Recruiting your Vendor Army

Choosing the people that are going to help make your day the best day of your life is very important. Who will arrange the flowers? Who will take the photos? Who will serve food and drinks to you and your guests? With so many options—and so many of these being quality options—available on the wedding scene nowadays, it’s almost impossible to make decisions about vendors. Here are a few tips and hints we have for you to help lessen the burden and make it a fun experience.

Scope out what you already know you love. If you fell in love with the flowers and décor at your best friend’s wedding, be sure to collect details about the vendors she worked with to make it all happen. Don’t make any big decisions right away, but have these businesses on your preferred list if you loved their work.

Begin researching early. The earlier you begin looking at different vendors and what they offer, the sooner you can start the process of choosing one. Look at their websites, blogs, and anything else they use to promote their business. Make sure to take time to also consider the vendors you loved so much from a previous wedding you attended. Often, many people refer you to different vendors also. Don’t blow them off completely; take these options into consideration while you’re conducting your research. The best fit is found through connections through friends and family most of the time!

Look at specific samples of their work. If this vendor is new to you and you haven’t seen any of their work in person, try to work out a way to do so. For example, if a caterer is going to be working a friend or family member’s event, try to sneak in so you can critique their performance. Pay attention to how the photographers interact with the couple and guests at a friend’s wedding, and notice where they stand during the ceremony and reception. They shouldn’t just deliver high quality work, but you should also have good chemistry with them as well. This will lead to good communication, and ultimately, a flawless event!

Have a trial run. After you see their work live, narrow down the group to your top 2 or 3 choices. Then, schedule a trial run. For example; set up a cake tasting, food tasting, have a bouquet arranged, etc. After you do this, you’ll be able to see if the vendor fits your specific tastes.

Double check your budget. After you have seen what you like and what you don’t like, make sure to keep your budget bright in the back of your mind. You want to stick to the numbers without sacrificing quality. So, if you have two top florists you’re considering, go with the company that will fit your budget best.

It can be overwhelming to make vendor decisions, but if you follow these steps, you’ll not only realize and pinpoint your style, but you’ll find the right fit to make that style come to life. Keep calm and plan on soldiers! 

Finding the perfect spot to Say I DO!

After you get engaged, one of the first thoughts that may cross your mind is location. As an events company based in the Pacific Northwest, Elegant Affairs has been fortunate enough to work with some of the most beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces that this corner of the world has to offer; and that’s just in the PNW! There are gorgeous venues throughout the world and as a newly engaged couple, this venue world is your oyster…almost to a fault! There are so many choices that it can be intimidating, making it difficult to narrow them all down to one space. Here are a few things to think about as you go about picking your perfect venue.

1.      Hot or cold. First and foremost, you need to decide if you’re shooting for a summer or winter event. This will help you steer toward an indoor vs. outdoor space, or a venue that offers both. From here you can start deciphering the finer details of what you’re looking for.

2.      Distance. Secondly, consider distance and travel when it comes to the guests you wish to invite on your special day. If your great aunt and uncle are required to be in attendance, contemplate the means of transportation by which they will be traveling to the location and how long it will take for them to do so. You want to be considerate without sacrificing your own dream location; but what makes a party is the people, right? You want everyone you love (whether this number be large or small) to take part in a celebration that you’ll remember for the rest of you and your partner’s life. This holds true for how many kids will be there and what that age group entails as well. One more item that is linked with distance; expense. Anything can ultimately be managed for you and yours, but deliberate with your other half about an average budget your guests can afford when it comes to travel expenses.

3.      Budget. Now we’ll start looking at budget since you have a general idea of what and where. It’s always fun to tour different venues, but you don’t want to fall in love with something that you won’t be able to afford; the heartbreak can be unreal in this situation. Talk it over with your partner and when you come to a mutual agreement, begin to tour the venues you can afford following the above guidelines you’ve already laid out for yourself. This will make the process much less stressful knowing you can say yes if you want to. You will be confident and excited when you look at the owner of the venue and say, “we’ll take it.”

4.      Your needs. After you’ve decided on indoor/outdoor (or combination), the distance/general geographical location you’re aiming for, and the budget you and your other half have decided upon, you can finally look at the nitty gritty; what you want your wedding to feel like, look like, and where everyone will be prepping, eating, and dancing. This is the most fun!

Although it can be a bit intimidating, picking out the perfect venue for you and your fiancé can be a joyful and thrilling experience if you follow these