From the venue host to the caterer and the photographer to the DJ, there are many vendors that will help make your wedding a memorable event. But for these professionals to help design the perfect day, it’s important to communicate effectively and plan ahead. Since overseeing your vendors’ tasks can feel overwhelming at times, here are a few tips you may want to consider to streamline the communication process and receive positive results with minimal stress.

5 Tips for Communicating With Wedding Vendors

1. Set Expectations Early

When you’re selecting vendors, express your wishes from the start—including those that impact your budget and timeline. In addition to keeping your plans clear, it’s important to learn how your vendor works and what you can expect from them. For example, you should find out who your main liaison is, how to reach them, and how they prefer to handle issues. By laying out these expectations early on, both you and your vendors will be less likely to encounter unexpected surprises down the road.

2. Clarify Your Preferred Communication Channels

As you arrange vendors, make sure all parties have the same instructions on who to contact if issues arise. For example, if you have a wedding planner, make them the main point of contact. To avoid lost messages, it’s also a good idea to create a dedicated email address for wedding-related matters.

3. Stick With Simple Instructions  

Look for opportunities to simplify vendor instructions as much as possible. When it comes to food, for instance, it’s better to select a few choice dishes or provide a buffet rather than offering guests an expansive menu. And if you encounter issues, be upfront and honest, as avoiding concerns or being unclear may leave you with less-than-desirable results.

4. Visualize When Possible

It can be difficult to communicate what you’re envisioning for a wedding by using words alone. That’s why it’s recommended you always offer visual examples whenever possible—such as when you’re coordinating flowers for decor or selecting a look for your hairdresser.

5. Broadcast All Important Updates

Even with the most precise planning, it’s possible that your wedding may encounter a few speed bumps along the way. Should anything occur, you should make sure all vendors are notified promptly and clearly. For example, if rainy weather makes your outdoor wedding ceremony impossible, be sure to keep vendors in the loop about where they need to be and when.

When you want to plan a worry-free wedding, Makoy Center offers an exceptional event space to help you create a one-of-a-kind and stress-free ceremony. Earning The Knot®’s Best of Weddings designation seven years in a row, this Hilliard, OH, party venue is known for offering many impressive amenities—including seating up to 400 guests, outdoor ceremony options, and onsite catering. To see what this destination is capable of, check out their website. For inquiries and bookings, call a friendly planning associate at (614) 777-1211.