Get ready to open your ears because we’re dishing all those juicy secrets your wedding vendors want you to know. We polled Pittsburgh wedding vendors and asked the ONE thing they really want to tell clients but just can’t. But nothing is stopping us from doing so! From advice about how to hire the best professionals for you to remembering that it’s YOUR wedding and even a few basic wedding planning tips in between, we’ve got the full scoop on what the pros want you to know!
- It’s ok to say that you are moving forward with another vendor. We don’t take it personally but prefer to know definitively what your decision is.
- Consider hiring a wedding planner before any other vendor. They can save you so much time and energy on research by referring a venue and other vendors based on your style, personality, and budget, as well as the vendor’s availability. Plus, we refer vendors we trust and know will go above and beyond for their couples.
- Send one concise email with all of your revisions or thoughts. Too many emails with incomplete thoughts means vendors can’t keep track of your wants, needs, and vision.
- Please don’t bring your whole family or children to venue tours.
- Raw files are never delivered, even if you offer to pay for them. It’s like giving away an unfinished painting.
- When looking for a wedding photographer, always ask to see full galleries so you can see every part of the day through their lens.
- It’s YOUR day to be in the spotlight. Not your mom’s. Not his mom’s. Not that bridesmaid’s. No hovering or other opinions allowed unless you’ve asked for them.
- Please feed us the same meal you feed your guests! “Vendor meals” are terrible. Your vendors will love you when you do them this courtesy.
- Buffer time is your friend! No wedding timeline goes according to plan. Leaving buffer time between major events can help things go smoothly when getting ready takes a little longer or you get stuck in traffic.
- You don’t need to pick two or three specific colors and match everything to them. You can have as many colors as you like and have more of a vibe, than a color scheme.
- Pinterest and Etsy are not a replacement for hiring professionals.
- Photographers do not want a shot list. Sure, it is important to make a list of the family groupings you want photographed. But a shot list does more harm than good. You want to be able to look at your photos and see the candid moments and authentic emotions. It can be hard to capture that if we’re looking down at a long list all day.
- If someone is offering you a crazy cheap price, it’s too good to be true. Price is based on experience, skill level, cost of business, paying assistants, etc. We don’t charge a high number because we feel like it!
- Respect limits on the number of guests you can invite to your appointment, especially at bridal boutiques. These guidelines allow for the best experience for you…trust us!
- Tips are ALWAYS appreciated.
- Videography requires just as much (if not more) skill, time, experience, and equipment as photography does. It is unfortunate that many couples see it as a last minute add-on and don’t value how important it is.
- Don’t skip the cocktail hour. It’s precious time you can be spending with friends and family.
- When hiring a wedding photographer, know what kind of style you want BEFORE you send out inquires to every photographer in Pittsburgh.
- It’s incredibly difficult to execute your vision when too many people are giving their opinions. A vendor’s job is to work with the couple, not their friends or moms. They want YOUR feedback and to build a relationship with YOU.
- Experience matters, especially with wedding planners. Wedding planning is much more than design and styling. There are many surprises that can pop up during the planning process and hiccups that can occur on the big day. Having a planner experienced enough to handle any situation will allow you and your family to truly relax and enjoy your celebration.
- Please don’t send one-line emails that say, “How much do your services cost?” Every wedding is different, and therefore every quote is customized. We are not mind readers and your wedding details and needs are unique to you. Please provide some insight so that we can customize a response based on YOU.
- After having gone to the trouble of researching, vetting, and selecting a team of vendors, it seems counterproductive to micromanage them. Communicate your vision and desires and then count on them to use their expertise to deliver the goods.
Any vendors out there who care to add something? We’re all ears and hope our readers have been too!
All great stuff!!
(1) If you build your wedding registry in a store, your registry advisors will pretty much do whatever it takes to make you happy. That said, please keep in mind that you and your fiance(e) are not their only couple and they may not be able to resolve an issue as soon as it comes up, especially if it’s a complex merchandise issue where they have to contact product vendors, other stores, or wait for verification/approval from corporate before proceeding.
(2) Remember that it’s *your* registry. Your family means well and are excited about this next chapter in your life, but–they are not washing your dishes every day, they are not cooking your meals, they are not sleeping in your bed every night, they are not using your shower on a regular basis, and they are not cleaning your house. Pick what you like and what you’re comfortable with–most stores have a generous return/exchange policy for registry gifts, and you can always add/delete stuff from your registry.
(3) Try not to get too caught up in prices when building your registry, you will just make your self crazy and building your registry won’t be fun. While it is a nice gesture to not want to make your guests feel they have to buy say, expensive cookware sets, if you like it, don’t hesitate to put it on your registry. I’ve had many guests come in and buy a big item as a group (ex. your aunts, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) and I’ve also had guests come in and say they want to buy all the dishes, buy all the towels, you just never know who is going to buy it for you. If it doesn’t get purchased for your shower/wedding, most registry programs do offer coupons and other post-wedding discounts to help you complete your registry. <3
all fantastic additions! thanks for the great insight!