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Planning your wedding is an exciting time, but with so many decisions to make, choosing your wedding suppliers can sometimes feel overwhelming.
From photographers and florists to wedding bands, DJs, cake designers, makeup artists, transport companies and décor specialists, there are countless suppliers to choose from. So how do you know who you can trust with such an important part of your wedding day?
At Lucan Spa Hotel, we have worked with many different wedding suppliers over the years and have seen first-hand just how much the right suppliers can contribute to a fantastic wedding day.
With that in mind, here are some of our top tips for choosing your wedding suppliers and making sure you find the right people for your big day.
1. Don't Choose a Supplier Based on Price Alone
Your wedding budget is important, but the cheapest quote isn't necessarily the best value.
When comparing suppliers, make sure you're comparing like with like. One photographer might charge less than another, but perhaps their package includes fewer hours, fewer photographs or a different level of editing. The same applies to florists, entertainment, wedding cakes and other suppliers. Remember, lower price ≠ value.
Don't simply look for the cheapest supplier – look for the supplier offering the best overall value for your wedding and hits the key areas you are seeking for your day.
2. Read Reviews – But Don't Just Look at the Star Rating
Online reviews can be incredibly helpful when researching wedding suppliers. However, don't just look at whether someone has a 4.9 or 5-star rating. Take the time to read what previous couples actually say.
Pay particular attention to comments about:
· Communication.
· Reliability.
· Professionalism.
· Quality of their work.
· Punctuality.
· Customer service.
· How they handled unexpected problems.
It's also worth looking at how a supplier responds to negative reviews.
One negative review shouldn't necessarily put you off. Even excellent businesses can occasionally have an unhappy customer. What matters is whether there are repeated complaints about the same issue and how professionally the supplier responds.
Photo: Trendphotography.ie
3. Look at Their Previous Work
A good wedding supplier should be happy to show you examples of their previous work.
If you're booking a photographer, don't just look at the photographs on Instagram. Ask whether you can see a full wedding gallery.
This will give you a much better idea of their photography style and what you can realistically expect from an entire wedding day.
The same applies to other suppliers.
If you're choosing a florist, look at different weddings they've created flowers for. If you're booking a cake designer, look at examples of different designs and styles.
You may find that a supplier produces beautiful work – but their style simply isn't right for you.
The best wedding supplier isn't necessarily the one with the biggest portfolio. It's the one whose work matches your vision.
4. Pay Attention to How They Communicate
Communication is one of the biggest indicators of a good wedding supplier.
Your suppliers don't have to reply to every message immediately. They are busy working with other couples and, in many cases, will be working at weddings at weekends.
However, they should communicate professionally and give you the information you need within a reasonable timeframe.
Be cautious if:
· Emails regularly go unanswered.
· You constantly have to chase for information.
· Prices or arrangements keep changing.
· Important details aren't confirmed in writing.
· You find it difficult to contact them after paying your deposit.
Good communication before your wedding is a reassuring sign that your supplier is organised and takes their commitments seriously.
Photo: Trendphotography.ie
5. Ask What Happens If Something Goes Wrong
This might not be the first question you think of when booking your wedding suppliers, but it's an important one. Nobody wants to imagine a supplier being unable to attend their wedding. Unfortunately, illness, emergencies and unexpected circumstances can happen.
Ask your supplier:
“What happens if you can't attend our wedding?”
A professional supplier should have some form of contingency plan.
For example, a photographer may have another photographer they can call upon. An entertainment company may have backup equipment or alternative performers available.
You aren't being negative by asking the question. You're simply making sure there is a plan in place just in case.
6. Make Sure Your Agreement Is in Writing
Once you've decided on a supplier, make sure you receive written confirmation of your booking. Ideally, you should also be provided with a contract that highlights the key points of your booking. A contract protects both you and the wedding supplier, so there should be no issue in requesting for one.
Receipts and contracts should be provided DURING THE PROCESS as you pay the initial deposit.
Don't rely solely on a conversation or messages on social media.
A professional supplier should have clear terms and conditions and should be happy to explain anything you're unsure about before you pay your deposit.
