ANY questions?

[Sotiny]

Hello Brides-to-be,

So "he" asked the question and "you" said "YES!!"
Now what???

Start the planning without the pain... got to ask the "right" questions when you meet your vendors who will help you along the way. Most vendors have their own website, read and research as much as possible to make the best of your meetings.

For your planner/wedding coordinator:
How long have you been a wedding coordinator?
Do you personally attend all of the weddings that you coordinated?
How many people do you need to bring with you as your assistant(s)? Will I meet any of them ahead of time? When?
What if you become ill or cannot come to the wedding?
Do you make initial contact wth all referred vendors or do you give us a list of vendors to call?
Do we pay you the fee for the entire event or do we contract with each vendors separately?
Will you attend to all of the meetings with our vendors? (extra cost?)
If I hire any of the vendors that you recommand, will I get a discount?
Will you provide me with a detailed budget outline? $$$$$
Who signs the vendor contracts?
Will you come to the rehearsal?
Do you charge for traveling? (for the rehearsal and wedding day)
Do you charge hourly, a flat rate or a percentage of my overall budget?
Do you meet with me monthly to ensure my planning is on the right track/on time? (cost?)
What is the amount of the initial deposit?
When is the balance due?
What is your refund policy in case of cancellation?
Any Package deal?


For your venue:
What is the capacity of the facility?
Do you provide linens, tables, chairs, china, glassware, silverware, serving accessories, microphone, projector, screen, etc.?
Do you have an piano? If we need to move one in, is there any charges? (some hotel would charge a deposit of couple hundred dollar, just in case if there is any damage to the facility during the move)
Do you charge of the set up of the room? Is there extra charge if we need to transform the room from ceremony setting to reception setting? How long do you need if such a change is needed? Where would my guests go during the change over? (if this is another room, how much is that going to be? Can the hallway be used instead?)
Do we have the option of plated or buffet service? Will you custom the buffet menu? (for our wedding instead of 9 salads and 4 entrees, we had 4 salads and 5 entrees... and we added seafood platter to the dinner... they can always put something together for you as long as you ask ) (if you are using the catering will can they give you a discount on the room rental)
Do you have a liquor license? Can we bring our own wine? (if you decide to put one red and one white on each table, can they charge you only if the bottle is opened?) liquor can add up easily...
Is taste testing of the menu available?
What is the cost of cake cutting/serving? What if I have a person to take care of the cutting? (some venue would charge you cutting and serving from $2-$4, that is to cover the ware and tear of the utensils and napkins; some would only charge before a chef/staff is needed for the cutting and will not charge if none of the staff is involved with the cake)
Do you have a fridge I can use to store the cake? (cost?) <- this would tell you when the cake should arrive...
How many hours will we have the facility for?
How long before the event can we have access to the room so that we may prepare/decorate it?
What can we use for decoration? (tape, nails, staples, pins) some facility doesn't allow balloons, confetti, etc for "clean-up" reason... doesn't hurt to confirm before you think of decoration.
Are there any other events at the same time as ours? (if there is another wedding, it can be confusing for your guests... better ask then sorry...)
What is the cost of "over time" if we need the place for a longer time?
Is the place availble for rehearsal? How long ahead can we book that?
How much is the deposit?
When is the final headcount due? Will be be charged by the actual headcount on the date?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included in the price?
What are the refund/cancellation terms?

[Sotiny]

lol... this is getting long... but this is so much fun!

For your photographer:
Will you personally be the photographer for our wedding?
What kind of experience/background do you have? (usually these information would be online already... check out the website before meeting them)
How long have you been a wedding photographer and how many weddings have you photographed?
Do you provide both colour and black and white?
How many photos do you take? (on wedding day? engagement session?)
What is his/her style or approach for weddings? edgy? classy?
What if you become ill or cannot come to the wedding?
Why did you choose wedding photography as a career? (this is just to try to find out if they have the "compassion" and able to capture the emotion of weddings)
What time do you arrive to set up your equipment?
Do you bring backup equipment with you?
Do you have an assistant(for helping with the lighting)/2nd photograper?
Is a meal to be provided? (if the photographer is providing full day coverage, it doesn't hurt to just skip this question and give him/her an invite to the reception... everybody needs to eat...)
Are negatives/digital CD included? Will ALL of the images be edited?
What are you policies regarding delivery times?
How much is deposit?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included in the price?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (travel? will he/she be driving? if you are changing multiple locations, will there extra cost?)
What are the refund/cancellation terms?
Does the price/package include any album? how many? cost of additional album?
How about engagement session? Will you put the photos together and design a guest book for our wedding day? Can you print couple of those photos so that we can display them at the wedding?


