The How To’s of Wedding Planning: Building Your Team

Choosing the team members that are going to help make the day perfect for the client is no easy task. It is time consuming and stressful, but it is the most important part of putting the wedding together. From the vendors you source to your own staff members, having the right people around you makes your job much easier.

Have options

Don’t rush to hire a vendor just because in the moment it seems like the right fit.  Do your research. Look at reviews and referrals, and get proposals for all of the potential vendors before making a decision. And of course, make sure you get the bride and groom’s input before settling on one vendor.

Keep schedules and timelines

Make sure all contracted vendors have signed off on the timeline for the days leading up to and the day of the event. The only person who is allowed to be late is the bride! Regularly meet with vendors on location as you get close to the event to ensure everyone is on the same page. Give out a detailed schedule for the day of the wedding, and make sure that all vendors and staff know what is happening when. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Your bride will thank you for making sure everything goes perfectly!

Budget Allocation

Make sure appropriate amounts of money are allocated to each part of the event. Typically, 48%-50% goes to the reception, 10%-12% goes to the photographer, and the ceremony, attire, music, decor and misc. get 8%-10% each. Stay on top of what your spending and make sure the bride and groom are not over budget.

Always follow up!

A few days after the event has ended, reach out to your vendors to make sure there are no overages. Send a hand written note to the bride and groom, thanking them for the opportunity to help with their wedding. They will be very happy to see you reached out. Although, you may want to wait until after the honeymoon!