Book Wedding Vendors Early - Raleigh, North Carolina.

Booking your vendors early is the single greatest way to rid yourself of added stress as you’re wedding planning. There are couples all over, every day, planning weddings just like you and if you live in a popular wedding destination, chances are that your first choice vendors will be getting lots of calls. In order to get the vendor of your dreams, it’s best to book early.

Start with a wedding planner. Research and lock in a great wedding planner as soon as you can to help you navigate the whole process with ease.

After securing a planner, the next thing you should do is book your ceremony and reception venues. Most of them are booked more than a year in advance so prepare to be patient. If you don’t want to wait that long, consider alternative options like a weekday wedding. A benefit is that once you complete this big “to do,” you can plan the rest of your event around it.

Photography and videography are two also two tasks to stay on top off. Some photographers book up to two years in advance! Do your research and reach out to your first choice as soon as you can.

Meet with a caterer and cake baker. While they’re not the first decisions you need to make, if you have a caterer you dream of hiring, it’s best to get on their calendar as soon as you can. The same goes for cake bakers/artists. If you’re getting married on a popular weekend, you want to make sure they can squeeze you in.

Don’t forget about the entertainment. Research and find a great DJ, or live band, and lock them into your date. The best DJs are often booked well in advance, especially if you come from a small town/community.

And last but not least – secure your hotel rooms! If you live in a big city, or if your wedding is happening the same weekend as a big event, hotel rooms will be scarce. To ensure your guests have a place to stay, contact a hotel and get a block of rooms reserved for your event. You’ll be glad you did.

Securing vendors early saves you time, stress and money. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you got the vendors you love and you can start thinking about all of the other fun details that go along with wedding planning.

photo via Katie Lopez Photography