When you’re planning one of the most exciting days of your life, you want to make sure you’ve got the right people in your corner, right?! As a wedding photographer, it’s of the utmost importance to me that my couples and I get along and are on the same page about their vision for their day. I want them to be equally as sure of booking me as I am of documenting their day. With that said, I absolutely love when my couples come prepared with questions to make sure I’m a good fit to capture their wedding. Listed below are some important questions to ask your potential weddings vendors to ensure you’ve got the perfect team for your wedding day.

1. How many weddings have you done? There’s nothing wrong with hiring someone who is newer in the wedding industry, but it is important to know what to expect. It’s important to choose vendors who have experience with weddings or have a plan on how to handle any potential issues that may arise.

2. Can you provide references from previous clients? Asking for references and reviews from previous clients will give you an idea of what it’s like to work with the vendor you’re interviewing.

3. What is your availability on our wedding date? Make sure the vendor is available on your wedding date before you sign a contract. Some vendors like photographers only take one client per day, while other vendors like florists or caterers may have multiple clients in one day. Being informed about their plan and how they work with multiple clients on a single wedding day is helpful to know.

4. What is your cancellation policy? It’s important to know what will happen if you need to cancel or reschedule your wedding.

5. How do you handle unforeseen issues or emergencies? Weddings can be unpredictable, so it’s important to choose vendors who are able to handle any unexpected issues that may arise.

6. What is your pricing and what is included in the cost? Make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for, read the fine print in your contract and understand everything that is included in the cost.

7. Can you accommodate any special requests or dietary restrictions? If you have any special requests or guests with dietary restrictions, make sure the vendor is able to accommodate them. Ensure your venue is ADA friendly for guests who may need special seating and accessibility accommodations as well.

8. Can we see examples of your work? Seeing examples of the vendor’s work will give you an idea of their style and whether it’s a good fit for your wedding.

9. Do you have insurance? Most venues require vendors to carry general liability insurance while working on the premises. It’s important to choose vendors who have insurance in case of any accidents or damages.

10. How do you prefer to communicate and how often? Make sure the vendor’s communication style is a good fit for you and that you’re comfortable with the frequency of communication. As a wedding photographer, I outline my communication plan with my clients to ensure they know when to expect my follow ups and how we will work together to create a photography timeline for their day well ahead of time.

I hope you find these questions helpful in finding the perfect vendors for your day! Happy planning!