America is home to millions of weddings annually. This means a lot of work for the various wedding vendors that help weddings go off without a hitch. A lot of the work is done behind the scenes, but without these vendors, weddings would fall a bit flat. Vendors provide the food, the music, the decorations, the planning…really everything that makes the day what it is.

On average, couples getting married will hire 15 vendors. But which of these many potential vendors do you actually need? We’re going to go over some of the most important wedding vendors to hire for your big day.

Wedding Rentals

The event rentals you choose for your big day are crucial for your whole setup! From tables and chairs to decorative furniture and the dance floor, you’ll want your personality to shine through in everything you choose. You don’t want to buy wedding items to then just sell them. You’ll spend your wedding day worried about set up and cleaning. Plus, you’ll spend your honeymoon phase on Facebook marketplace– yuck!

First, you need to decide WHAT to rent to make your day special. Then, find the right vendors by checking out local blogs and social media. You should also make it a point to stop by some showrooms. Some rental companies do event planning as well, so if you’re interested in this service too, you can easily find something that fits.

Wedding Planner

Sure, you could leave the wedding planning to your best friend (she’s an expert color-coder, so she’ll be perfect, right?). However, hiring a professional wedding planner is always the best route to go. As a professional, they are committed, experienced, and are bound to produce some high-quality work. Plus, you don’t have to worry about straining a relationship with a friend or risking some seriously high stress levels when it comes to the big day.

When looking for a wedding planner, you should first meet them in person (or virtually via Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts). Lots of planners do free consultations, so scour the Internet for someone whose work you like. Then look into personality fit, experience level, services provided, and insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions– your wedding is a big deal! The right planner will make it an unforgettable day.

Wedding Venue

As time passes, people are getting more creative with wedding venues. While churches are still incredibly popular, couples have started experimenting with locations such as museums, national parks, and even tree houses! Whether you’re more traditional or you’re looking for something more unconventional, there is a wedding venue for you that will complete your special day.

When choosing your wedding venue, you’ll want to look at budget, location, number of guests, and the date. Start looking early so that you have the best chance of securing your top venue. You’ll also want to consider how many venues you’ll need; while many couples do the ceremony and the reception in one location, some others split up between two. Be sure to account for travel time if choosing the latter. Whatever you decide, what’s most important is that you choose a spot you’re excited to create memories in.

Wedding Photographer and Videographer

Your wedding will likely be one of the best days of your life, and it is something you want to remember forever. Thankfully, with a wedding photographer and videographer, you can. These individuals or companies will capture all of the most important events of your big day. This will let you relive the day as many times as you want.

While cost is certainly a factor, be sure to look at the quality of work, as well. Most people would rather spend a few extra hundred dollars to have great photos and videos than to save that money and only have a poor representation of your big day. Many wedding photographers will have their portfolio online, so you can see their work and hire the one who’s right for you.

Florist

Flowers are a central part of a wedding. From the arrangements, to the centerpieces and even the bouquet that is thrown out, flowers are important. As a result, you need to take your time to find a quality florist in your area who can help create your perfect arrangement for the wedding.

You can work hand in hand with the florist to design the perfect display that will take into account the colors you like, the scents you prefer and the size you’d like the arrangements to be. Once all is said and done, you will be left with a one-of-a-kind floral arrangement that is sure to wow your guests.

Caterer

What’s a wedding without food? Having your wedding catered is incredibly common, as food only helps to elevate the celebration and keeps everyone happy and full. A caterer will take all of the food prep and delivery off your hands to allow you to focus on the wedding.

Once you decide the type of food you want, you can narrow down your options. There is a good chance that your local area has dozens of different caterers who would love to work your wedding. Look at reviews, talk to friends and family and reach out to a couple and see if they can meet your requirements.

Transportation

There is nothing like arriving at your wedding in style, whether it’s in a limo or the car of your dreams. Reaching out to a transportation company with a lot of experience can make that dream a reality. However, in addition to making sure the bride and the groom arrive and depart safely on time, it is a good idea to have a transportation plan in mind for the guests.

Consider operating a shuttle service, or working out an agreement with a taxi company to provide discounted service. This will keep everyone safe and ensure no one is drinking and driving after your celebration.

Wedding Officiant

Perhaps the most important vendor is the wedding officiant (try getting married without one!). There are a few different types of officiants ranging from religious officials, to secular celebrants, to family and friends. When determining how to find the perfect wedding officiant, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration:

• Type of officiant
• Budget
• Experience level
• Creativity

Check out their portfolio of sample wording to see if you’re a good fit. Work with them to incorporate any ideas you have, including anything unique to you and your spouse. Take your time finding the right officiant– after all, it’ll be the three of you standing at the altar!

Entertainment

This is one of the most fun decisions to make, especially since you can be as creative as you want! You’ll probably go with a band or a DJ for music, but you also may consider some unique options like a:

• Paint by number photo of you
• Caricature artist
• Magician
• Mixologist
• Balloon Artist
• Giant inflatables

Check out some more ideas from Martha Stewart and Wedding Ideas Magazine to really get the creativity flowing!

Wedding Vendors for Your Big Day

In conclusion, you’ll have to make some big decisions about your wedding vendors. Use this article to decide not only how many wedding vendors you may need, but also which are some of the most important to you. There are several others you might also consider, such as makeup and hair artists, a favors vendor, a travel agent for the honeymoon; the list goes on! If you’re holding an outdoor wedding, you may need a tent vendor, and maybe even portable restrooms. While weddings come in all shapes and sizes, we believe these vendors are the most crucial for making your big day as special and memorable as possible.