Which Vendor Should a Bride Call First?

by Preston Bailey

A common mistake I see many vendors make is thinking that when a bride begins to plan her wedding, she should always call them first, no matter what their speciality. But does this really make the most sense? When Ivanka Trump got engaged, I was one of the first people she called. Ivanka is a very savvy New York City business woman, and she understands how to plan a hugeevent. She knew that she should get a planner and a designer on board as quickly as possible. But most brides don’t have Ivanka’s professional, not to mention personal, background.

So, unfortunately, a lot of brides don’t call a designer or planner first. Instead, they start by callingvenues, letterpress invitation designers or DJs. I’ve long suspected that a bride’s first call is often to the vendor she’s most excited about. A bride who adores flowers is likely to startplanning her wedding by calling a florist.

Nonetheless, it’s in the bride’s best interest to call a planner first. A good planner will help abride understand the process and give her a sense of which expectations are reasonable and which are unreasonable.

For the vast majority of brides, budget is paramount. Assuming a bride can’t afford to have it all, it’s important that she understand what she can afford sooner rather than later. So whether you’re aplanner, a florist or a DJ, if a bride calls you first, you should give her a crash course in pricing. Trust me, she’ll thank you later.

Preston Bailey has become especially renowned for his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ visions into awe-inspiring reality. In this blog, Preston will share stories from his 30 year career, discuss design, offer inspiration and invite you to join the conversation.