How To Take Care of Your Most Important Guests - Wedding Vendors!

You’ve made sure you have everything in order for your big day. The cake is ordered, your dress is hanging in the closet, and all of the centerpieces have been carefully picked - you are ready.

But, if you are like many excited brides (or grooms) there is likely one thing you’ve left off your final checklist...

Taking care of your wedding vendors.

Believe it or not, there is etiquette for taking care of your vendors that goes beyond making sure they are booked. And, so you don’t commit a wedding day faux pas, I have put together this quick little guide for you to follow to help you make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Tip #1 Have Your Payments Ready to Go!

Today, most wedding vendors require at least a deposit up-front or a credit card on file to charge you for their services on the day of your event. But, if you happen to have a wedding vendor that requires payment on-site in the form of a check or cash, having their payment ready to go will be helpful to both them and you!

As a wedding photographer, I always find it so nice when my payment is sealed up in a little envelope and handed to me at the beginning of the day.

To do this for your wedding vendors I recommend getting your envelopes with payments ready a couple of days beforehand and then giving the responsibility of delivering the payments to a trusted family member (perhaps a parent or sibling).

That way you know everything is taken care of, but you don’t have to think about it on your big day!
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Tip #2 Feed Your Vendors

Your wedding planner, photographer, videographer, and DJ put in A LOT of work on your wedding day. I’m talking walking thousands of steps, going for hours without taking a bathroom break, and showing up even when they are sick all to make sure your perfect day comes together.

And, although you pay them a fee for their services giving them a nice meal is MORE than appreciated!

​Just make sure your vendors know they are welcome to help themselves to the buffet or give them a place card for a seated dinner to ensure they get the meals you have paid for.

Tip #3 Don’t forget the tips!

Now, don’t panic here - you don’t have to tip EVERY vendor for your wedding. Even if you have a super affordable wedding photographer they likely include all of their fees in the price of their services for the day.

​As you are planning your payments for the day, make note of each vendor’s contracts and which contracts include gratuity. If there is no gratuity included, you should consider including a tip with their payment ranging from 10%-20% depending on the services they provide.

Now that you have wedding vendor etiquette down, you are definitely ready to head down the aisle for the best day of your life.

But, if you are still in need an affordable wedding photographer...I might just know someone you can talk to!