Now that one of you popped the question and the other said, “Yes!” it’s time to get the ball rolling. One of the hardest parts of wedding planning is selecting your wedding vendors. Then, it’s mostly fine-tuning details from there. It’s no secret that colorful Colorado makes the perfect wedding destination for visitors and locals alike. So, as you might imagine, there’s quite a selection of wedding professionals to choose from in the area. Google is a double-edged sword—it’s easy to pull up a huge list of Colorado wedding vendors, which also makes it harder to narrow it down. Plus, with everything online, it’s hard to know which vendors are true professionals showcasing authentic work on their websites and who may be faking it (sadly, there are a few of those out there).
As a Colorado wedding photographer, here are a few tips on how to narrow down the right wedding vendors for your wedding based on price, style, quality, and professionalism.
6 Steps to Nailing Down Your Colorado Wedding Vendors
1. Set Your Budget + Prioritize Wedding Items
First, determine your budget, and separate it into big-ticket items you really care about and trivial details you can take or leave. Instead of a hard-set amount, give yourself a reasonable range, and assign how much you want to spend on each wedding item. When selecting your vendors, try to go from most important to least important on your list. (In this case, don’t save the best for last!)
From there, do a bit of pricing research. You may be able to narrow down the price range and wedding date in the search filters if you use a site like Wedding Wire, The Knot, or Zola.
2. Ask an Expert
Hiring a wedding planner is a fantastic idea, even for smaller weddings, and it can end up saving you money in the long run. An experienced wedding planner should have connections with the best vendors in the area. If they’ve personally worked with the vendor, they’ll know their work and what to expect, so they’ll know who to recommend for your style, personality, and budget. Learn more about hiring a wedding planner here.
3. Preview Their Work
While everyone has to start somewhere, it’s best to find wedding professionals who have some qualifying experience under their belt. Even if you have a smaller budget and want to go with a professional who is just starting out on their own, I recommend finding someone who assisted and learned under a reputable vendor before launching. Ask to see their previous work, even from their previous employment (such as a pastry chef or wedding planner who trained under someone else first). If the vendor can’t show you more than a handful of examples, you might want to reconsider.
4. Consider Reviews + Feedback
Google reviews can tell you a lot! Most importantly, heed reviews that address their professionalism and quality as well as the reviewer’s overall experience. Watch out for reviews that warn about tardiness, lack of communication, unmet expectations, poor overall experience, and undelivered services.
5. Schedule a Call or Meeting
This step is so important! I know it’s convenient to book online, but don’t submit payment or personal info until you’ve talked to the vendor, at least on the phone, if not in person or on a video chat. A meeting will allow you to see if your personalities are compatible. After all, you will spend a considerable amount of time together, and you’re entrusting them with one of the biggest days of your life. You can also make sure that the vendor is sincere and authentic—they are who they say they are.
6. Go with Your Instincts + Book It!
Finally, once you’ve checked all the boxes, go with your gut and book it! You may be tempted to overanalyze it, but if you’ve got a good feeling about it and love their work, don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Book them while you can.
*Don’t forget to ask for an agreement or contract at booking. An agreement protects both of you and lets you know what to expect from each other. Make sure everything is covered: payment, timelines, deliverables, extenuating circumstances, cancellations, COVID policy, etc.
Book Colorado Wedding Vendor, John Moler Photography, Denver Wedding Photographer.
I am a Colorado Wedding Photographer who specializes in authentic, emotive images. I strive to tell your story through my lens so you can relive it for years to come. View recent weddings in my PORTFOLIO, get more INFORMATION, and BOOK YOUR WEDDING directly at johnmoler.com.
