Planning a wedding or any event can be super overwhelming. The best piece of advice we can give you is to start by securing your main suppliers. These are the ones that we would start with:
Your venue/marquee
Caterer
Bar
Florist
Band/DJ
Photographer/Videographer
The sooner you get these locked in, the quicker you will feel better, we promise! The suits, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, table decorations etc. are also incredibly important, but the UK will not run out of stock of any of these items! However, the suppliers listed above will be limited in the area where you want to get married.

How far in advance should I book my suppliers?
Ideally, try to get your suppliers booked 12 months in advance. This isn't always possible, but the sooner you start looking the more options you'll have.
Regularly we receive enquiries for weddings 2 or 3 years in advance! Though just a word of warning, booking this far ahead can be risky. Three times this summer we've had calls from distressed brides who are a few months/weeks away from their wedding and have discovered that the bar company they booked 3 years earlier no longer exists. You don't need this stress! Our policy is that we won't take bookings for a wedding or event taking place more than 18 months away. Of course, we plan to be around for longer than 18 months! But with any small business, you just don't know what curveballs might get thrown your way.
How should I contact suppliers?
Always try to get suppliers on the phone. If they don't want to speak with you over the phone, this as a red flag. Building rapport with the people behind these businesses is really important, you want to know that you can trust them as part of one of the biggest days of your life! Ask for a summary of your enquiry to be sent to you after the first call, if you are looking at multiple suppliers this will help you to compare the services and quotes provided to help you make your decision.
What if I no longer want to book a supplier?
If you have enquired about booking a service, it's always polite to send a short message that they aren't right for you. The supplier will not be offended but it's possible they're holding your date from other potential clients until they hear back from you. We've had clients tell us they are ready to book and then have gone cold turkey, it can have a huge impact on a small business so just send a short and sweet message to say that you've made other plans.
Comments