It’s a beautiful time: a heartwarming ceremony that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. It’s the beginning of years and years of stories and special moments yet to come, and it’s understandable that you want the day to be as perfect as it can be.
One of the ways to make that happen is to get the right vendors. Some of the vendors that might be helping with your wedding include equipment rental companies, designers, caterers, photographers, wedding planners, and so forth.
While choosing the right vendors can be tricky, it doesn’t have to be. Today, we’ll share all the tips you need to know about narrowing down your selection.
Let’s get started. Shall we?
tips for finding the perfect wedding vendor
Before you can ask a vendor questions and discover if they are right for you, you have to explore the options available. We recommend doing some research on review websites like weddingwire.com, talking to newly-wed friends about their favorite vendors, and visiting bridal shows.
Make a shortlist of:
- Which vendors you need.
- Which vendors you’ve encountered that fit this need.
- How to contact vendors you are interested in. (Phone is best. Meeting in-person is even better.)
Now you can do some more research into each vendor and discover which is right for you. Even if you’re not set on a vendor from the beginning, that’s okay. Sometimes a simple conversation might be all you need to feel at ease about hiring them for wedding services.
The truth is that there are many, many vendors available, not just in Portland but in the Pacific Northwest as a whole. That means that you’re sure to get a lot of responses if you put out an ad. However, it may not be the most effective way to find vendors and is more of a long shot.
Rather, if you research the vendors yourself and contact them, you’ll have an idea already if a vendor might be a good fit instead of going back and forth through endless meetings.
Below are questions to ask potential vendors for your wedding.
what to ask a potential wedding vendor
Finding the right vendor for your wedding doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. If you ask the right questions, you are likely to pick the right vendor without too much trouble:
#1: what do you offer?
Take a look at everything the vendor has to offer, and make sure these offerings fit your needs. If you have a need that the vendor does not fulfill, compare their services with others in the same industry, and ensure that your expectations match the industry standard.
#2: what is your pricing?
Once you have found a vendor that fits your needs, talk to the vendor about their pricing, and ask about any additional fees associated with their services. After the conversation, email the vendor to ensure you have the pricing correct.
#3: can we meet in-person beforehand to look things over?
If the vendor fits your needs and budget, set up a time to visit and see what they have to offer. This is important in catering and cake-making, but it may also be necessary when paying for rentals or talking with a DJ.
#4: how can I view the contract?
Now that you feel confident in the vendor, it’s time to get a contract and review it. This contract should have all of the pricing information noted and should define precisely what service or product they will provide you, including how it will be delivered.
#5: what’s the best way to get in touch with you?
Once you’ve signed a contract, it’s always a good idea to connect with your vendor a couple of months and then one week before your wedding just to make sure everything is on schedule and running smoothly.
#6: are you willing to travel?
If the vendor is based outside of the city your wedding is going to take place in, it’s important to know early on if they’re willing to go to the location and if a travel fee applies. If they’re not willing to try, it’s best to look to a different vendor, possibly one based in the wedding location.
about us | portland wedding caterers
Looking for the best wedding caterer in Portland, Oregon? Mundo Catering has your back! We are proud to offer a long list of menu options for weddings of all sizes. Whether you want local food to give your guests a great memory of the Pacific Northwest or cuisine inspired by other parts of the world, we have you covered.
And the best part is dietary restrictions are no problem! All you have to do is let us know about allergy requirements or food requests (gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.), and we will make you a wonderful menu that fits all your needs and more.
Don’t wait to book. Catering spots fill up fast at this time of year!
Take a look at our Gallery for pictures of events we’ve done, and peek at our Blog for information on wedding trends, wedding catering, and much more.
Call today to book our Portland wedding catering services: (971) 302-5041