8 Questions To Ask a Wedding Professional Before Booking Them

Hiring the right team for your wedding is crucial to planning your dream wedding, but it can also be quite stressful.

First of all, this is not an easy task, and it is completely normal for couples to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused. After all, it is not like you plan a wedding every day! This is all probably very new to you, so be patient with yourself.

Tips to finding the right vendors for you

  • Do your homework:

    • You will get much more out of a meeting or conversation with a wedding professional if you do a little background research first. Spend some time on the Internet or talking to friends who have recently been married. Find out the average price in your area and what services are available. Get an idea of what you do and don’t like. Wedding blogs and forums can be a great resource. With this knowledge, you will be ready to ask the right questions and have an idea of what to look for when you meet with a wedding professional.

  • Meet with them:

    • An in-person meeting is the best way to interview a potential wedding vendor. It lets you get the full experience of their personality, style and professionalism. If that’s not possible, have a phone conversation.

  • Ask questions:

    • There are no stupid questions! If you are not sure what something means, ask for clarification. Keep asking questions until you completely understand. If a wedding vendor has a problem with you asking questions, they probably are not the right one for you. The best wedding professionals are patient, understanding and take the time to help you make the best choices for your wedding.

  • Listen:

    • Don’t just hear the words, really listen. Is the vendor confident and comfortable with their responses? Do they look or sound nervous? Do you get a weird feeling about them? Take into account all of these feelings, sights and sounds along with their responses; if your gut tells you something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.

  • Check references:

    • Portfolios are hand-picked to show off the best work, but they may not represent the “average” wedding performance. Videos are edited for the optimum presentation. Real referrals from happy clients are hard to fake. Call up both client and professional references. Ask questions and use those listening skills. Even if you get a rave review, you can often read between the lines if there were any issues or problems.

Here are 8 Must Ask Questions to ask all of your potential wedding professionals before booking:

  1. How many weddings do you do per year? How much experience do you have?

    2. This is an extremely important question. Ideally, your wedding professional should have ample experience specifically with weddings. Not only will they be more skilled in their craft, but this also makes them a valuable source of information and ensures that your wedding day goes smoothly.

  2. How much do you cost?

    3. Price is often relative, especially when you factor in experience, reputation and expert skill. Generally, the most talented professionals have a higher price tag because they are worth it.

  3. How much is the deposit?

  4. What specifically is included in the cost?

    5. Because vendor packages vary, it is likely that you won’t be able to compare one vendor to another exactly without doing a little analyzing. The lowest cost is not necessarily the best deal; some higher quotes include services that you have to pay extra for in other packages. Make sure you take this into account.

  5. What happens if I cancel? What happens if you cancel?

    6. Find out if your deposit is refundable under any conditions. Does this wedding professional have a back up plan if something happens to him/her?

  6. Do you use a contract?

    7. This answer better be a “yes”. If not, RUN! A contract is designed to protect both you and the wedding professional. Don’t settle for a verbal agreement that won’t hold up in court.

  7. Are there any additional fees?

    8. Taxes, service charges and travel fees can add up quickly. Make sure you understand exactly what is included and if there are any other fees you’ll have to pay. This should be clearly defined in your contract.

  8. Do you carry liability insurance?

    9. The answer you’re looking for is “yes”. This protects you in case in unfortunate accident should occur on your wedding day. It is also a sign that this is a reputable business since most “fly by night” operations don’t invest in insurance.

If chosen wisely, you can get the right wedding vendors and expert help to make your dream wedding come true!