In this episode of our "12 Steps from Engaged to I Do" series, we’re focusing on Booking Your Key Vendors First. We’re diving into why you need to book key vendors like caterers, celebrants, photographers, and videographers early in the planning process. Since many of these vendors only handle one wedding per day, locking them in ahead of time ensures you secure your preferred team for the big day.

Catering can be one of the larger expenses, especially if your venue doesn’t include it, and the type of catering you choose will impact your budget significantly. Similarly, finding the right celebrant is crucial, not only to make your wedding official but also to ensure your ceremony feels meaningful. When it comes to capturing memories, photographers are a must-have, and their unique style is something to consider carefully. Videographers, though often overlooked, add an extra layer by capturing the emotion and motion of your day, allowing you to relive those moments over and over.

When reaching out to vendors, doing a little research first will save time and help you find the right match. Review their work online, check price guides to ensure they fit your budget, and provide detailed information in your initial enquiry to receive a more accurate quote. Also, be patient while waiting for responses, and don’t hesitate to ask about package flexibility if needed. If you choose not to move forward with a vendor, letting them know is a polite and appreciated gesture.

To wrap things up, booking your key vendors early will set the stage for a smooth wedding day. In the next episode, we’ll discuss other important vendors and offer more tips for making the planning process stress-free. Thanks for listening!

Other Episodes Mentioned:
The Role and Value of a Celebrant: A Conversation with Marry Us Mich
https://www.cutthecakepodcast.com.au/episodes/marry-us-mich

About Melanie
Mel is a coffee-loving, too-loud laughing, Melbourne based wedding planner, stylist and coordinator bringing the #skillz approved by Sia to your open-air aisle, outside the city (yes sirly - she has worked with Sia!) Altering managing world-class events in sport and entertainment (think the Australian Open and Sir Paul McCartney), Melanie has rolled that experience in sunshine and hand-delivered it to couples for a personalised dream wedding experience *yes please* Mel's speciality is helping couples across Melbourne & Regional Victoria. She is a couples go-to and wedding day bestie so the whole wedding she-bang doesn’t become a second full-time job. #nothanks

instagram.com/mellyrain.creative
Contact Mel: mellyrain.com.au/contact

About Tania
Tania is an award nominated, coffee obsessed lover of love, and all round stationery nerd... & that is why she started the Event Wanderer Co. After years wrangling Ballkids at the Australian Open, she stepped into the world of weddings and turned her hand to design, combining a love of stationery with today's modern design and printing techniques to bring her biz baby to life. Tania's speciality is all things stationery and signage and also understanding the stress that event and wedding planning can bring and she's here to help you navigate the chaos of the journey.

instagram.com/eventwandererco/
Contact Tania: eventwandererco.com.au/pages/contact