You have a list of all the wedding vendors you need to book for your wedding. But other than the overall list do you have a detailed idea of what services you need each of them to provide? There are many small things that need to be taken care apart from the much obvious serviced needed. You are not only the bride-to-be or the groom-to-be, but also the planner of your entire day. You have many people to talk to, confirm with, double check with and all of it is both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
There are two important tasks for you, one to find the perfect wedding vendor & the other to know what exactly to ask them. From choosing your wedding venue, wedding decorator to your wedding photographer & other wedding vendors there are many things you need to know before hand so as you don’t have surprises at the last minute. Take a deep breathe, we have made it easier for you with this exhaustive list of questions you need to ask your wedding vendor.
Key questions common to ask any vendor:
- What is your availability for our wedding date?
- How long have you been working in the wedding industry & how many weddings have you done?
- Can you share some of your previous work and any references?
- What is your pricing structure & what all does it include?
- Do you have any wedding packages and customizable options?
- What is your cancellation & refund policy?
- Are there any additional fees we should be aware of?
- Do you require a deposit, and if so, what is the payment schedule?
- How far in advance do we need to book your services?
- How do you handle emergencies or unforeseen circumstances?
- Do you outsource your services or do you have an in house team in place?
- Are you the primary contact person?
- Can you accommodate special requests or cultural traditions?
- Do you have any restrictions or limitations we should be aware of?
- Can you provide a detailed contract outlining all terms and conditions?
What is your availability for our wedding date?
This is foremost important question before you go ahead with any of the others. We have seen many clients who have had multiple discussions with wedding vendors without fixing their wedding date & when they do it at last, it turns out the vendors is unavailable. The first question that any wedding vendor will ask you is about your wedding date. This ensure both of you are on the same page. The other reason why you need to ask this question is usually auspicious wedding dates come together & the vendor may have already booked back to back events for the dates before or after your wedding date. If that’s the case ensure that the vendor can handle your wedding date with ease.
How long have you been working in the wedding industry & how many weddings have you done?
Wedding industry has lots of ins & out. There are minute details that need to be taken c=of & complications that can arise when least expected. Each wedding comes with their own set of requirements & never are two weddings exactly the same. Experience helps a lot in the wedding industry, not only in handling the wedding as planned but also they would have access to a network of people & ideas to help with if nay unforeseen event occurs.
Can you share some of your previous work and any references?
A wedding vendor’s portfolio can speak volumes – their style, their execution & the kind of work they do. Their portfolio gives you an in into their working style & whether they would be the best fit for you. In this social media age, it has become easier for clients to take a look at the vendor’s portfolio before approaching them. But it has complicated with trust as you can’t find references online. Don’t be shy when it comes to references, wedding vendors can direct you towards their references & you can know from them if this particular vendor is the best fir for you.
What is your pricing structure & what all does it include?
Every vendor has a different pricing structure & timeline. Know their structure & timeline help you plan ahead and you can also get to know if they are flexible in their timeline. From the initial deposit to book your wedding vendor to the final payment, you can get an idea of what to expect. There are also many hidden costs & unexpected costs, so get a detailed list on what is included & what can be expected.
Do you have any wedding packages and customizable options?
Your requirement may not be the same as their previous clients. Get to know if your wedding vendor is flexible, do they have wedding packages that can be customized as per what you need. This ensures you get exactly what you want on your wedding day.
What is your cancellation & refund policy?
Do you they have a cancellation policy/ a refund policy that is in your best interest too? If due to any unavoidable event you have to postpone / cancel the policy, get to know what are your options before hand.
How far in advance do we need to book your services?
How much time does your wedding vendor need for final changes or confirmation? Your wedding vendor might have a cut off time & knowing the timeline to make final decisions ensure smooth sailing.
How do you handle emergencies or unforeseen circumstances?
If the weather is not in your favor how can your wedding decorator handle it? If the crowd is a lot more than you intended to invite can your wedding caterer take care of it? Questions vary according to the wedding vendor, be sure to get to know their experience in handling emergencies.
Can you accommodate special requests or cultural traditions?
At wedding you celebrate your special day with both your families & friends. If its a union of two cultures, your traditions may be completely different & be sure your wedding vendor is aware of the different customs & can accommodate any special requests.
We have compiled this comprehensive list of questions to approach your wedding vendors, but when it comes to the specific vendor, there are a lot more questions to ask.