How to choose wedding suppliers that won’t stress you out

Here’s a fun fact: your wedding suppliers can either be the biggest champions of your day—or the biggest source of your stress. The difference? Choosing the right ones.

When you work with a supplier who gets you, everything feels easier. Emails are friendly. Questions get answered. Your ideas are met with excitement, not eye-rolls. And on the day? They show up, do the thing brilliantly, and leave you wondering how you’d ever have done it without them.

So how do you find those dream suppliers? The ones who make wedding planning feel more fun and less like a second full-time job?

Let’s dig into it.

Ask yourself: what actually matters to you?

Before you start googling “cool wedding photographers near me” or panic-booking the first DJ with an available Saturday, take a beat.

What kind of vibe do you want on the day? What’s your priority? What’s the thing you don’t want to compromise on? That might be:

  • A photographer who captures natural, unstaged moments

  • A celebrant who tells your story in a way that makes people laugh and cry

  • A caterer who can accommodate vegan/gluten-free/Kosher/Bollywood-themed/whatever-it-is-you-need

When you know what matters to you, you can find suppliers who care about the same stuff.

2. Stalk their vibe

You can learn so much from a supplier’s website, social media, and tone of voice. Do they:

  • Use inclusive language?

  • Share behind-the-scenes stories and real weddings?

  • Show off their personality, or hide behind stiff corporate speak?

If they seem approachable, creative, and like someone you’d get on with IRL? That’s a good sign. If their captions make you cringe or their emails sound like legal documents—maybe not a vibe match.

3. Reviews, reviews, reviews

They don’t need hundreds of five-star reviews, but recent, genuine ones go a long way. Look for comments like:

  • "They made the whole process so easy."

  • "We had a last-minute hiccup and they handled it without stress."

  • "They really listened to what we wanted."

Red flag: too many reviews that sound overly generic—or worse, none at all.

4. Are they flexible?

Weddings are unpredictable. You want suppliers who can roll with it. Ask them:

  • What happens if we need to change timings?

  • Can you adapt to our venue/weather/setup?

  • How do you handle last-minute requests?

You’re not looking for a yes-man—you’re looking for someone calm, competent, and solutions-focused.

5. Meet them (or at least talk to them)

You don’t have to do in-person meetings for everyone, but a Zoom, call or even a good old-fashioned email exchange can give you a lot of insight. Do they listen? Do they ask smart questions? Do they make you feel excited rather than overwhelmed?

The best suppliers will feel like part of your team—not just another transaction.

6. Don’t be afraid to walk away

If something feels off in your gut, it probably is. Maybe they take weeks to reply. Maybe they ignore your ideas. Maybe they make you feel silly for asking questions.

There are so many incredible, kind, professional suppliers out there. You don’t have to settle for someone who gives you the ick.

7. Ask for recommendations

Your venue will often have a list of recommended suppliers—but ask why they’re on it. Is it because they’re genuinely amazing, or because they pay to be listed?

Even better—ask your other suppliers. Photographers know great florists. Planners know amazing cake artists. And we’ve got our own list of faves, if you need a head start 👀 (Check out our "our faves" page!)

8. Read the contract (yes, really)

Make sure you know:

  • What’s included and what’s extra

  • Their cancellation and refund policy

  • What happens if they can’t make it on the day

Boring? Maybe. Essential? Absolutely. It’ll save you drama later.

9. Think about how they make you feel

You’re going to be spending a lot of time (and money!) with these people. So if they make you feel:

  • Heard

  • Respected

  • Excited

  • Relaxed

...you’re onto a winner.

If you feel confused, nervous, or unsure every time you hear from them? Might be time to swipe left.

Bonus: Supplier green flags 🚦

  • They ask questions to understand your vision

  • They show up to meetings on time

  • They talk about teamwork with your other suppliers

  • They give you clear pricing and info

  • They care about inclusion, access, and sustainability

The dream team is out there—and when you find the right people, everything clicks into place. You’ll feel supported, seen, and seriously excited about your wedding day.

And if you want to start with someone you know you can trust? Well, hey 👋 You’re already in the right place.

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