We are getting straight to the point this month. Here are the vendors you need for your wedding, who we commonly see, but might not be necessary, and what vendors are fun touches to bring the party a little more energy and uniqueness. There are so many ways that a wedding budget can get out of control, but there are also some amazing ways to keep it in check as well. Here’s our take on it from a venue perspective:
NEED: Caterer, Photographer, DJ/ Band, Day of Coordinator & Officiant
COMMON: Florist & Late Night Food
FUN EXTRAS: Photo Booth, Bounce House, Ice Cream, Coffee Bar, LOVE Letters, Glow Stick Tubes & more
- Caterer
I don’t think we have to say a ton here other than we all love good food. Something to keep in mind…pick your food based on what you want and not what you think your guests will want. Your guests will appreciate the food even more knowing it is something you love as a couple. So what does that mean to you?
• Sit down or Formal Meal
• Family Style Meal
• Buffet Meal
• Carving Stations
• Taco & Nacho Bars
• Cheese & Meats Stations
- Bar
The bar can be where you save money or go crazy with your budget. There are some super creative ways to still have alcohol at your wedding without breaking the bank. Talk with your caterer and bar service to see what might be best for your guests and your wallet.
• Signature drinks only
• Signature drinks & some basic options
• Full bar
• No bar – yes, we have had dry weddings & yes they are just as fun
- Photographer
This one is fun. We love the photographers we work with. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, we rely on them for our gorgeous content. That being said, Instagram has made shopping for photographers much easier than shopping around for other vendors. You literally get to see their product right there. Explore and see what tastes are speaking to you on how you want to capture your day and look back at it down the road. Fall in love with your photographer, their personality, and their work. They are capturing an extremely intimate and monumental event in your life. You want to make sure you are vibing with each other and know that they have your style in mind to get those pictures that you have in your head for your wedding.
- DJ/ Band
Who doesn’t like a good dance party? Fun fact, not everyone does and that’s okay! The music does a great job at setting the flow and the feeling of your evening so think about how you want to feel and where you want your guests to be.
• Dance floor?
• Tables chatting?
• Lawn games?
• Conga line?
- Florist
These beautiful humans have vision like no other. Florists are very good coordinators even if they don’t publicly admit to it. They see all the little details before you even think of them. These can be a great addition no matter how simple or extravagant you want to go on these. It is shocking what a little pinch of color can do or even greenery draped in an area you haven’t thought of. It creates a part of the atmosphere for the day and speaks a lot about a couple with what they choose to highlight and give a little accent pop too.
- Coordinators
We’ve touched on this before so we’ll keep it as this. Hire at least a Day of Coordinator and do your research to find the best fit for you, just like with any other vendor. They allow the couple to enjoy the day from start to finish and focus on their time together. They allow the parents to just be parents and soak in every second of this chapter of their kid’s lives. They allow everyone to be able to be present while they take care of the rest. We really can’t stress the importance of a Day or Coordinator more than we already do. It is a must have and you will not regret it.
- The Extras
We’re not gonna lie, this is where we see our couples creative side and we look forward to seeing what extra touches our couples bring. While bounce houses have been used for younger kids, we personally do not see an issue with adults taking part in this at all. Having an ice cream truck stop by is pretty common here and who could go wrong with this sweet treat!? To liven up the dance party in an economical and venue friendly way, we love glow stick tubes and those giant LOVE letters. 10/10 recommend for the cutest pictures. How about a coffee bar!? This is a new one for us coming later this year and we are living for it.
Now you have our take on it, so get to planning! Reach out to those vendors and trust your gut. Everything will come together, your dream will come true, and you will have a wedding day that reflects who you are couple. It will be a day you remember forever.
Madelyn Jensen
Author