedding photographer. Look at their portfolios to see if you like their style, make sure you feel comfortable around them and also look at any recommendations on sites such as Hitched. This week, I’m honoured to be their supplier of the week and that type of accolade is a good indication about the quality of someone’s work.
If you are struggling to find a photographer, I’m happy to help. As an experienced wedding videographer, I’ve worked with a number of great photographers over the years, so will be able to recommend a few good options
Need to hire a wedding videographer?
Hopefully, this has given you a good overview of just some of the suppliers who will help make your day extra special and how to choose the right ones. Just remember to take your time and focus on what’s really important to you.
And if you are looking for a wedding videographer, please get in touch. I’d love to hear about your special day and how I can help you remember it forever.
Music to party the night away
As we mentioned earlier make sure you choose a DJ or band that’s going to play the type of music you want. After all, they will set the tone for your wedding party, so make sure they are going to create the vibe you are going for.
And don’t forget to give them a list of songs or genres that you want played. You can also provide them with a ‘banned’ list if you want! A good idea if you never want to hear ‘Dancing Queen’ ever again!
Elevate your wedding day with flowers
From buttonholes to centrepieces, flowers add an element of style and elegance to any venue and of course the bride’s bouquet is the ultimate wedding day accessory!
If you don’t want to do the flowers yourself, make sure you tell your florist about your chosen colours, any wedding day themes, what kind of look you are going for and also if there are any flowers with special meaning you want to include.
It’s also worth discussing if it’s cheaper to rent or purchase the flowers and whether there are any delivery or setup costs, so you’re not caught out on the day.
