Wedding Vendors

Congratulations on your upcoming celebration! If you're looking for local wedding vendors for your celebration, you've come to the right place. Inside Weddings shares trusted wedding professionals in our Editors Circle, plus a directory of professionals and venues for your wedding day.

Wedding Vendors & Venues - FAQ

What vendors do you need for your wedding?

While weddings are all different, you'll likely need the following professionals for celebrations big or small: a wedding planner (or day-of coordinator), wedding venue for the ceremony and reception, photographer, hair stylist and makeup artist, attire for the bride and groom as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen, caterer for the cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres and reception dinner, baker for the wedding cake or any desserts, florist or event designer for the bouquets and décor, music and entertainment professionals such as a wedding band or DJ, videographer, stationer for the invitation and paper goods, officiant, jeweler for the wedding rings and jewelry, rentals such as tableware and linens, transportation or a wedding car, and a lighting designer.

How do I find wedding vendors?

Whether you're having a destination wedding or a celebration in your hometown, you'll need to find the vendor – wedding-focused or not – for each part of your event to create a team of professionals to create your special day. If you've hired a wedding planner, they can help share the best wedding vendor for each part of planning your big day; or you can search on InsideWeddings.com, social media like Facebook and Instagram, or other wedding-planning sites and services that help you find services and venues for your wedding events. We encourage you to check out the profiles of our Editors Circle members, many of whom are talented, award-winning professionals in their craft.

How do you pay wedding vendors?

How you pay your wedding vendors will vary from professional to professional. Most professionals have a deposit that will secure your wedding date and give both parties confidence that your wedding events are a priority. Some professionals will then have payment plans, request the balance be paid six months, three months, or one month before the wedding events, or even have the final payment provided on the big day. Be sure to check your contracts and keep your eye on due dates so you're not in breach of contract.

Do you tip your wedding vendors?

Since these professionals are in the service business, tips and gratuities are a generous gesture of appreciation for making your day so special. General suggestions: Almost always, banquet captains receive $1-5 per guest, hairstylists and makeup artists receive 15-25% of the total fee, and $10-20/each is given to the hotel bellman (if applicable). Couples also often tip their wedding planner about 10-20% or offer a nice gift, give the catering manager $50-500, and offer $15-50 each for the musicians or $50-300 for the DJ. Those feeling especially generous may tip their photographer ($40-200) or floral designer ($50-200). 

Some vendors for wedding events will include a gratuity with their service fee; however, it's important to clarify if you're unsure. Once you've decided who you're tipping, write a check or place cash in an envelope with the recipient's name on the front; these will be distributed during or at the conclusion of their services. We also recommend writing thank-you notes to those professionals who made your day extra special.