Planning Made Simple: What Vendors Do You Need for a Wedding?
Getting married is one of the most exciting and meaningful milestones in life. Your engagement marks the beginning of a beautiful journey toward planning your perfect wedding. Now it’s time to start searching for vendors that align with your vision and budget.
Starting the planning process can feel overwhelming. Your first step is determining which vendors are essential for a successful wedding. The wedding market is filled with countless vendors, making it challenging to find those who are both reliable and high-quality.
In this article, we’ll discuss which vendors are essential in bringing your wedding to life. We’ll also share why choosing the right ones matters, how to make the best choices, and common mistakes to avoid along the way.
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What Kind of Vendors Do I Need for a Wedding?
Planning a wedding is a detailed and demanding process. With so many elements to consider, it’s important to ensure every detail is accounted for to make your big day perfect. A few vendors that are a must for a wedding are an officiant, a DJ, a coordinator, catering, a baker, a photographer, rentals, staffing, and a florist.
Finding the right vendors can often feel overwhelming and time-consuming. Choosing an all-inclusive wedding venue, such as Twenty Mile House, can simplify the process while providing reliability and peace of mind. Our venue partners with vendors who work seamlessly together, thanks to their successful experience collaborating.
Reach out today to schedule an in-person or virtual tour of our venue. We can’t wait to start planning your wedding and watch it come to life.
Why Choosing the Right Vendors Matters
When it comes to finding the perfect wedding vendors, doing your research is key. Vendors are the ones who turn your wedding vision into reality. Hiring a company that comes highly recommended by others ensures a smoother and more successful experience. Choosing dependable, high-quality vendors helps prevent unnecessary stress and protects the special memories of your big day.
Working with a vendor who isn’t reliable or well-recommended can lead to problems such as:
Poor-quality results due to inexperience or unprofessional staff
Stressful situations on the day of your wedding
Hiring a fraudulent company that collects a deposit, then disappears
Being difficult to cooperate with
10 Essential Wedding Vendors Every Couple Should Consider
#1: Wedding Coordinator
Hiring a wedding coordinator can be invaluable for managing the logistics of your big day. By bringing a coordinator on board early, you’ll have guidance in selecting vendors and support in handling communication with them. From crafting the perfect timeline to overseeing every detail, your coordinator ensures your wedding day flows effortlessly.
When opting for an all-inclusive venue like Twenty Mile House, a wedding coordinator is included. Our hardworking coordinator is inspired by every couple’s journey, crafting a personalized wedding that is filled with authentic, unforgettable moments.
Reach out to learn more about our all-inclusive wedding package.
#2: Officiant
An officiant conducts your wedding ceremony and formalizes the verbal commitment between you and your partner. As a couple, you’ll need to decide whether to hire a professional officiant or, depending on legal requirements, ask a friend or family member to perform the ceremony. According to Zola, the average cost of a wedding officiant ranges from $200 to $450.
Consider these key steps when hiring an officiant:
Research a variety of potential officiants
Be sure they are a confident public speaker
Determine whether they fit in with the style of your wedding
Get to know them on a personal level to ensure their values align with your own
#3: DJ/Musicians
Music brings life to your wedding, turning moments into unforgettable memories. When selecting a DJ or musician, be sure to research reliable and skilled artists to avoid any unexpected issues on your wedding day.
Many couples choose to hire a DJ due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. According to Fash, the national average cost of a wedding DJ falls between $800 and $1,600, though prices can vary based on location.
Couples seeking a more personalized and intimate atmosphere may choose live musicians instead of a DJ. Live music adds heartfelt emotion to your wedding day while enhancing the ambience. Hiring a band is typically more expensive due to the talent involved, the number of performers, logistics, equipment, and rehearsal time. The average cost of a wedding band ranges between $2,000 and $8,000.
Some couples combine both options, hiring live music for the ceremony or cocktail hour and a DJ for the reception.
When choosing an all-inclusive wedding venue, consider one that provides entertainment as part of the package. At Twenty Mile House, we partner with a talented DJ who knows how to keep the dance floor lively and everyone celebrating.
#4: Caterers
According to Thumbtack data, the average cost of a caterer ranges between $1,250 and $7,250. Costs will depend on the number of guests and the style of service you choose, whether a formal dinner, casual food stations, or a buffet. Most couples attend a tasting to ensure the food meets their expectations and tastes.
Key factors to consider when choosing your caterer:
Your budget
Guest count
Venue policies
Menu concept
Service style
Contact Twenty Mile House to learn more about our partnered caterer, who crafts unique and flavorful menus using locally sourced, organic ingredients.
