The Vendor Vibe Check (& Who to Hire First!)
Yay! You’re engaged! Now what? It’s a fast spiral from super excited to absolutely panicking as you realize the daunting to do list that now stretches out before you. So, who should you book first, and why? First off, your planner (hi, it’s me!) is the most crucial piece of the puzzle. We have the connections to build a team that is best suited to YOU, your priorities, your budget, your style, aesthetic, ALL. THE. THINGS. And, we know who to call and when.
When it comes to booking your vendor team, we all know the vibe has to be there. That initial consultation call, especially with your planner and your photography/cinema team, should feel like a conversation with an old friend. You should feel comfortable, seen, and instantly connected. And you should leave that call with a weight lifted off your shoulders.
You’ve hired your planner, now what?
Once you’ve found the perfect planner, we will start building your vendor team based on who books only one wedding a day, and by prioritizing what matters most. We typically start with your photo/cinema team for two reasons: They will only book one wedding a day, and when all is said and done, you’ll have the memories and the photos (and video, should you opt for cinema). This is easily the most important key player besides your planning team.
From there, we work down the list of key vendors: Floral designer, Music, Hair & Makeup (if applicable for your wedding), Catering, and Transportation. We will discuss your priorities every step of the way, and align your perfectly matched team with your budget. Is the party everything? Let’s book a band! Do we love a certain floral aesthetic? Whimsical or traditional? We know who to call! Are you big foodies who love to cook together? Let’s prioritize high-end cuisine and high-touch service. Building your vendor team is a matchmaking process and each decision should feel like the best fit as we create your highly specialized dream team.
No wedding is the same, and each of our weddings are produced by teams curated to each unique couple. LAE works with the best of the best in Charlottesville, Virginia. You’ll always catch me singing the praises of our trusted vendor partners, and I’m always happy to refer people who I know hold your wedding in high esteem.
