Creating A Wedding Vendor Checklist

Let's talk about what wedding vendors you'll need and the best order to hire them! When you're just getting started planning your wedding, it's essential to have a wedding vendor checklist list to refer to. We can help! Use the order below to create a vendor checklist for your wedding, complete with suggestions for a hiring timeline! You can also score your FREE copy of our Ceremony Placement Cheat Sheet to start planning your wedding ceremony! 

The very first thing you should choose is your venue. 

The most obvious way to start your wedding checklist is with your venue! Try to have your venue booked at least a year in advance, if possible. You won't have as many options available if you wait too long! Don't pay for anything (especially book dates with nonrefundable deposits) with other vendors until after you've booked the venue. The foundation of your wedding day rests on the site or place you choose to have the celebration. Be...

What Does A Day Of Wedding Coordinator Do?

Today we're talking all about what a day of coordinator does at your wedding! But first, grab a free copy of our Ceremony Cheat Sheet! Packed full of useful tips to help keep your planning!

First and foremost, they're going to be a big part of relieving your stress in general. A day of wedding coordinator is responsible for executing all the small details required during your event.  They're going to be your point person all day for everything and anything! This way, you don't have to work your event and neither do your friends or family! In the simplest and most basic form, a day of coordinator serves as your problem solver for the day. Every wedding has an unexpected issue or seven! Having a point person in place to transitions these problems from potential delays to no biggies will make or break your event. A professional wedding coordinator is an expert at this!

Additional duties can include creating...

How to pick a wedding date!

As a newly engaged couple, one of the first things you may ask yourselves is "how to pick a wedding date!" It's an important question and picking a wedding date shouldn't be done in a hurry! We recommend considering a few factors before you decide.

Since all your friends and family are eager to find out about the wedding day, you'll frequently run into the same question, "so when is the wedding?" There's a reason for this. After determining your budget, securing a wedding date is one of the most critical choices you have to make during your wedding planning. Do you want an outdoor wedding? Do you want a ceremony during the warmer months? Are you dreaming of jingle bells and sleigh rides? Then a winter holiday wedding is perfect for you.

Regardless of what date you decide, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a wedding date. But first, grab a FREE copy of our Emergency Wedding Kit Checklist and be prepared for anything on your wedding day!

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What To Rent And What To Buy For Your Wedding Day

Welcome to The Bride Link podcast, your home for expert wedding planning advice! Today we're talking all about what you should rent versus what you should buy when you're planning your wedding and how to save money while wedding planning. You can also score your FREE copy of our Ceremony Cheat Sheet! A great tool to help plan your dream ceremony from start to finish! Some items may seem a smart buy at first but in reality, they'll end up costing you more in the end. When renting for your wedding, keep in mind the price you pay includes services and preparation for those items you never see. When choosing to buy over renting, remember to consider not only the cost but also your time. Time for things like set-up, delivery & pick-up, storage, and clean-up! Use these handy tips to figure what's best for you!

What to rent:

Let's begin with the table and chairs you'll need! If it's not part of what comes with your wedding venue package...

It’s October and we are here for all the spooky ghost stories!  Who knew we have one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the United States right here in Tennessee with a myriad of reported hauntings? Antoinette Hall located in Pulaki, Tennessee may be one of the most haunted places in the state.  Reports show that groups and individuals have experienced cold spots, disembodied voices, shadow figures, equipment interaction, EVPs, footsteps, batteries being drained, people have been made physically sick to the point of vomiting, people have been scratched, black mist, a piano playing on its own, smells of flowers, the feeling of your energy being drained, feelings of being watched and being touched by unseen hands. Tess Mann, owner of Couture by Tess Bridal boutique in Cookeville, Tennessee, recently partnered with Tammy Pierchoski, Executive Director of STAAR Theatre at Antoinette Hall in a campaign to raise awareness about the restoration of the historical...

Wedding Day Emergency Kit - Set Up Kit

Today on The Bride Link, you can find out exactly what you need to pack in your wedding day emergency kit! For a quick cheat sheet, get your FREE copy of our Wedding Day Emergency Kit List! 

To be as prepared as you can be for your wedding day, it's best to create two different types of kits. Today, we're addressing your Set-Up Kit, which lists everything that your set-up person should have while decorating for a wedding. Also called your decor kit, it helps solve easy problems as soon as they pop up. If you've opted to have a friend or family member do your wedding decor, they'll have access to common items and won't need to bother you, the guest of honor, while you're getting ready on such an important day. We discussed building your Personal Kit on a separate blog, which focuses on what you need on hand while getting ready. It's full of items like bobby pins, hairspray, deodorant, and that's for you as the...

Serving appetizers can be an essential part of keeping your guests happy. It can be easy for budget-conscious couples to try to skip the cocktail hour so that you can eat with your guests after photos. But there is nothing worse than keeping your guests hungry and waiting for you to arrive! Guests will actually leave early in search of eating something hearty instead of waiting for you to do your first dance. We’ve provided some tips to help you keep your guests happy instead of hungry!

How much food should you plan for?

If your Cocktail Hour, or your “Appy Hour” if you have a non-alcoholic reception, count on 2-4 bites per person per hour. So 2-4 bites per person for 1 hour, 5-6 bites per person for 1 ½-2 hours, 8-10 for anything longer than 2 hours. If you plan to replace a meal with heavy hor derves, then you’ll need 12-15 bites per person.

Length of Time

The health department recommends having food out for 2 hours or less. The...