Finding Vendors
Wedding Vendor Checklist: Every Vendor You Need (and When to Book Each)
The short answer: Most weddings need 8 to 12 vendors. The essentials are your venue, caterer, photographer, planner/coordinator, florist, hair and makeup, and entertainment, plus common add-ons like videographer, cake, stationery, and transportation. Here is the full checklist with when to book each and what it typically costs.
The complete wedding vendor checklist
| Vendor | Book by | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Venue + date | 12 to 16 months out | $10,000 to $35,000+ |
| Planner / coordinator | 10 to 14 months | $2,500 to $15,000+ |
| Photographer | 10 to 14 months | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Caterer (if not the venue) | 9 to 12 months | $70 to $200/guest |
| Florist | 9 to 12 months | $3,000 to $12,000+ |
| Videographer | 9 to 12 months | $3,000 to $9,000 |
| DJ or band | 8 to 12 months | $1,500 to $7,000 |
| Hair + makeup | 6 to 9 months | $1,500 to $4,000+ |
| Cake / desserts | 6 to 9 months | $400 to $2,500 |
| Stationery | 6 to 8 months | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Officiant | 6 to 9 months | $300 to $1,000 |
| Transportation | 4 to 6 months | varies |
| Content creator | 4 to 8 months | $1,000 to $2,500 |
The must-haves vs the nice-to-haves
Must-haves: venue, food, photographer, someone coordinating the day. High-impact add-ons: planner, florist, video, great music. Personal touches: cake, stationery, content creator, transportation. Prioritize in that order if budget is tight.Build your team from this checklist
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Frequently asked questions
How many vendors do you need for a wedding? Most weddings use 8 to 12 vendors. Essentials are venue, caterer, photographer, planner or coordinator, florist, hair and makeup, and entertainment. What wedding vendors should I book first? Book your venue and date first, then the planner and photographer, since those fill up earliest. What vendors do couples forget to book? Commonly the officiant, transportation, content creator, and beyond-the-bouquet florals. They sneak up because the venue and photographer get all the attention. How far in advance should I book wedding vendors? Big-ticket vendors like venue, planner, and photographer go 10 to 16 months out. Most others are 6 to 12 months. Where can I find all my wedding vendors in one place? The Engaged Life Vendor Directory has vetted vendors across every category, and the free Vendor Builder saves your picks into a team and budget.Related: Vendor Directory · How to find your vendors · The Vendor Builder
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