Wedding Season Is Here. Before You Book a Single Vendor, Read This.
There's something special about this time of year.
Summer is always busy with weddings, but in Ohio, August through early November is when everything really comes alive. Wedding vendors get busier, engagement season starts to build, websites see more traffic, social media fills up with proposals, and couples begin taking those first exciting steps toward planning one of the biggest days of their lives.
As someone who has spent more than 13 years in the wedding industry, I feel a responsibility to help not only brides and grooms, but also parents, bridal parties, maids and matrons of honor, best men, and anyone else helping plan a wedding. Every year I like to write something like this because I remember what it felt like to plan my first wedding—there are hundreds of vendors, thousands of opinions, and everyone claims they're the perfect fit. It can be overwhelming.
So before you start booking vendors, here are a few things I hope you'll think about.
Start with the non-negotiables.
Before you ever schedule a venue tour or reach out to photographers, sit down together and make a list of your must-haves.
What absolutely matters to you?
Maybe it's incredible photography.
Maybe it's an intimate ceremony.
Maybe it's amazing food.
Maybe it's having everyone you love in one room.
There's no wrong answer, but knowing your priorities early makes every decision afterward much easier.
Build your guest list early.
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see couples make.
The size of your guest list affects almost everything.
It impacts:
your venue
your catering
your rentals
your timeline
your overall budget
Even if your list isn't perfect, getting a realistic estimate early will help you avoid falling in love with venues or vendors that simply don't fit your budget.
Book your venue first.
I've always believed the venue sets the tone for the entire wedding day.
Whether you're planning an intimate elopement with a handful of family members or a celebration with 500 guests, your venue should support the experience you're trying to create.
Ask yourself:
Is there enough room for everyone?
Will guests feel comfortable?
Is it accessible?
Does it fit your vision?
Does it photograph well?
Does it provide a great experience for your vendors?
At the end of the day, you're hosting one of the biggest gatherings of your lives. Your venue becomes the foundation that everything else is built around.
Next, think about how your day will be remembered.
After the flowers have wilted...
After the cake has been eaten...
After everyone goes home...
What remains?
Your photographs.
Your films.
Your albums.
Your memories.
As a photographer, I'd love to tell you that Sheldon James Photography is the perfect fit for everyone.
Sometimes that's true.
Sometimes another photographer is the better fit for your vision.
And that's okay.
The important thing isn't choosing me.
It's choosing someone who understands your vision and has both the experience and the equipment to preserve your day the way you imagine it.
"My friend has a nice camera..."
I hear this every single year.
"My friend just bought a camera."
"My cousin takes great pictures."
"They're pretty good."
Maybe they are.
But weddings are unlike any other event.
There are no second chances.
No do-overs.
No "let's try that again."
Your photographer is documenting your family's history in real time.
Your videographer is preserving voices you'll someday miss hearing.
The hugs.
The laughter.
The speeches.
The tears.
The nervous smiles.
Grandparents.
Parents.
Children.
Twenty years from now, some of those people won't be standing beside you anymore.
That's why experience matters.
You're not hiring someone to push a shutter button.
You're trusting someone to preserve history.
Your creative team works together.
Photography.
Videography.
Planning.
DJ.
Florist.
Hair and makeup.
Catering.
Transportation.
Every one of us has a different job, but we're all working toward one goal:
Making your vision come to life.
The best weddings happen when every vendor works together as one team.
Do your homework.
This might be the most important advice I can give.
Research your vendors.
Read reviews.
Ask questions.
Schedule calls.
Look through complete wedding galleries—not just Instagram highlights.
Everyone has a different budget, and I truly believe there are talented creatives at nearly every price point.
But don't confuse "less expensive" with "too good to be true."
Be careful of wedding scams.
Unfortunately, every year we see couples lose hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars to fake vendors.
Many scams begin with urgency.
"Book in the next hour."
"Today's the last day."
"Limited-time offer."
If someone pressures you into making a decision before you've had time to think, ask questions, or verify who they are, that's a major red flag.
Saving a few hundred dollars isn't worth risking your entire wedding budget.
Slow down.
Research.
Ask questions.
Trust your instincts.
My biggest piece of advice.
You're planning your first wedding.
For many of you...
...it's also your only wedding.
Give yourself permission to slow down.
Choose vendors who make you feel comfortable.
Choose people who communicate well.
Choose professionals who earn your trust before they ever earn your business.
When your wedding day arrives, you shouldn't be wondering if everyone is going to show up.
You should simply be excited to marry your best friend.
That's what this season is really about.
And if this little reminder helps even one couple avoid unnecessary stress, then writing it every year is worth it.
I wish you nothing but an incredible planning journey, and if our paths cross along the way, we'd be honored to help tell your story. ❤️
