The quality of your wedding depends on the professionals you hire. They're the key to making your dream a reality. In this scenario, you gather the industry's finest in one place, from which you can choose the vendors you feel are the best fit for your big day.
Hiring a team of professionals who can make your wedding dreams a reality is perhaps the most important aspect of wedding planning.
You may be wondering, "Who should I include on my wedding vendor list?" if you're just getting started. Which services providers do I need for my wedding?
If you're just getting started and have no idea who your necessary vendors are, we'll point you in the right direction. You can narrow down this list of wedding vendor categories based on the type of wedding you're planning.
Since this is your wedding, your opinion matters. You can always add more service providers if your particular style of wedding calls for it.
The following list, which is in no particular order, will help you understand which professionals you'll need to hire for your wedding and why they're necessary.
Wedding Planner
Having a wedding planner is crucial in these times. You can rely on them to alleviate some of the burden of wedding preparations. Having them is crucial to the success of your wedding.
In terms of wedding services, a planner should be at the top of your priority list. Too busy with life to really plan your wedding in detail? Have someone else do it for you and check out our list of Wedding Planners in Melbourne to help take the stress away.
Why? Planners are experts at keeping things on schedule and dealing with any hiccups that may arise on the wedding day, and can help you stay organised and on budget throughout the planning process.
Hiring a planner is well worth the money, whether you opt for a full-service planner or a month- or day-of coordinator.
In the eyes of some brides, this is the most worthwhile investment. Having a Wedding Organiser to store your important wedding documents is also a must.
A three-ring binder is suggested because it facilitates the insertion and removal of pages. In the end, you will be astounded by how much stuff is stored inside.
Reach out to an event planner to ensure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch.
Having a professional wedding planner will help you save time, make the most of your money, and avoid any last-minute hiccups on the big day.
Photographer and Videographer
You don't want to leave this to chance. Your wedding photos will be kept and looked at for years to come.
Hiring a professional photographer whose aesthetic aligns with your vision for how you want your wedding day captured and remembered is essential if you want those memories to last a lifetime.
You require the services of these experts to ensure that your wedding day is preserved in its entirety for future generations to enjoy.
Whether you're having a huge party or sneaking off to a quiet ceremony, your wedding day is one you'll want to cherish forever.
It is crucial to hire a skilled professional wedding photographer who can artistically record all of the special moments of your big day. For this reason, nearly all weddings today have a professional photographer present.
Your Wedding Venue
One of the most important aspects of wedding preparation is selecting a venue.
It's important to have your guest list and desired colour scheme planned out before you begin looking for a reception hall.
We have a large selection of reception venues across Australia and in a few carefully chosen international locations, ranging from the most intimate settings to the grandest ballrooms.
What city or town will play host to your nuptials? Did you make contact with them yet? Planning for the wedding venue is also crucial.
The location is the centre of all activity. The wedding schedule will start to take shape once you have booked the venue. That being the case, verify it first.
Hair and Makeup Professionals
They are as essential to your big day as any of the other service providers because of how much they will affect your appearance and confidence.
Due to the high volume of photography and filming expected that day, it is important to secure the services of skilled professionals.
You'll spend some of the best parts of the day here getting your hair and makeup done, so make sure to bring a camera. When you're surrounded by your loved ones, nothing can compare to the feeling of being at a party.
Because of the importance of feeling and looking your best on your wedding day, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional hairstylist and makeup artist.
Attire
Wedding dresses, tuxedos, wedding party clothes, and more must all be purchased in the months leading up to the big day;
Pre-wedding preparations necessitate a lot of shopping. The majority of brides (78%) and grooms (66%!) who participated in a recent survey reported purchasing new wedding attire.
Before making a large purchase like a formal dress or tuxedo, it's smart to read online reviews of local dress salons and tuxedo shops to find the ones with the best reputations.
Cake baker
Absolutely no one. Cakes can now tell a story through edible art.
