Choosing your wedding suppliers is one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding, but with so many options out there, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Your photographer, florist, celebrant, stylist, entertainment and other suppliers all play a huge role in bringing your wedding together. While beautiful work is important, choosing the right suppliers is also about finding people you trust, who understand your vision and work well together.
So, where do you start? Here are our tips for choosing wedding suppliers you’ll love working with.
Start With What Matters Most to You
Before you start sending enquiries, think about your biggest priorities as a couple.
Maybe photography is really important to you, you’ve always dreamed of incredible florals, or having a packed dance floor is a must.
Knowing your priorities will help you decide where to spend more of your budget and which suppliers to secure first.
Have a Wedding Budget in Mind
Having an overall budget in mind makes choosing your wedding suppliers much easier.
Venue hire, catering, photography, florals, styling, entertainment and all the smaller details can add up quickly. Rather than looking at each supplier separately, think about how everything fits within your total wedding budget.
This will help you focus on suppliers who suit what you’re looking for and what you’re comfortable spending.
Find Suppliers Who Suit Your Style
Take some time to look through each supplier’s website, social media and previous weddings. Does their work actually feel like you?
For photography, you might prefer candid and natural images or something more editorial. With florals and styling, you might love colourful and fun or prefer something classic and understated.
You don’t need to find someone who has created your exact wedding before. Look for suppliers whose work you consistently love and who understand the overall feel you want to create.
Don’t Choose Based on Price Alone
Price is important, but make sure you’re comparing what is actually included in each package.
Check things like hours of service, set-up and pack-down, travel fees, additional hours, optional upgrades and exactly what is included.
Two quotes might look very different at first, but once you understand the inclusions, the value can be quite different too.
Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations
A supplier’s Instagram shows you what their work looks like. Reviews can tell you what they’re actually like to work with.
Look for feedback about communication, reliability, professionalism and the overall experience.
Recommendations from your wedding planner or venue are also incredibly helpful. As wedding planners, we work alongside suppliers regularly and know who communicates well, delivers consistently and works seamlessly with the rest of the wedding team.
Make Sure You Actually Like Them
You’ll spend a lot of time communicating with some of your suppliers, and many will be right there with you during the biggest moments of your wedding day.
Your photographer could be with you for most of the day, your celebrant will be part of your ceremony and your wedding planner or coordinator will be there making sure everything comes together.
You want people who are great at what they do, but you also want to feel comfortable around them. Trust your instincts and choose suppliers you genuinely click with.
Ask Questions Before You Book
Before signing a contract or paying a deposit, make sure you understand exactly what you’re booking.
Ask about inclusions, additional costs, payment schedules, cancellation or postponement policies and what the planning process looks like after you book.
A good wedding supplier will be happy to answer your questions and make sure you feel confident before locking anything in.
Don’t Leave Your Favourite Suppliers Too Late
Popular Perth wedding suppliers can book well in advance, particularly for Saturdays and during peak wedding season.
Your venue and wedding planner are generally among the first bookings to make, followed by suppliers such as your photographer, celebrant and entertainment.
If you find someone you love and they’re available for your date, don’t leave it too long to secure them.
Remember, Your Suppliers Are a Team
Your suppliers don’t work separately. There is a lot happening behind the scenes to make your wedding come together.
Your planner communicates with your venue, your florist and stylist coordinate set-up, your photographer works alongside your videographer and your entertainment needs to know the timeline.
Choosing experienced suppliers who communicate well can make a huge difference to how smoothly your wedding day runs.
Need Help Choosing Your Wedding Suppliers?
There isn’t one perfect wedding supplier for every couple. It’s about finding the right people for your wedding, your style, your budget and your priorities.
At Confetti + Co, we’ve spent years planning weddings across Western Australia and building relationships with an incredible network of trusted wedding suppliers.
Whether you need help throughout the entire planning process or want to make things easier with one of our All-Inclusive Wedding Packages, our team can help bring everything together and make planning your wedding a whole lot more enjoyable.
Leave a Reply