Your Wedding Checklist - Choosing suppliers

Wedding breakfast table setting in 116 Pall Mall, London

With so many options to choose from, it can feel difficult to get started, but our expert wedding team are here to help with their advice...

Now that you’ve chosen your venue – hopefully with the help of Part One of our wedding planning series – it’s time to embark on the daunting but extremely exciting task of choosing your suppliers. Here we’ve put together some tips on where to begin…

Know your priorities

Knowing where to start is a tricky but crucial aspect in choosing your suppliers. Think logically about what needs to be in place first, and which parts of your big day relies on others. For example, don’t book a DJ or band until you know your venue can accommodate a dancefloor or stage. Want family-style sharing platters for dinner? Don’t commit to your catering until you know what furniture you’ll have at the reception – you don’t want people trying to balance a three-course meal on a bar stool! Seasonality is also key: your favourite flowers or fruit and vegetables might not be at their best on your wedding day if they’re not local or seasonal, and try not to get carried away booking outdoor entertainment if you’re thinking of tying the knot in winter. Your suppliers will be able to advise you on all of this, so make sure you build a strong relationship with them yourselves or via your wedding planner to get the best guidance.

Always be honest

Speak to anyone about organising a wedding and they’ll often advise you to not actually say the word ‘wedding’ when you’re enquiring, as this will “double or triple the price.” We’re sure this has happened occasionally in the past, but the wedding industry is dedicated to making your day as special as possible, not as expensive as possible. By pretending your celebration is a birthday or anniversary in the hope of a better deal, you’re selling yourself short and may not receive the wow factor that everyone who works in weddings is desperate to give you!

Always be honest with your suppliers when it comes to your big day, your budget and your expectations, so they can offer the best possible advice, products and services that suit you and your partners’ taste and style.

Wedding flowers in 116 Pall Mall, London

Ask your friends

Every aspect of planning and hosting a wedding can be stressful, so don’t forget to ask for advice from those who’ve been there, done that. Think back to the weddings you’ve been to recently and the aspects of those that you particularly enjoyed. Was there a special arrangement of a song you love that the band played? Did a particular meal or cocktail take your fancy? Were the decorations tasteful yet memorable? Reading or hearing client testimonials are so important when it comes to trusting a supplier with your vision, and having them come from people you know and can rely on are worth twice as much. Chances are your newlywed friends had help from their friends when it came to choosing their suppliers, so they’ll be more than happy to share their own learnings.

Get it in writing

If the last few years have taught us one thing, it’s that anything can happen! Make sure to have all contracts, agreements and changes in writing, as well as a watertight insurance policy that covers every aspect of your day – from problems with the venue to illness affecting your band or entertainment. As we mentioned in Part One of our wedding planning series, forms and contracts aren’t very romantic, but they’ll give you an extra level of reassurance and trust when it comes to your big day, giving you one less thing to worry about as you gear up towards your beautiful wedding.

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING AT 116 PALL MALL

An unforgettable day in an extraordinary venue. 116 Pall Mall is one of London’s most majestic London wedding venues. You’ll be spoilt for choice with our wide range of spaces, all ideal for every kind of ceremony.

You can even hire the whole venue on weekends, with capacities of up to 1,500 standing or 50—250 seated.

Make an enquiry for more information or to arrange a tour.

Find out more about weddings