With so many options, cake tasting is always a highlight of wedding planning meetings.
The cake at your wedding can serve as more than just dessert; it can also be the showpiece of your table settings.
Seventy-six percent of engaged couples order a custom-made wedding cake from a bakery.
Florist
Your wedding flowers, from bouquets and boutonnieres to ceremony arrangements and centrepieces, are an integral part of the event's aesthetic.
In addition, your wedding florist will be instrumental in making your chosen theme and colour palette come to life.
A florist can take care of all the floral arrangements for your big day. Their job entails caring for your flower arrangements, including your bouquet and table centrepieces.
They are well-versed in the ideal floral arrangements for weddings at any given time of year. Proficient florists can transform the look and aroma of your wedding.
Music pros
The music at your wedding is a crucial part of the atmosphere, so it's not something you should try to organise on your own.
It's up to you if you want to hire a band, a DJ, or both, but if you want your dance floor to be packed all night long, we highly recommend it.
Having fantastic entertainment at a wedding is always a plus. An alternative to the traditional wedding band is a DJ.
Choosing between the two is a matter of preference, as they each have their merits. Your entertainment is likely to be the main thing that people remember about your party. They play a significant role in the celebration.
Check out their experience, see if you have chemistry, and decide who you think will provide the best entertainment for you based on those factors before booking them.
Stationer
The stationery selection process is a highlight of the wedding planning process.
An expert stationer can guide you through the process of choosing the right paper goods for your save-the-dates, invitations, escort cards, and other stationery items, as well as making sure they are all prepared and sent on time.
Caterer
Guests will be attending your reception primarily to eat and drink, as well as to toast your recent nuptials. Looking for Wedding Caterers in Melbourne? Look no further, Cosmopolitan events has you covered.
Food at your wedding will be plentiful and delicious thanks to your caterer's efforts. Some event spaces already have catering services built into their packages, but others will require you to hire an outside company to handle the food and drink.
The food at your wedding is very important. It's common knowledge that the reception meal is the most anticipated part of any wedding.
You should take care in your selection. Your company will remember the meal long after you're gone. The centrepiece of the party. Be prepared with a detailed schedule for your caterer's meeting with you.
Celebrant
Your wedding vendor list isn't complete without a celebrant.
Find an officiant who can perform a ceremony that feels personal and appropriate for your special day by first deciding whether you want a religious or secular ceremony.
You'll need a marriage officiant whether you're getting hitched on the sands of a beach, in a garden, or amidst the trees of a tropical rainforest.
It can take a lot of time to find the right one. If you want your wedding dreams to come true, it's important to find a celebrant who shares your values.
Jeweller
The wedding bands you choose to exchange on your big day are a visual reminder of your commitment to one another, but they are also a chance to express your individuality.
Find the perfect wedding bands with the assistance of a reputable jeweller.
The process of selecting wedding bands is one that should be commemorated. The eternal token of your unending devotion.
Some of your bridal accessories, as well as presents for your attendants and the groomsmen, will require the services of a jeweller.
Favours vendor
Guests from far and wide, or just down the street, should be thanked for making the effort to celebrate your big day with you.
And this is where the wedding gifts and favours come in! There is a wide variety of potential favours, ranging from tasty treats to sentimental keepsakes.
Rentals company
You can get everything you need for your special day from a rental company.
Although your caterer might have some of these things, rental businesses typically have a wider selection to help you create tablescapes that reflect your personal style.
Tent rental services should be included in your wedding vendor list if the ceremony and reception will be held outdoors.
In the event that you need to rent linens, serving pieces, tables, chairs, tents, dance floors, etc., for your event, a rental company can meet all of your requirements.
Transportation Company
Getting everyone to the wedding in one piece and on time can be a logistical nightmare. That's why it's important to hire a reputable transportation firm.
You and your VIP guests can relax and enjoy the ride in style from your hotel to the ceremony and back again by booking a stretch limo or party bus.
