Are you counting days for your big day? Do you feel butterflies in your stomach whenever you think about your wedding, that’s fine we all go through a little bit of anxiety but being worried is not the solution to your problem. The most special day of your life is just around the corner, and both of you need to make a great plan so that everything goes well on that special day. Whether it is the banquet hall, photography, venue, florist, makeup or decoration – you certainly want everything to be perfect, right? Don’t worry; all you need are the experts who can make your wedding day special. 

 

Wedding planners and vendors are those who can make your wedding day more memorable for you and your partner. So, it is really important to choose the right vendors for your wedding day. Starting from the wedding band to the florist, from the cake designer or the photographer – the beauty of your wedding pretty much depends on whom you choose. However, in such a competitive world, finding an authentic professional is a daunting task, isn’t it? Don’t worry! Here we have few tips for you to choose the perfect wedding planner for your special day!

 

 

1) Do the Basics First

Digging into the final planning will make things more entwined if you don’t pay attention to the basics. The first thing you need to do for a complete wedding preparation is to get in touch with a Toronto wedding planner who will take complete care of your needs. Sometimes, wedding planners also have a team of vendors to handle different areas, but if you want each of your wedding vendor to be thoroughly professional and well-established, you can select your vendors with the help of your wedding planner. Chances are your wedding planner has worked with multiple vendors in the industry and knows which ones are reliable and which are not. 

 

When selecting wedding experts like photographers, makeup artist, wedding decorators or caterers, write down the names of the best ones in the Toronto area and get in touch with them to schedule appointments. If you are going for a destination wedding and cannot arrange a face-to-face meeting with the vendors, then you can simply opt for a video call. Meeting someone in person will give you a clearer perspective regarding their attitude and their professionalism. If you are meeting your vendors, make an effort to arrive on time and speak openly about your expectations and your vision. Don’t forget to listen to what they say, because that’s the way you will be able to understand their perspective and feedback. 

 

 

2) Sit With Your Partner And Plan A Budget:

Now it’s time to get real! All you require is money to have a fairy-tale wedding. So, plan your budget depending on the venue you have chosen or the number of guests who will be present in your wedding. Discuss with your partner about what he/she feels regarding the wedding budget. Sometimes arguments may occur if you have a particular DJ in mind, but your partner doesn’t approve of him because of his high charges. Settle all these small spats before finalizing a meeting with the vendors. Plan your wedding according to what you both value the most. It might be the menu or the decoration, no matter what it is, know the likes and dislikes of each other while you plan your budget and create a priority list and put those things on top which you both have agreed upon. Don’t forget to make a list of the top Toronto wedding planners before you finally start contacting them.

 

3) Talk With Your Friends And Relatives: 

If one of your friends or relatives have recently got married, then have a talk with them. They can perfectly guide you about finding the right Toronto wedding planner and other vendors. Take advice from different people and choose what they have described as the “best.” Not just the best ones, also ask them about the wedding vendors whom they didn’t like and know the reasons as well. Sometimes your friends are the best people to advise you on whom to choose and whom not to.

 

4) Client Reviews Are A Great Tool:

Before meeting with your wedding planner and your other vendors, you should quickly check their reviews on popular sites like Google Places, Wedding Wire, and other popular review sites to see if their reputation is consistent. Checking customer reviews will help you decide the pros and cons of a particular vendor or the Toronto wedding planner you have in mind.

 

5) Choose Vendors Who Know The Venue Well:

A team of vendors who have worked at your chosen venue before will be more efficient as they will know what will be the best way to design and decorate the setting. You can also opt for a Toronto wedding planner who already has a network of vendors who have events there consistently. Alternatively, you can also ask the. However, when it comes to a photographer, choose someone who is unfamiliar with the place. It will bring freshness to the photos, angles, and poses for your wedding photos.

 

 

6) Negotiate, But Not Too Much:

Negotiation is good, but you should know how much is too much. Your vendors must accept your budget in the first place, or else they will not put their best effort. The best vendors will always suggest you ways to cut down the expenses rather than extending your budget. Choosing the right Toronto wedding planner will also help you stay economical. Keep in mind that most services that you hire for the day of the wedding will be easier to get some discount, however, if your actual buying products such as food, wedding flowers and or decorations it may be harder to get discounts since the majority of products are imported from North America & South America or even China. The majority of the time most international trade involves American currency, and it becomes a lot more expensive to purchase actual products on a lower Canadian Dollar.

 

7) Don’t Hesitate To Say “No”:

If you are unhappy with one of your wedding vendors, then don’t hesitate to walk away. Keep your conversation as professional as possible. Express your problems openly to them, if they cannot come up with any suitable solution, then they are not the right ones for you. If you have already signed a contract, then pay them the fees but don’t make it an excuse to stick to the wrong team. A lot of times if you are having an issue most vendors are more than happy to help solve whatever problem you might be experiencing. Give them the opportunity first to solve any issues you may have before canceling your agreement.

 

8) Consider Whether You Can Get Along Well With Your Wedding Vendors:

Another important thing that you should take into consideration is the personality of the wedding vendor you are choosing. The wedding day is the most special day, and you can’t afford to ruin the mood because of a wedding vendor! So, make sure that your personalities get along well so that you don’t feel something is wrong on your big day.

