THE WEDDING VENDORS YOU SHOULD SECURE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.

 

You’ve got the ring. You’ve got the excitement. Maybe you’ve even started your Pinterest board with approximately 4,782 saved photos. 

But before you get lost in flowers, favours and the perfect shade of napkin… there are a few wedding vendors you need to think about first.

Why? Because the best vendors can book up months — sometimes years — in advance, especially for popular wedding dates.

 

 

 

1. YOUR VENUE

 

This is your starting point.

Your venue usually determines your wedding date, guest capacity, style and even your budget. Once you’ve fallen in love with a venue and secured your date, everything else becomes much easier to plan.

Bride tip: Don’t wait until every detail is figured out. Your venue is one of the first big decisions you should make.

 

2. YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Your wedding day happens once — but your photographs last forever.

Popular photographers can have their calendars filled long before wedding season arrives. If there’s a photographer whose work makes you say “THAT’S exactly what I want!”, don’t leave it until the last minute.

Bride tip: Look beyond pretty pictures. Check their personality, editing style, packages and reviews too. You’ll be spending a LOT of time with your photographer on the big day!

 

 

3. YOUR VIDEOGRAPHER

 

If photography freezes the moment, videography brings it back to life.

Your partner’s reaction when you walk down the aisle. Your dad’s speech. The crazy dancing. The tiny moments you completely missed.

 

Those memories are priceless.

 

And just like photographers, great videographers can disappear from your preferred date quickly.

 

 

4. YOUR CATERER

 

Nobody wants a hungry wedding guest. 

If your venue doesn’t include catering, start looking early — especially if you want a particular caterer, menu or specialised dietary options.

 

And PLEASE taste the food before booking!

 

 

5. YOUR FLORIST

 

Your flowers can completely transform your wedding.

But your dream florist may already have several weddings booked for your date, particularly during peak wedding season.

Have your venue, colour palette and overall wedding style in mind before your consultation.

 

It will make choosing your flowers SO much easier.

 

 

 

6. YOUR DJ OR BAND

 

The music can make or break the party.

If you already know you want a particular DJ, band or live musician, check their availability early. The good ones can be booked months ahead.

 

And remember — you aren't just booking music.

 

7. HAIR & MAKEUP

 

Your wedding morning is not the morning to discover that your makeup artist is unavailable. 😳

If you've found someone whose style you love, get them secured early — particularly if your bridal party is large.

 

Bride tip: Ask about trials, travel fees, timing and whether they can accommodate your entire bridal party.

 

THE GOLDEN RULE!

 

You don't need to book everything immediately.

But you should prioritise the vendors who:

 

✔ Have limited availability
✔ Are highly sought-after
✔ Can only work one wedding per day
✔ Fit your vision perfectly

 

 

Start with the vendors who are hardest to replace.

Because changing your napkin colour three months before the wedding?

Easy.

 

Finding a new photographer two weeks before your wedding?

Not so easy. 

YOUR WEDDING-DAY DREAM TEAM STARTS HERE ❤️