#5: Florist
Flowers are a central element in creating the beauty of a wedding ceremony. There is an increasing demand for personalized floral wedding arrangements, with most couples spending between $500 and $3,500. It’s crucial to choose a florist who is both reputable and reliable. You want to avoid the stress of arriving on your wedding day only to discover that your flowers haven’t been delivered on time for setup.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, your wedding planner or coordinator, or your venue. Look for a company whose testimonials prove their talent and quality of service.
At Twenty Mile House, your flowers are guaranteed to be expertly designed and delivered on time. Our partnered vendor creates the perfect floral arrangements for your wedding, enhancing the beauty and atmosphere of your special day.
#6: Photographer
You’ll notice a wide range of types of photographers and skill levels on the market when looking for someone to take your photos. Exploring potential photographers’ portfolios allows you to determine whether their artistic style and expertise match the look and feel of your wedding day.
Types of photography styles:
Documentary-style
Editorial
Light and airy
Dark and moody
Vintage
Based on a 2024 survey of 198 photographers, the average price of their most popular wedding package is $5,445. Hiring a professional photographer can be expensive and challenging, especially if you want someone whose style and expertise match your needs.
When having your wedding at an all-inclusive venue such as Twenty Mile House, a talented and skilled photographer is already chosen for you. No need to worry about finding someone with the perfect eye, our partnered photographer will capture beautiful images from every special moment throughout your wedding day.
#7: Cake
Your wedding cake is a meaningful detail that reflects your style as a couple while serving as a stunning focal point of your reception. While some caterers may provide a wedding cake, most do not. Finding a baker who will understand your style and show it through your cake design is important. Be sure to find a wedding cake vendor you can trust to deliver exactly what they promise and can bring your vision to life.
Consider asking the following questions before hiring a baker:
Are you licensed?
How many weddings have you done?
Can you provide references?
How many cakes do you schedule for the same day?
Can you design a wedding cake to match my theme?
What do you do if the cake is damaged in transport?
Do you have a refund policy?
According to The Zola Wedding Cost Index, the national average price of a wedding cake is $917.
Factors that tie into how much your cake costs include:
Guest count
Number of tiers
How simple or intricate the details will be
Flavors and fillings
#8: Rentals (Tables, Chairs, Linens)
Rentals for tables, chairs, linens, plates, utensils, and other essentials are often an overlooked part of wedding planning. While some venues or catering services provide these items, in other cases, you’ll need to hire a vendor to supply them.
#9: Staffing (Wait, Bar, Bus)
If staffing is not included by the venue or catering service, the wedding couple will have to hire staff separately at an additional cost. At the all-inclusive Twenty Mile House, you’ll have the support of a professional, experienced staff dedicated to making sure every part of your day runs smoothly.
#10: Hair & Makeup
Most wedding couples hire professional hair and makeup artists to make them look and feel their best on their special day. Members of the wedding party may also choose to use these services, so it’s important to hire enough artists to accommodate everyone.
On average, brides pay about $300 for hair and makeup. Finding an artist who includes a complimentary consultation or a hair and makeup trial is a good idea, so you and they know what to expect on your wedding day. If a trial isn’t included, it may be worth investing in one for added peace of mind.
Some Fun Extras You May Want To Consid
Now that we’ve answered the question, What kind of vendors do you need for a wedding? Here are additional vendors that can bring a distinctive touch to your wedding:
Videographer
Photobooth
Artist
Tattooist
Fireworks or special effects
Ice sculpture
Specialty food stations
How To Choose the Right Vendors for Your Wedding
Choosing vendors can feel daunting because you want to ensure you select reliable professionals who will follow through every step of the way, right up to your wedding day.
Ways to protect yourself and your wedding:
Request proof of insurance
Fully read the contract
Verify licenses and registrations
Do your research
Twenty Mile House is an all-inclusive wedding venue in Northern California. Not only does our scenic venue offer a beautiful setting for your wedding, but our dedicated planners and vendors are here to make the entire day effortless and allow you to savor every moment.
Common Mistakes Made When Choosing Wedding Vendors
A few common mistakes couples make while choosing vendors include:
Booking too late
Overlooking details
Not creating a budget before booking vendors
Not looking closely enough at the contract specifications
Hiring too many vendors
Bring Your Love Story to Life at Twenty Mile House With Our All-Inclusive Wedding Packages
Managing the planning process and bringing together the right vendors can be overwhelming. Your wedding should be a time of joy, and entrusting the stressful details to an all-inclusive venue allows you to focus on what truly matters. At Twenty Mile House, our trusted vendors collaborate seamlessly to make your wedding day — and every moment leading up to it — run smoothly.
Contact us today for a free virtual or in-person tour. Take a look at our beautiful venue and learn more about what we offer in our all-inclusive wedding destination package.