Whether your wedding is small, large or something in between, you’ll most likely be looking to a number of different suppliers to help you with making your big day a success. A significant amount of time and research goes into finding the right people, so here are some tips on how to locate and best work with your supplier of choice:

• Gather as much information as you can through attending bridal and food shows, reading wedding and trade magazines, searching the internet and asking friends for their recommendations.
• Take pictures of your venue so that you can give your venders a visual reference of the space that they’ll be working with.
• Before you make your approach, create a list of questions so that you can be sure to get the information you need in order to make an informed decision.
• Reach out to companies that you know, for instance if you’re looking for a caterer, ask the chef at your favourite restaurant whether he/she does catering or has recommendations. – When reaching out for quotes, always get the name, title and direct contact information for the person on the other end of the phone. To avoid any confusion on either end, make sure to get all quotes in writing before making a commitment.

As long as you’re organized, polite and courteous the whole supplier management process can be a very enjoyable and collaborative experience!

Louise Fox, The Etiquette Lady