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Choosing your wedding vendors in the Sacramento area can be overwhelming. Our guide is here to help you know exactly what you should look for in your vendor.

Your wedding vendors are integral to helping your wedding day go smoothly. These are the people that make the magic happen behind the scenes, leaving you with nothing but a picture-perfect, fairytale wedding day. The problem? There are so many wedding vendors in the Sacramento area that it can feel absolutely overwhelming when you’re beginning to plan your wedding. In this post, we’re covering everything you need to know about wedding vendors, areas of the wedding that a vendor could provide value, and offering tips and tricks about what you should look for in your vendor contact before signing the contract.

What should I consider when choosing a vendor for my wedding?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions for new brides and couples alike. Really, there is no right or wrong answer, as this can vary depending on the type of wedding you want to have. You may be a person who is thinking of a complex, multi-stage wedding with different immersive experiences for yourself and your guests. Or, you might be wanting more simplistic, elegant beauty that requires just a few people to pull off.

Regardless of the complexity level of your dream wedding, there are certain bases that you’ll likely need to cover to make sure that you and your guests are completely taken care of. From the wedding party to reception, here’s our top list of common areas that vendors can assist you in, and what exactly they can add to your experience:

Wedding Photographer
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This means that you’ll be needing a photographer to capture every special detail and moment for you and your loved ones. There are hundreds of freelance or agency photographers in Sacramento or the surrounding area, so you’re sure to connect with one that is able to perfectly capture your taste and style.

Equipment, Table, and Chair Rentals
This is vital to your special day, but it is often one of the most overlooked logistical missteps! Choosing a quality table and chair rental service ensures that your wedding day can go off without a hitch using quality and elegant-looking equipment that you can count on.

Floral Artist
Working with a local florist in the Sacramento area can give you access to beautiful, seasonal blooms and unique compositions that help to make your special day yours. You can incorporate floral elements at nearly every stage of the wedding celebration, whether you’re having a largescale reception or a simple, intimate elopement.

Caterer or Chef
There’s one thing that no celebration can be complete without — delicious, regional tastes and eats. Central and Northern California wedding hot spots are home to some of the most gorgeous wineries and farmlands in the world, so you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to sink your teeth into a delicious dish that can be made to commemorate your special day. Fuel up for the wedding by incorporating meal breaks throughout the morning of and time prior to make sure you’re ready to celebrate all night long.

DJ or Live Performers
Your music choices are vital in setting the mood for your special day, which means that you’ll likely want to hire a DJ service or a group of live performers. These musicians are able to create the perfect soundtrack for your day based on your tastes and preferences, making this a worthwhile expense.

What should I consider when choosing a vendor for my wedding?

Choosing a stellar wedding vendor comes down to preparation done ahead of time. The prechoosing steps are a process in itself, but can yield high rewards in the result of a perfect, sparkling wedding experience. Read on to learn the different considerations that you should think about before signing on the dotted line:

Determine your ideal price point
Determining what you and your partner are willing to spend on any vendor type is key to keeping you in budget, but still ensuring that you’ll walk away with the wedding of your dreams. A common misconception is that there are going to be no vendors to work with if you are on a strict budget … but that just isn’t the case.

If you’re trying to be frugal, consider working with community vendors or smaller businesses. They may have options for flexible payment or packages that could align with your wedding needs. This step is the first step we recommend because when you take the time to do this, you’ll be able to more clearly communicate needs and expectations with any vendor that you’re vetting.

Ask for testimonials or review client referrals
If you’re working with a quality vendor, they will be prepared to offer your past work examples, client testimonials, or referrals upon request. Working with trusted vendors increases your potential to have a stress-free, amazing wedding day, and can be an indication of the scope, range, and depth of your vendor’s services.

You can also plan ahead for this step as well, looking at their website, client experiences, and online reviews from a variety of sources in order to get a general idea of what they can offer, what they do well, and what you may need to account for.

Offer them as much information as you can on introductory meetings and calls
Your vendors will be able to deliver (and overdeliver) on your special day if you provide them with all the information you can about your vision, your goals, and your expectations. Don’t be afraid of going into too much detail. Any sort of information, including lists, visuals, idea boards, Pinterest boards or any form of guidelines specific to your day or venue will be helpful in creating the event of a lifetime.

Your vendors will be able to Communication is a two-way street. If you work to establish a comfortable, conversational relationship with your vendors, you could get the added benefit of them offering different tips or ways to enhance your special day, as well as empowering them to let you know exactly what they need to make your wedding a success.

Read the fine print
When reviewing contracts, be sure to read every line of the fine print, as well as any spec sheets or deliverable outlines that you are given. This is crucial to ensure that both your vision and your logistical parameters are in alignment with what the vendor is agreeing to provide. This is a common misstep due to the overall stress and bustle of the wedding process, and can significantly impact your ability to have a seamless day.

If you aren’t sure about what the offer is, consider asking your partner or a close friend or family member to read through it as well to ensure that no detail is overlooked. Sign at your leisure and when you feel comfortable and confident that the vendor can deliver. Never be afraid to ask extra questions or for a revision, if needed!