We have our planners, our wedding date, our A and B guest lists, and an idea of we want our count to be! We have started to research the four of the most important vendors (maybe booked a few). Now onto our secondary vendors (the one's we want but don't HAVE to have)!
Remember: I am basis this off my 5k budget.
Wedding Planner: The reason I am putting this here is because if you chose to do one they will mostly likely be your most expensive vendor outside of the venue, photographer, and catering.
Do you need one?
You might have someone in your life good at planner and willing to take control of the day and run it instead of being there IN the ceremony. Maybe only hire them as a day-of-coordination (DOC), so the actual day is taken care but you're still the one making all the plans before hand.
Positive: Most have a vendors they work with so you don't have to stress and research. They also tend to have a warehouse of wedding supplies.
Negatives: The COST. Wedding/Event Planners can easily eat up your entire budget. Also, something I have personally learned, if you are looking for something they don't have they charge you the full price to obtain but still keep it in their warehouse to reuse.
No matter which way you go please make up a clear vision on what you want and chart it out.
Florist: Most florist think you cannot have a wedding without them! Sit down with them and you'll see it's true.
Positives: You can tell them what you want and they do all the work.
Cons: The Cost. Most budget florist start off around $700 and go up.
You do have options though. You can DIY your own floral. Whether they are from your local craft shops, thrift store finds, online retailers, or a mix. At some point they will be on sale. Keep a watch for the holidays that hold major shopping trends (President Day, Memorial Day, Black Friday, etc). I sourced alot of my floral at 70 to 90% off doing it this way.
You can also mix it up with a blend of real and fake. It you have people setting up then don't do delivery but pick up and put them up yourselves.
DJ: DJs run in a crazy range of pricing. Worse than photographers.
Pro: They keep your wedding on track. They are your emcees. They can cut off embarrassing speeches and drown them out with the music.
Con: There is a wide range. What do you want them to do?
If you don't need the fancy lighting, dancing on clouds, the over the top emceeing than you can find one for under $800. If you want the extras start planning at $1800 and above.
If you chose not to do a DJ than get a bluetooth speaker and make up a playlist.
Baker: Do you love cake and desserts or are you having it because that is what people expect?
Pros: Yummy (usually). They can make something one of a kind. They deliver and set up.
Cons: Some people have a set formula of flavors, your cake might be shown on social media before you or your guests see it. And of course the cost.
Some alternatives could be: Get a basic cake from your local grocer you favor and jazz it up with fake flowers for the photos. Do a cupcake cake. Offer other sweets besides cake (brownies, cookies, macarons).
Again, do you have a family or friend that can do this for you and you pay for the supplies?
How's your brain? Don't stress there are always options.
Up next: Save the dates, Dresses, and Decor.
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