Things To Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Suppliers
Once you’ve got your wedding venue and date in place, one of the next big steps is typically to list and hire the various suppliers you need for your big day.
What suppliers will I need?
Every wedding is different, as is every couple, so you may not hire all these professionals, nor is the below exhaustive. But typically your list of suppliers is likely to include some, if not all, of the following:
- A wedding planner: To recommend and liaise with suppliers, and ensure you don’t go over budget. Here at Howard Court, we offer this service so speak to one of our team to find out more.
- Official, registrar or celebrant: These are the only people, other than religious officiants, who can legally marry a couple.
- Photographer/videographer: Clearly, you’ll want to capture your memories of the day and so the occasion should be recorded professionally. Unless you’re very confident of their talents, don’t rely on friends or family, students or amateurs for this key job. After all, there’s just one chance to get it right and it could be awkward if it all goes wrong. Remember you can also supplement the official shots with a wedding photo QR code so everyone uploads their images and you get a complete overview of your celebration.
- Wedding finery: For your wedding dress, you’ll want a specialist with a great reputation, clear policies and so on. For the groom and his party, you may prefer to rent rather than buy suits.
- Music and entertainment: You might want to hire a live band or a DJ – and the latter may be able to provide a more varied repertoire. Equally, consider hiring an old-fashioned jukebox so guests can choose and play their favourite tunes. You could also think about having a magician to keep guests, or a fireworks display.
- Wedding cake maker: Few weddings are considered complete without a cake. If you’re brave enough or have a skilled friend or relative, you could consider baking it yourself. Alternatively, you could go for a cupcake tower.
- Florist: A local florist can get your flowers to the venue on time, and do buttonholes, bouquets, table centrepieces and more, depending on your budget, tastes, colour scheme and the season.
- Gift list provider: You and your spouse-to-be could sign up for a wedding gift registry with a department or online store. Guests who want to buy you a present often find this easier, too.
- Wedding transport: If you’re not getting ready on site, you’ll need a way of getting to the venue from home. You can choose a limousine or wedding car, and may want other transport on the day, such as a coach or minibus between church (if you’re using one) and reception or to collect people from the train station.
- Hair and make-up: Brides are inevitably on show all day, so of course you’ll want you and your bridesmaids to look your most gorgeous, with professional hair and make-up. Do a trial run beforehand to ensure you’re happy with the look.
- Stationers: If you’re printing rather than sending digitally, you’ll want invitations and save-the-date cards. Other possible items include orders of service, menu and place cards and table plans. You may also want to buy some thank you cards. Have stationery that complements the look and feel of the occasion.
You’ll probably never hire so many suppliers for a single event again! So it can feel overwhelming initially. But take your time, research thoroughly and consider your wedding’s budget, style and location before you send your initial enquiries. Talk to anyone else you know who has recently got married.
Look at reviews, social media and supplier websites before drawing up a shortlist, and read any terms and conditions or contracts carefully. Your final choice will often depend on your gut instinct as much as anything. Tell the suppliers you’re not using that you have decided to go with someone else.
How we can help
Howard Court is a luxury, exclusive-use wedding venue in delightful North Yorkshire. We work with several strongly recommended and indeed often award-winning suppliers based locally to us. Of course, you’re welcome to choose your own service providers, but we’ve put together our list of trusted ones who we’ve worked with previously, providing all the elements mentioned above, so that the only hitch happens when you tie the knot!
Download a brochure or book a showround today.