Photo: Trendphotography.ie
7. Be Careful If You Feel Pressured to Book
Wedding dates can be in high demand, particularly during the summer and on Saturdays. It's perfectly reasonable for a supplier to let you know that they have limited availability.
However, there's a difference between explaining genuine availability and putting unnecessary pressure on you to book immediately. Be cautious if you feel that you're being pushed into making a decision before you've had an opportunity to consider the service, price and terms properly.
You should feel excited about booking your supplier – not uncomfortable or pressured.
8. Ask Lots of Questions
You've probably never planned a wedding before. Your suppliers, on the other hand, may have worked at hundreds of weddings. Use their experience. Ask them:
“What do couples usually forget?”
“What would you recommend?”
“How long will you need to set up?”
“What do you need from us before the wedding?”
“What happens on the day itself?”
A good supplier should welcome your questions and be happy to explain how everything works. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about asking something you don't know.
Photo: Trendphotography.ie
9. Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes a supplier can look perfect on paper. They have great reviews, beautiful photographs and a competitive price – but something doesn't feel quite right.
Don't ignore that feeling.
Your wedding suppliers are people you are trusting with some of the most important elements of your day. You should feel comfortable talking to them and confident that they understand what you're looking for.
Ask yourself:
Do they listen to us?
Do they understand our ideas?
Do we feel comfortable asking questions?
Do they seem organised and professional?
Do we trust them to deliver what they've promised?
If the answer is yes, you've probably found a good match.
10. Ask Your Wedding Venue for Recommendations
One of the biggest advantages of choosing an experienced wedding venue is the knowledge that comes with hosting weddings regularly.
Your wedding venue will have worked with photographers, florists, entertainers, cake designers, décor companies and many other wedding professionals.
They can often tell you which suppliers are experienced, reliable and familiar with the venue.
At Lucan Spa Hotel, our wedding team has years of experience helping couples plan their wedding day. We are happy to recommend suppliers and, importantly, couples are also free to choose their own suppliers.
For couples who would prefer to simplify the process, our All-Inclusive Sterling Package brings together a selection of local wedding suppliers, including a photographer, florist, wedding cake supplier, wedding suits and entertainment, alongside the wedding reception at Lucan Spa Hotel.
The package is designed to take some of the stress out of finding individual suppliers while giving couples access to suppliers we are proud to recommend.
Photo: M&M Photography.
11. Watch out for classic red flags
Over the years, we’ve learned to watch out for a number of tell-tale signs that suggest a wedding supplier may not be the most professional or offer the best service possible. Some of the red flags to watch out for are:
No booking deposit or written booking confirmation: A legitimate supplier will normally have a clear process for securing your date and confirming exactly what you've booked. Think about it; why would a supplier who is confident on their product or service not insist on a booking fee as a commitment of intent from their couples?
Insisting on cash payment: Particularly if they are reluctant to provide a receipt or invoice. Couples should be comfortable asking for proper documentation of payments. Also, think of the logistics of arranging cash payment, particularly for larger wedding suppliers such as bands or photographers.
Reviews that seem suspicious or are all very recent: Unfortunately, the industry is rife with artificial or fake online reviews. Look for genuine, detailed reviews over a period of time rather than relying solely on a large number of generic five-star reviews.
Prices that seem too good to be true: A significantly cheaper quote than everyone else isn't automatically a problem, but it is worth finding out why. Make sure you're comparing like-for-like packages.
Poor or inconsistent communication: If you're struggling to get replies before you've even booked them, consider how difficult it might be to contact them as your wedding approaches.
They don't ask you any questions: This is a slightly less obvious one. A good supplier should want to understand your wedding, your expectations and what you're looking for. If they seem interested only in taking the payment, that's worth considering.
If you're looking for a wedding venue in Dublin where you can have support throughout your wedding planning journey, we'd love to welcome you to Lucan Spa Hotel.
Our experienced wedding coordinators can talk you through our flexible wedding packages, recommended suppliers and the many options available for your special day. We host everything from intimate celebrations to larger weddings and offer both indoor and outdoor ceremony options.
Contact our wedding team today to arrange a private viewing and start planning your perfect day.