For your videographer:
Almost the same as your photograher... adding the following:
How many video cameras will cover the wedding?
How many people will cover the wedding?
What equipment do you use to edit the captired video?

For your decorator/florist:
Will you personally atend to our wedding?
What kind of experience/background do you have? photos?
Have you been to our venue before? Decorated for wedding that took place there?
Will you help design the overall theme or style?
How many weddings do you servicer per day?
What type of flowers/decor would you suggest given my theme colour, location and time of the year?
If items that I want are not available, what is your subsitution policy?
Do you rent items such as arches, aisle runners, vases, bowls, chain lights, backdrops, chair cover, etc?
Will you bring extra chair covers with you? (always remeber if you are using chair cover, make sure the one that you will be sitting on when you sign the marriage license is included)
How much time is needed for setup/take down?
How many staff will you bring?
Do you decorae the cake with flowers or does the baker?
How much is deposit? (what is considered as damage?)
What is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included in the price?
What are the refund/cancellation terms?


For your cake decorator:
What kind of experience/background do you have?
How long have you been in business?
Have you received any formal training?
How many weddings have you serviced? photos?
How many wedding do you do per day? (alway make sure they are not doing 2 weddings on your wedding day... make sure all of the vendors are focus on YOU!)
Will you "custom-make" the cake?
Will you replicate a cake from a photo?
Do you use fresh ingredients or packages?
Are tasings included in the price?
Are there extra charges or deposits required for stands, pillars or columns?
Who will be setting up the cake? How long does that person need?
Who is responsible for placement of topper/fresh flowers?
What are you policies regarding delivery times?
How much is deposit?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity invluded in the price?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (travel)
What are the refund/cancellation terms?

For your DJ/music:
Will you personally be the DJ for our reception?
What kind of experience/background do you have?
How long have you been a DJ, and how many wedding have you performed?
Do you also MC the reception?
What time do you arrive to set up your equipment?
How do you dress for the event? dress code...
Do you provide cocktails/dinner music?
Do you provide wireless mic for speeches?
Do you bring backup equipment?
Are basic effects lighting included?
Do you offer lighting and sound upgrades?
How much is the deposit?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges? (travel)
What are the refund/cancellation terms?


For your make-up artist and hair dresser:
What kind of experience/background do you have?
How long have you been in business?
Have you received any formal training?
How many weddings have you serviced? photos?
How many wedding do you do per day?
Is there any package for full day coverage?
Do you travel to my place and travel with me thur out the day?
What do they charge of any additional person? (think about your bridesmaids and your mom!)
How many additional persons can he/she handle?
How many assistant will come along?
How long does it usually take for a bridal make-up/hair?
Providing the theme colour of the wedding and the colour of your wedding dress, which colour will the make-up artist use?
Does fake eye lashes included? How many sets?
Can the hair dresser transform your hair after the ceremony? (a different style for the reception?)
How much is make-up/hair trial?
Do you know air-brush make-up?
What kind of make-up/hair product do you use? (cause you do not want to have skin allergy... been there done that... so make sure you ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!)
What kind of skin/hair treatment is recommanded before the wedding?
How much is the deposit?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges? (travel)
What are the refund/cancellation terms?

[Sotiny]

This is only a short list of "you-might-want-to-ask" questions... you DO NOT have to ask all of the questions to all vendors... hehehe... I didn't ask all of them the same questions... it is just a short list to remind you that you will be doing "business" with all of them and always remember to read the small prints (no matter how small they are) before signing off an contract Always think of "What-if" and ask the questions before the wedding... it is never too late

[auntiecinderella]

I'm going to look at venues today so I printed this whole list! I'm excited but unsure about wedding planning, I know there are so many things to take care of, I just don't know what they all are yet! This helps a lot. Thank you!

[Sotiny]

Hello auntiecinderella,

How was venue hunting?
It is good to know that you find this list helpful. This is just a quick list to get brides to start thinking what they might have never thought of. If you have anything to add to this after your experience, please feel free to add on.

I just noticed that there are many typos in this posts (it was getting late but my brain kept on running... I guess my fingers just gave up).. sorry...

If you need any help, please feel free to pm me... would love to help.

I'm going to look at venues today so I printed this whole list! I'm excited but unsure about wedding planning, I know there are so many things to take care of, I just don't know what they all are yet! This helps a lot. Thank you!

[crystalz]

holy crap this list is amazing!! i will for SURE be using this!

[liliantree]

Hi I'm new here,
and this is great stuff!

Will come in so handy!

[Sotiny]

Hi Gals... it is nice to know that you find this list helpful.
Please feel free to PM me if you need any help.

All the best!