Lighting designer
The mood and atmosphere of your wedding can be dramatically altered by the lighting. The flower arrangements you make are probably beautiful.
Still, a good lighting designer can make them look truly spectacular and your wedding photos even more beautiful.
Vendor Etiquette
Obviously, your big day won't go off without a hitch if you don't have these necessities covered. The services of these professionals are crucial to the success of your wedding, whether they are delivering rented furniture, taking beautiful photographs, or decorating your cake.
Know the fundamentals of collaborating with wedding professionals, including how much to tip your supplier and which vendors you might also plan to feed, to avoid having a DJ or photographer who is uninterested in your big day and misses your first dance but she's in the back acquiring a snack out of her bag.
To ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch, consider these tips.
Exactly which vendors do we have to buy food for?
Feeding your vendors well is essential and is probably a contractual requirement.
You are responsible for hiring and paying for your wedding's planner, photographer, videographer, band, DJ, emcee, and any additional help they may require. No need to feed the caterer, florist, or anybody else who is only attending the ceremony, though.
Whether it's a "chef's choice" or even the main dish to be delivered to your guests, your caterer should have a regular menu from which you can choose for vendor meals.
This may be included in your overall fee, or it may be a discounted, additional charge, depending on the catering service and the specifics of your event.
Provide the caterer with the final number of vendors who will be attending the event in the same time you verify the total number of visitors, and also be sure to specify any special dietary needs or restrictions.
When can our vendors eat as well as take breaks?
In this case, timing is everything. Think about providing food for your wedding planner, videographer, as well as photographer during the reception meal so that they won't miss a moment of the festivities.
In spite of the fact that you won't be providing these vendors with any break times, you must still recognise them "on" till the dancing begins, at which point they may retreat to the back to rest, refuel (with water and possibly cake), and resume service.
Your wedding's entertainment, whether a band or a DJ/host, is an entirely different ballgame. Assuring that they're well fed before dinner is served is essential, and the best time to do so is during cocktail hour.
As a result, they will be ready to begin the celebrations when it is moment to greet the bridal party and the newlyweds.
Depending on how long the band has been hired to play, there may be brief breaks between sets; the wedding toasts provide a chance for a peaceful respite.
Do we need to tip our suppliers?
Put another way, "Yes!"
If you were pleased with the service you received, tip the vendors and anyone who helped you. Be sure to check their agreements first, as some may include tips as part of the agreed-upon fee, where in case you would not need to provide any additional payment.
Nevertheless, you must still tip both assistant(s) around $50 and $150, even if the photographer, videographer, baker, florist, or wedding planner is also the business owner.
If you feel so inclined, a compensation for the shop's owner would be greatly appreciated.
Guidelines for tipping your vendors.
- Unless otherwise stated, you should plan on allocating around $10 as well as $20 per person as tips for the caterers and wait staff. Include the banquet manager in your invitations. If they are not also acting as your wedding coordinator, you should tip them $250 or more.
- Bartenders should be tipped between 10 and 15 percent of the amount owed before taxes if this is not already included in the catering bill.
- You should tip your makeup and hair artists 15–20%, just like you would at a salon.
- Check to see if the musicians hired for the ceremony and reception are entitled to a gratuity. If gratuities are not included, budget around $25 & $50 per person.
- It is customary to tip the driver between 15% and 20% of the total bill before taxes if you have arranged transportation for the wedding.
If we are dissatisfied, what should we do?
It's not easy to face the possibility of disappointment when planning a wedding if guests end up disliking the services you've provided.
If you’re not fully satisfied with trial and sample items, please let us know. During the rehearsal dinner, you can sample different varieties of wedding flowers, cakes, and icings.
Don't be shy about discussing problems with a problematic employee with the business owner.
A staff member who contributes to your dissatisfaction as a customer should be reported to their superiors.
If the big day doesn't go as planned, before contacting the vendor, you should review the contract.
