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Your wedding suppliers play a huge part in bringing your day to life — from your photographer and florist to your band, cake designer, venue team, and celebrant. Choosing the right suppliers is important, but knowing how to work with them well can make all the difference.
Here are some simple ways to make sure you get the very best from every supplier involved in your wedding day.
📝 Be Clear About Your Vision
Before meeting suppliers, take some time as a couple to decide what style and atmosphere you want for your day. This will help you choose a wedding supplier that matches your vision perfectly. It will also help you avoid complications or limitations later down the road during planning.
💬 Communicate Early and Honestly
Honestly, we cannot stress this enough. Good communication is key. Be upfront about your budget, your priorities, and your expectations from the beginning.
Suppliers work best when they have clear information, including:
• timings for the day.
• guest numbers.
• preferred styles or themes.
• any must-have details.
• any restrictions or special requests.
The more detail they have, the better they can tailor their service to suit you. Suppliers aren’t mind readers, and they won’t match up with your expectations if your communication isn’t clear. And trust us, as wedding venue coordinators, we don’t mind the emails and calls! We would much prefer this than poor communication or the feeling we are trying to draw blood from a stone.
💶 Be Clear on Payment Terms
Being fully aware of each supplier’s payment terms is essential when planning your wedding budget. Take note of deposit requirements, interim payments and when the final balance is due. Trust us – we’ve seen this cause major issues on the day when communication is out of sync – the story of a dance floor company refusing to put down an LED floor because there was no one there to pay them will live long in the memory ☹
Also, understanding cancellation policies and date-change terms from the beginning can help prevent confusion later and allows you to plan your finances with confidence.
Photo: Trendphotography.ie.
⏰ Book Early and Stay Organised
The best wedding suppliers can book out well in advance, especially for popular dates in Ireland which include Saturdays in the summer months or key dates around Christmas. Once you’ve chosen your key suppliers, secure them early and keep all contracts, emails and payment dates organised. A simple spreadsheet or wedding planning folder can help keep everything in one place.
Extra Tip: A booking contract protects both you and your wedding supplier. We would always recommend insisting on a contract from all your key suppliers.
🤝 Trust Their Expertise, but don’t let them influence your plans
The best wedding suppliers have a wealth of experience behind them and will be able to recommend tips and ideas that will help your day flow better. Trust them to do what they do best. Your florist knows which flowers will work in season, your photographer understands lighting and timing, and your band knows how to read the room. However, as mentioned earlier, it is important to be clear and concise with each supplier. Your florist doesn’t know your mother is allergic to lilies, your photographer doesn’t know you are desperate for a photo with your favourite aunt and your band certainly don’t know your future husband’s ex was called Caroline (you don’t want Sweet Caroline blaring the room!)
Photo: Jackies Florist.
📅 Give Them a Detailed Schedule
A clear timeline helps every supplier work together smoothly.
Share:
• ceremony time.
• drinks reception schedule.
• meal timings.
• speeches.
• first dance.
• entertainment slots.
When everyone knows the flow of the day, it creates a seamless experience for you and your guests. It also helps avoid those last-minute calls and emails on the days leading up to your day.
A good tip is to plan to do a final check with your suppliers a few weeks from your day. This offers a time to run through any final details in a calm and professional manner.
🤝 Keep Suppliers Informed About Each Other
If multiple suppliers will be working on the same day—such as a photographer, videographer or content creator—it’s important to let them know about each other in advance. Prior notice helps them plan their work efficiently and avoid clashes during key moments like the ceremony, speeches or first dance. Clear communication between suppliers ensures that everyone can do their job seamlessly, giving you the best results without any disruptions or confusion.
Photo: Simon Peare Photography.
💖 Treat Them as Part of Your Team
Your suppliers are there to help make your wedding special. Building a good relationship with them creates a more relaxed and enjoyable planning process. Kind communication, prompt replies, and mutual respect go a long way.
✨ Enjoy the Process
Planning your wedding should be exciting, not overwhelming. Working closely with trusted suppliers allows you to enjoy the journey and feel confident that every detail is in safe hands. When communication, trust, and preparation come together, your suppliers can truly help create the wedding day you’ve always imagined.
Lucan Spa Hotel offer a wealth of experience, with all our team on hand to make your wedding the day of your dreams in Dublin no matter what your size and plans. For more details and to arrange your own private viewing, you can contact our wedding team by filling out the online form here.