Tips on Choosing Your Wedding Vendors

choosing your dream team

Your wedding is arguably one of the most important days of your life, which is why it is so important to have a vendor team you can trust to bring your vision to life. Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? We’ve curated a list of tips that is sure to make the process go smoother and ease your wedding planning, anxious mind!


tip #1 - determine your priorities

First things first, you’ll want to sit down with your partner and prioritize your wedding vendors. Create a list of all important wedding details you must have to make your dream wedding vision come to life! Have you been admiring a photographer for years? Are you obsessed with flowers or will candles do just fine for décor? What about food, videography, or music? Once you’ve prioritized your vendors, you can begin to set a budget, which is crucial before you start researching and talking to vendors!

tip #2 - set your budget

Creating a budget for your wedding day is not the most fun thing to do, but it is oh-so important to do before booking your vendors! Starting with the top of your priority list, begin to allocate how much of your budget you are willing to spend on each vendor. Of course this can be modified as you continue wedding planning but it doesn’t hurt to have a starting point! There are so many wedding vendors out there, you’re destined to find ones you love and are within your budget.

tip #3 - do your research

Spending time browsing wedding directories, viewing vendor websites, and scrolling through vendor social media pages is a great way to start the research process! Using wedding directories will allow you to search for vendors by category in your desired area, view their price points and read through reviews. After finding a few vendors that you like in each category, you’ll want to meet with each of them to see if they are a good fit for you. You’ll want to choose vendors that are transparent with their services, pricing, and are easy to communicate with!

tip #4 - ask for referrals

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when choosing your wedding vendors! Asking industry professionals, friends or family who recently got married, and your venue for referrals can all be great ways to find your vendors. You’ll definitely want to reach out to your wedding venue to see if you have to work off a preferred list of wedding vendors. The last thing you want is to have your eye set on your dream DJ and later find out that your venue has an exclusive vendor list you must choose from when selecting your DJ. Getting married at Rustic Manor 1848? No need to stress, the only vendor we need to approve is your caterer!

tip #5 - don’t wait to book your vendors

Most importantly, don't wait to book your vendors! Soak in the newly-engaged bliss while you can but if you have your heart set on certain vendors, waiting to book your them for your special day could lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment should they not be available for your date.


some of our favorite VENDORS

Looking for custom, one-of-a-kind rental items to make your wedding vision come to life? We love our friends over at Vintique Rental, a family owned and operated local boutique rental company. Their vintage, antique, modern, natural & rustic items will add character and style that will enhance your event and make it a day to remember.

Jane Kelly Floral provides exceptional service and dedication to creating unique floral expressions for every event. Their multi-generational wedding floral business offers the perfect mix of interior design and floral expertise to give every couple beautifully curated floral designs for their special event. 

Looking for a photography team that knows our venue and surrounding grounds like the back of their hand? Manor Studios 1848 is the wedding photography division of our parent company, Rustic Manor 1848 specializing in shooting with natural light and getting our feet dirty if it means capturing that genuine moment.

From a DJ to a Videographer and everything in between, David Charles Productions is an experienced, dedicated, motivated and goal-oriented professional celebrating over 20 years of providing DJ/MC, lighting, sound, coordination, planning and audio/visual aspects for weddings and events. You’re guaranteed to have a simple planning process and a celebration that is truly a reflection of you.