When to Hire Your Vendors

One of the biggest mistakes I have seen with couples is waiting too long to hire vendors for their wedding day. Keep in mind that certain vendors can only do one wedding in a day so they really should be one of the first to hire. That category includes photographers, videographers, disc jockeys, and the actual site itself. Vendors such as florist and bakeries can fit in three to ten weddings in one day, so there is a little more leeway for them.

Also, if you plan on having your wedding during a three day holiday, think fast. Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are very popular so don't be surprised if your favorite companies are already booked nine months to a year out. In fact, I have weddings on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Weekend this year. I know all of this sounds so simple but you won't believe how often I have received a phone call one month out from a wedding looking to book their date and being told that the photography was the last thing on their list.

That being said, make sure you get a contract from each and every one of your vendors. I have received several phone calls over the years from couples, and even friends & family who were calling for a friend, saying that they hired a photographer for their wedding and that person called them two weeks before the date and said they couldn't do it anymore. (I even once got a call from someone THE DAY OF the wedding because their photographer said something had come up.) Surprised, I asked about the contract and each time I was told there wasn't one. Without a contract, you really don't have a leg to stand on if someone backs out.

My best advice is to hire vendors as soon as possible. The good ones always go first, so if you really want to get the "pick of the litter," I would suggest booking your site 12-18 months in advance, vendors who can only do one event per day 12 months in advance, and the other vendors 6-9 months in advance. Oh, and one last piece of advice -- always ask for the funkiest flavors when you go cake tasting. You never know what you might like!!