11/24/2024
knowing where to start when you're planning your wedding can be difficult; it can all get overwhelming really quickly so for those of you who are planning to book your own vendors, keep reading!
traditionally, we suggest booking your venue first (if not hiring a planner). booking your venue first will allow you to determine your date, rough guest count (based on maximum allowed at the venue), and know whether other vendors are already included, such as in-house catering.
planners/coordinators are often hired around the same time. the majority of us already have a wide network of vetted and trusted vendors to help you narrow down the search, and we can help guide you with asking the right questions for vendors who may not be in our network already!
caterers tend to book up quickly, so we suggest figuring that out earlier. arguably one of the most important parts of the wedding - besides the actual wedding, of course! - is keeping your guests fed. many caterers also offer bar services, dessert, and rentals, so you may not need to book those additional vendors.
photography is an absolutely essential vendor; it'll allow you to see all of the little details you may have missed throughout the busy day and is one of the best ways to reminisce. a lot of photographers also either offer OR have contacts who can offer videography, too, if that's something that you're interested in!
florists will help pull your whole vision together - florals add a great amount of colors and textures to a wedding to create a visually stunning event. florists also tend to book up quick, so we suggest reaching out sooner rather than later!
hair and makeup artists can help you feel your most beautiful/handsome and really give you that confidence boost on one of the most important days of your life.
a very honorable mention goes to DJs/musicians - this past year we've noticed more open availability even on short notice which is why we didn't list them here, but they are key to keeping the party going!
and if you need assistance finding these vendors in the bay area, we're here to help! 😉
