Here are a few ideas about questions that you need to ask yourself and indeed your wedding suppliers when you are considering using their services for your wedding...

Venue

• Is it available on your chosen date?
• Will it accommodate all your guests?
• Is it close to your ceremony venue?
• Is the price within your budget?
• Does is have in-house caterers with menus you like the look of?
• Will there be other weddings taking place on the same day
• Can you move furniture or pictures?
• Is there accommodation for your guests? Will you get a discounted rate?
• Are you able to have marquee/band/candles/fireworks?
• If you want, can you have a late bar?
• Does the quoted price include VAT and service charge?

Dress

• Is there a fee to try on dresses?
• Will other girls be trying on dresses at the same time as you?
• How long is your appointment?
• Are there a maximum number of dresses you can try on?
• How many people can you bring with you?
• How long should you allow to have your dress made?
• How much do alterations cost?
• How many fittings will you have?
• What do you need to bring with you, e.g., shoes, lingerie etc?
• Are co-ordinating accessories available?
• Do you need to pay a deposit, and when do you pay the balance?
• Do you need to collect your dress when it’s ready, or can it be delivered?

Photography

• Does the photographer have a website you can look at to view previous work?
• Do they shoot on film or use a digital camera?
• Is their style of photography reportage (less formal) or traditional (posed)?
• How many pictures will they take?
• Who will have copyright of the pictures?
• How long will the photographer stay on the day?
• Will they visit the venue beforehand?
• How long after the wedding will you receive your photographs?
• How do their fees work, per shot or per package?
• Will you have access to an online gallery of the pictures?

Flowers

• Where can you see examples of the florist’s work?
• Are they the recommended florist of any particular venue?
• How many other weddings is the florist doing on the same day as yours?
• Will the florist you’ve consulted be the actual person doing your flowers?
• Can they help you keep within budget?
• Is there a maximum distance they will travel to dress your venue?
• When will you pay them, and how?
• How far in advance do you need to confirm your order?
• Do they charge for breakages?
• How long do they need to set up?

Catering

• Can menus be mixed and matched?
• Do they have testimonials you can see?
• Can they adapt menus to fit your budget?
• Do they offer a menu tasting service?
• Do you have to pay for a menu tasting?
• What does their service include? Do they provide waiting staff?
• Do they provide alcohol, or could you get it cheaper elsewhere?
• If you do provide your own wine, will the corkage costs offset your savings?

Cake

• Can you see examples of your cake maker’s styles of work?
• Can you choose from a selection of different cake fillings?
• Is it possible to sample these cake fillings to choose your favourite?
• Can they make any cake for you, or do they specialise in certain styles?
• Is there a minimum spend?
• How can they help you save money/stick to your budget?
• Can you have mixed-flavour layers?
• When will you pay, and how?
• Will they come to your venue to assemble the cake on the day?

Entertainment

• Does your DJ have a versatile play list?
• Out of interest, have they played at our reception site before?
  
• Does your DJ do any party games?
• Do you act as the “emcee” and make all of the announcements?
  
• How long is your bands set?
  
• Does y our band play recorded music between sets?
• Can your band provide a demo CD?
• Do they need to be added to the catering head count?
• When will you pay, and how?
• Do they need a room to get changed?
• How long do they need to set up?

---

Add this page to your favourite Social Bookmarking websites