 

A wedding vendor should be able to understand your anxiety and keep you at ease rather than increasing your tension. Check whether your vendors are always available on phone or ring back. If they don’t pay attention to your individual needs and try to impose their thoughts upon you, then they are certainly not the right ones for you.

 

This is why; it is important to determine whether you can get along with your vendors or they are just making it harder for you. When it comes to the response time of wedding vendors usually most of them will reply to your emails later at night or beginning of the week. Typically most vendors have weddings to attend on the weekends so if you don’t hear a reply from them during the weekend, that’s normal.

 

9) Use The Most Powerful Search Engine On Earth, Google!

Google is a blessing if you can use it in the right way. So, why not use it when you need to find the best wedding planner in Toronto ? Search the best wedding planners on Google, and you will find the websites of several top wedding vendors in your area. Check them out and decide whether they are perfect for you or not. Typically any vendor you see on the top page of Google is usually a safe bet as long as they have good reviews as well. Businesses that make an effort to improve their visibility on Google are usually reputable companies that are serious about delivering great customer experience and protecting their brand image.

 

 

10) Check Restriction for Certain Vendors:

In the haste and hurry, you might forget about this point that certain vendors are not allowed in some venues. Therefore, check whether your vendors are restricted in an area or not. If you find this out later, this might be a complete fiasco. You certainly don’t want to cancel your Toronto wedding planner or change your photographer just because they are prohibited in your wedding venue, right? This is why; either choose a flexible venue or vendors who are allowed everywhere. Simply asking your event coordinator at your banquet hall if the list of vendors you have chosen are allowed on site.

 

11) Take To Social Media:

Nothing can give you a better idea of the previous works of the vendors than their social media page. Most of the top wedding planners post regularly on popular social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, etc. of their most recent projects. So, this will give you a clear idea about who will cater to your individual needs. Check the social media pages as well as the comments of their customers. Some good reviews will also be available on their Facebook page.

 

12) Check The Websites Of The Top Toronto Wedding Planners:

Don’t neglect the websites. The website of a wedding vendor will give you an idea of what to expect from them. Browse their websites and check what services are offered by your Toronto wedding planner . Here you can also find out what the planner includes in their packages, and that will help you narrow down your search for the right vendors.

Wedding planners usually work with a complete team of vendors. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about choosing vendors separately if you hire an experienced wedding planner. However, if you have chosen to select each vendor individually, then here are some questions you need to ask them before sealing the deal.

 

Top 7 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Vendors

After discussing all the things that you need to take into consideration, here is a list of what you should ask your vendors before selecting them.

 

1. How long have the vendors been working in this field? 

When it comes to wedding vendors, experience matters. Like all the other jobs, wedding planning also needs experience. Only a knowledgeable Toronto wedding vendor can turn your dream marriage into reality. Whether it is a traditional marriage or a destination wedding.

 

2. Ask them to send photographs of their recent work or check their gallery page

When choosing a Toronto wedding planner , always ask them to send the photographs of their recent works. It will help you judge whether they are eligible to work for you or not. Especially for photographers, this is a vital step. You must check their previous wedding projects and take your time to decide. Although this plan will not work for the caterers as you will not get to taste the food beforehand. For caterers, take a recommendation from others and ask if they specialize in the dishes or the cuisine that you prefer for your wedding.

 

 

3. What is the payment structure?

Payment is one of the most important things you need to keep in mind. So, ask your wedding vendor which method of payment they accept. Along with it, ask them about the cancellation policy.

 

 

4. Check Whether They Have Any Liability Insurance:

It is especially important for those vendors who will bring their equipment to the venue such the photographer or the band. If they have no liability insurance, you have to get your own policy.

 

 

5. Ask them about their backup plan:

There really is no such thing as a backup plan, since your wedding day is only one day and no vendor can make up for the day of the wedding if their products or services are not delivered. Our best suggestion for a backup plan is to hire vendors who have excellent reviews. Having an all-star team of trusted vendors with an excellent reputation is the best piece of mind you can have on your wedding day.

 

Keep in mind that any vendor that already has great reviews will most likely protect their reputation at all costs. They are in the business to stay in business; no vendor wants to upset their clients or ruin anyone's day. Vendors are all self-employed people, and their reputation will determine the success of their business. However, if you decide to choose a vendor who has no reviews on any online platform, it may be risky. Unless they tell you explicitly that they are new in the industry and are building up their portfolio.

 

6. If There Is Any Travel Fee For Destination Wedding:

If you are opting for a destination wedding or if you are hiring vendors from another town, then ask your vendors if they will charge you extra for traveling to a particular place. 

 

 

7. Make Sure. They Do Not Have Hidden Charges:

Many couples had faced this issue when they were charged with some hidden fees by their wedding planner. So, have a clear idea about prices. Typically all payments and deliverables are discussed ahead of time and unless you change the agreement and order additional add-ons from any of your vendors, then obviously you will get charged accordingly.

 

By following all the above tips and suggestions from this article, you will end up with a big day completely hassle-free and heavenly with the help of the right Toronto wedding planner and vendor on your team. If you have any questions about planning your wedding day, reach out to us using the contact form, and we will contact you immediately.