If you have been charged for detailed flower centrepieces but only given bud vases, you are entitled to a refund. You also have recourse in the event that the other party is unreliable or fails to show up to the meeting.
Please schedule a meeting as well as bring any layouts you may have of the event so that we can discuss it further. Learn your rights and negotiation options.
Looking for the Top Wedding Planner in Melbourne? Look no further and check out our ultimate list of Wedding Planners here.
Conclusion
The smooth running of your wedding day depends on hiring a professional wedding planner. Professional wedding planners are adept at avoiding and resolving last-minute surprises. It's also essential to have a Wedding Organiser where you can keep all of the legal documentation related to the wedding. An experienced wedding photographer who can creatively capture the day's events is an absolute must. The bride-to-be should hire a professional hairstylist and makeup artist because of the time and effort involved in doing their own hair and makeup for the wedding.
Find the best dress shops and tuxedo rental places in your area by reading online reviews. You can trust a florist to take care of all the flower arrangements for your wedding. If you need help deciding on paper goods for your save-the-dates, consult a professional stationer. In some event halls, catering is already included in the price. While at others, you'll need to bring in a catering service.
Look for an officiant who will help you create a ceremony that is unique to you and your partner. A jeweller will be needed for some of the bridal accessories and gift giving. A rental company can provide everything you need for your event, including linens, serving pieces, tables, chairs, tents, and more. Hiring a professional lighting designer can elevate the aesthetic quality of your wedding photographs. Learn the ins and outs of working with wedding pros, such as how much to tip the caterer.
How to properly tip your wedding vendors and other service providers. Catering the reception meal for your wedding planner, videographer, and photographer is a nice gesture. Making sure they have a good meal before dinner is crucial, and cocktail time is the perfect time to do it. The future Mrs. should budget between $10 and $20 per guest to tip the caterers and servers. When dealing with a difficult employee, don't be afraid to bring up your concerns with the business owner. Understand your legal standing and your bargaining power.
Content Summary
- Having a wedding planner is crucial in these times.
- Having a professional wedding planner will help you save time, make the most of your money, and avoid any last-minute hiccups on the big day.
- It is crucial to hire a skilled professional wedding photographer who can artistically record all of the special moments of your big day.
- Planning for the wedding venue is also crucial.
- Because of the importance of feeling and looking your best on your wedding day, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional hairstylist and makeup artist.
- A florist can take care of all the floral arrangements for your big day.
- The food at your wedding is very important.
- Find the perfect wedding bands with the assistance of a reputable jeweller.
- for your event, a rental company can meet all of your requirements.
- Think about providing food for your wedding planner, videographer, as well as photographer during the reception meal so that they won't miss a moment of the festivities.
- Guidelines for tipping your vendors.
- Include the banquet manager in your invitations.
- Check to see if the musicians hired for the ceremony and reception are entitled to a gratuity.
- It is customary to tip the driver between 15% and 20% of the total bill before taxes if you have arranged transportation for the wedding.
- Don't be shy about discussing problems with a problematic employee with the business owner.
FAQs About Wedding Vendors
A vendor, also known as a supplier, is an individual or company that sells goods or services to someone else in the economic production chain.
And even though service charges may be spelled out in your contract, tipping—although not mandatory—is always appreciated for a job well done, not to mention a kind and thoughtful gesture. So don't forget to factor in tips when making your wedding budget.
You should tip 15 to 20 per cent of the total bill if your contract doesn't include gratuity. Another way to tip is by offering $50 to $100 for each chef and $20 to $50 per server. Wedding planner: Wedding planners won't expect a tip, so this is optional based on service.
Experts suggest setting aside 5-10% of your wedding budget for a wedding planner. Doing so goes far beyond convenience — in the end, a wedding planner helps couples save money and time while providing peace of mind on their wedding day.
A day-of wedding coordinator is responsible for ensuring the wedding day or weekend is executed flawlessly. Their roles include overseeing vendors, managing the timeline, and overcoming any last-minute challenges during the festivities.