8 Questions to Ask Your Denver Wedding Vendors

By TBC on June 22, 2019

Planning a Denver wedding? Make sure you ask your vendors these 8 essential questions before booking them!

Are you available on my wedding date?

While there are certain vendors that this doesn’t apply to (ahem, your bridal shop!), it’s important to first ask whether a wedding vendor will be available on your big day. There’s no point in interviewing and considering someone who can’t even be there! This includes hair and makeup artists, planners, florists, catering, entertainment, photographers, and videographers.

How much will it cost?

Before interviewing and hiring vendors, make a list of your priorities. You and your soon-to-be spouse should spend time considering what’s most important (maximum amount of guests, gourmet meal, open bar, pinterest-worthy florals, celebrity photographer, and so on). Compare your top 3 and go from there!

By identifying your priorities, you can allocate a certain budget for each vendor. If you want to have more guests, consider choosing a venue that has affordable catering options so you can lower the cost per guest.

Decide on your overall budget BEFORE you interview vendors. This way, you avoid getting your heart broken after falling in love with a venue (or photographer or florist) and having to say no.

How will you accomplish my vision?

Many brides have spent a good chunk of time dreaming up and planning their wedding day in their head. In order to make those dreams come to life, make sure you hire someone who understands your vision! Get on the same page about design, the flow of the day, and anything that’s super important to you. If the person you’re considering doesn’t grasp your concept, they may not be the best fit. (We know a lot of incredible wedding vendors who do an excellent job of turning your wedding dreams into reality! Check out a few of our favorites on our Preferred Vendors List.)

Do you have references?

This may not apply if a friend or family member has referred you to this person. You’re spending a good amount of money on someone and entrusting your wedding day to them! It’s always good to check references (and look at their portfolio to see the work they’ve previously done!)

Do you have other weddings/events on my day?

Some Denver wedding vendors double (or triple!) book themselves, especially on popular wedding dates. Although most of the time vendors have mastered the art of double event days, it’s helpful to know ahead of time. Some venues have multiple ceremony and reception spaces. Check ahead of time that your ceremony procession doesn’t start right when the bride and groom downstairs are screaming “Don’t Stop Believin’” with their guests. 🙂

Are you licensed/insured?

While this may seem like an odd question, it’s extremely important for several reasons. First, some venues won’t allow unlicensed vendors to work on their property. Make sure the people you hire are legitimate! As far as insurance goes, we all hope that we will never need it. However, if anything were to go wrong at your wedding, it pays to be covered. These are all worst-case scenarios, but if a guest bumps into the DJ table and injures himself or a vendor breaks a piece of furniture at the venue, you won’t want to be held financially responsible. Who wants to use their honeymoon money for broken equipment?!

How does payment work? Do you have a cancellation policy?

If your budget allows for dropping major cash to pay for everything up front, this may not apply to you. However, if you’re like most brides, you need to spread out payments over time.

Do you have any travel fees?

Travel fees don’t just apply to “destination weddings” at the beach. Some vendors charge a travel fee for events that take place outside of the Denver metro area. Photographers, florists, hair stylists, and planners may be located in specific mountain regions (Boulder, Estes Park, Vail Valley, Western Slope), so if you’re getting married outside of someone’s region, make sure you won’t be surprised by a travel fee.