Creating Your Itinerary With Vendors

10 steps to help you set up your itinerary for face to face visits with wedding vendors.  Creating Your Itinerary When Visiting Vendors This Episode's Tips, Trends, and To-Do's Tip Number 1: Pull your itinerary together by first writing down the names of each vendor you'll see. Include the telephone number, email address and street address. List the vendors chronologically by time. This becomes helpful in case you begin to run behind during your visits. Tip Number 2: After each visit ask the vendor when they plan to send an estimate now that you have met with them. Typically, it's 2 weeks to 30 days after your visit depending on the vendor's schedule. Tip Number 3: When scheduling your meeting with a florist, bring inspiration items to the session to help the florist develop the look and feel for the event space. For example, pictures from magazines, show your ideas from your Pinterest board, swatches or even threads from the bridesmaids' dresses once the dresses have been altered. Anything that can be used to paint the picture of your vision. Tip Number 4: If you are running late for your appointment, make sure to contact the vendor and let them know and ask if it is ok to arrive a little later or if you need to reschedule the appointment. Never assume that your vendor can see you if you are 20 minutes or more late because they may have another couple scheduled after your visit. Tip Number 5: Don't schedule any more than 3-4 vendors per day during your weekend stay. It becomes overwhelming with information to process especially if the next day is also filled with vendor appointments. You'll need time to relax during the day to regroup and figure out your next steps. Tip Number 6: The cake tasting and food/beverage tasting should not occur on the same day due to the enormous amount of food that you'll encounter. It can make you feel bloated and sluggish. Keep an insulated bag or small cooler in your car in case you have tons of containers filled with leftovers from the cake and food tastings. Those items are great snacks for the trip back home. Tip Number 7: On the day of your bridal portrait or engagement photos schedule your hair and makeup trials during the same weekend. If possible, your hair and makeup should be set before the photo session and you'll start out looking like a million bucks.  Tip Number 8: Here's a way to make the most of your hair run through. Bring your veil so your hair stylist can try different ways to affix it properly with the hair style you prefer. Tip Number 9: When scheduling your meeting with a florist bring inspiration items to the session to help the florist develop the look and feel for the space. For example, pictures from magazines, show your ideas from your Pinterest board, share swatches or threads from the bridesmaids' dresses after the dresses have been altered. Tip Number 10: If you hired a wedding planner, they should schedule these vendor appointments according to your availability. Make sure to include time to debrief afterwards with your wedding planner and discuss questions and concerns so that you have a clear idea of your next steps. If you have not found the venue for your rehearsal dinner, use this weekend to scout out potential locations. If possible, have lunch or dinner there to try out their food during your stay. Thanks for listening to BUSY BRIDE 101, Wedding Planning Tips For The Bride On The Go! To keep up with us and learn more tips, visit our website at www.exquisiteevents.info and on Instagram at exquisite_events_consulting Subscribe to get notified of new episodes and to share with your friends. ALWAYS REMEMBER, YOUR WEDDING IS FOR THE TWO OF YOU! Links and Resources: Exquisite Events and Consulting Busy Bride 101 Busy Bride 101 YouTube Channel Contact Lisa! [email protected] Phone: 704-578-1974