Choosing your team of suppliers can feel overwhelming. With so many suppliers to choose from it can be hard to know where to start! You want a team you can trust! A team that “gets” your vision and what you’re hoping to achieve. One you won’t have to micromanage or worry about on the day. Suppliers you just bounce off, who you can be honest with and who you know will provide the best service possible.
So, where do you start?
Google – Is a super easy way to find suppliers. You can search via a location, company name or specialism. Most suppliers have a website containing details of their services, a blog and testimonials. It’s normally easy to request further information via their contact page too.
Instagram – Is a great way to connect with suppliers and get to know them on a more personal level. Their grid acts as a portfolio, while their stories provide the perfect platform for them to share snippets of their work and BTS. This is a great way to get an idea of the person behind the brand.
Wedding Fairs – Are a brilliant place to meet suppliers face-to-face, ask questions and get samples. There’s normally lots of delicious cake to try too! If you’re in the early stages of your planning this is an easy way to start your supplier search. Lots of suppliers all in one room immediately help you to narrow down what you like and really don’t like.
Venue Recommendations – Your venue will have a list of suppliers they can recommend. These are normally suppliers the venue knows well and they trust to provide a good service. This can be a helpful starting point and will give you something to compare other suppliers and quotations to.
Your team of suppliers have a significant impact on your wedding and the experience you and your guests have, so take the time to do your research before you sign those contracts!
So, what can you do to make sure your suppliers are the right fit for your day?
1. Check the images on their website and social media are their own work – You want to make sure the work you love is their own and has not been taken as “inspiration” from someone else’s portfolio. Check the image credits, have they contributed to that image in some way? If the images are just “inspiration” then you might end up disappointed with the service, they provide.
2. What experience and knowledge do they have? – Do they share snippets of their knowledge and expertise on their website, social media or blog? Do they have testimonials that back up their services and the quality of their work? You want to make sure your suppliers have the right knowledge and expertise for the role you are hiring them to do.
3. What does your gut say? – Do you like them and their brand values? You work closely with your supplier in the run-up to your wedding and on the day itself, so it’s important you feel comfortable around them. You want to surround yourself with a team that takes the time to understand you and your wedding vision. A team you can trust.
There is a lot to consider when choosing your team of suppliers. I hope this has provided you with some helpful tips to get you started. This is a topic I spend a lot of time discussing with my couples and over on my LET’S TALK DETAILS mailing list. If you’d like some help with sourcing your team of suppliers or want more information on my services then get in touch! I’d love to hear all about your wedding.
Image Credits – Chris Spencer Photography / Charlottes Floral Design / Louise Fawcett MUA / Skipbridge Country Weddings / Hannah Rachael Weddings
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