Please Don’t Call Them Wedding Vendors

PSA: I really don’t like the word “vendors”. To me, it sounds so transactional. The wedding industry is filled with some of the hardest working, most creative people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. Instead, I like to refer to your wedding vendors as your Dream Team.

And as your virtual wedding planner, I’m going to spill the secret to getting the absolute best customer service from your dream team.

can you guess what it is

It’s being an incredible client. It sounds too simple but when you are organized, excited and trusting in your team they will go above and beyond for you. This starts with the very first inquiry email.

Us wedding pros can tell instantly if an inquiry is from a genuinely interested couple or one who is blanket emailing everyone on Wedding Wire looking for the cheapest price. I want you to stand out in a way that makes everyone excited to work WITH YOU.

Research your dream team in order of importance to you. Resist the urge to blanket email everyone who’s Instagram feed you like.

wedding vendors by the numbers: 10

First, narrow down your list to no more than 10 top contenders.

wedding vendors by the numbers: 3-5

Then, email your top 3-5 contenders in each category.

Before you start sending inquiry emails I want you to be totally buttoned up and ready to WOW your soon-to-be Dream Team. Grab the Event Timeline template below.

Fill in the template with the basic information you know at this stage.

• What time and where will the ceremony be?

• What time will the reception begin and end?

This may be all you know at this stage which is more than enough. Put it on paper and save it to your Google Drive folder. We’ll add to it later. This document will become your security blanket and relive so much STRESS! 

I’ve written every inquiry email for you inside The Virtual Planning Program which you can learn more about right here.

The key is to be organized and thoughtful. Let everyone you email know what you love about their work, how you found them and a general sense of your vision. Get them excited!

include your simple event timeline

The more you share the better sense you’ll get of their personality and work style.

wedding vendors by the numbers: 1-2

Next, it’s time to schedule consultations with your top 1-2 choices.

To make sure you’re making the most of this time I’ve drafted a list of questions to ask each Dream Team member inside the Virtual Planning Program. Wedding planning isn’t rocket science but I don’t want self-doubt to creep in and have to start to second guess yourself.

You’ve got this and I’m here to help!

other blog posts you may find helpful

What To Tell Your Wedding Photographer
Wedding Hair and Makeup