The memory of your engagement is still dancing in your head, and your staring at the beautiful, sparkly new ring on your finger. Take a second to bask in the happiness! Congrats!!
Your next tasks may seem overwhelming, so here are some tips about what vendors you should book first! Keep a few dates in mind as your start to look at your top choices, as you may need to be flexible with your date to get exactly what you want. Keep in mind that a lot of wedding vendors books up early, sometimes over a year in advance!
When looking for vendors, also think about what is most important to you. Budget will need to play a role, of course, but it also includes who will be there to support you, party with you and make you feel awesome and reassured!
The Venue
Think of both wedding and reception for your venue. Are you wanting to do them both at the same location? Are you wanting to get married at a church? This may be the deciding factor on your date. Your venue will secure the look and feel of your wedding day! This will also be the jumping off point to booking the rest of your vendors.
Some venues I love include The Meadow Barn, Blue Haven Barn, The Country Club of Sioux Falls and The Cottage Farmhouse.
The Photographer
Ok, I put this pretty high on my list for obvious reasons, but I do think it is quite important to book your photographer early. I, like most photographers, accept bookings over a year in advance. It is not unusual for me to have my fall mostly booked by the beginning of the year. Look at many photographers, find a style that you like and then meet with them! I love to try and meet with my couples in person, if possible, to make sure we click!
The DJ
The vows have been read, the photos have been taken and now it’s time to party! There are some amazing DJs out there, and they all have different reasons for why they will make your wedding amazing. There are also different levels of involvement you can choose with many DJ companies from just music entertainment to a master of ceremonies and complete room makeover! Decide what’s important to you at your reception.
My favorite DJ companies include Pinnacle Productions, Energy Event Group and DJ Sieff Style.
The Wedding Planner & Decorator
Does this list already seem overwhelming? Do you want someone who is going to be your right hand on your wedding day, while simultaneously making it the most beautiful day ever? Enter the amazing wedding planners and decorators. They will know all the in’s and out’s of the weddings day, what the hottest trends are and how to help your day go SO smoothly.
Some planners & decorators I recommend are Jane Rae Events, Walker Down the Aisle, Serendipitous Events, The Event Company, and Amber Terese Events!
Videographer
While this is something that is still fairly recent in our area, I can’t recommend hiring a professional videographer enough! While I am confident in my abilities to capture your wedding day, there is just something so beautiful about having your very own film as well. I personally had a photographer with a second shooter and a videographer with a second shooter on my wedding day. We were quite the squad, but the photos AND video I have from that day are the things I treasure dearly.
My favorite videographers include Ludeman Productions, Anthony Begley Cinematography and Dan West Films.
Ok, now take a breath. It may seem like a lot now, but we are all here to help you! If you ever have any questions please let any one of us on this list know. There are other vendors to book after this, and if you need any recommendations please let me know! Now go on, we’ve got a wedding to plan!
It’s your love story. Brag a little.™
Bethany Melvin Photography is a Sioux Falls, SD wedding photographer who specializes in capturing love stories. Bethany Melvin Photography is based in the Midwest, but is available nationwide and for destination weddings. Have a question or want more information on booking? Contact Bethany today at hello@bethanymelvin.com or visit bethanymelvin.com
Thanks for sharing these resources! Those photos look so fun! I am so glad that Sioux Falls such an amazing wedding photographer that is so helpful too
Sioux Falls looks like a gorgeous place to be a Wedding Photographer!!
Such a good list for new brides! I know how overwhelming it is when you’re newly engaged but what a great tool to keep brides on task!
These are some great tips, and info! Your clients are so lucky to have you as their Sioux Falls Photographer!
This is so helpful for the people planning weddings in Sioux Falls. What a greater photographer to share this!
You are such an awesome Sioux Falls Wedding Photographer to share these great tips with your clients!
Seriously some of the best information out there – so happy to have found a photographer as excellent as you in the Sioux Falls area for our Wedding
This is such a great article for upcoming brides. I wish my wedding photographer posted something like this before my wedding. Such a great resource for all of the Sioux Falls vendors!
This is such great advice for couples getting married in Sioux Falls! I definitely agree that they should book their wedding photographers first!
Such a great post for brides seeking advice (especially about wedding photographers) in Soix Falls!
Totally agree that wedding photographers need to be booked first or second! I’ve had a handful of couples local to me book with us before deciding on a date/venue because photography is the most important to them. Glad to see it sounds like Sioux Brides feel the same by booking far in advance!
Love the advice!! I’m sending all my engaged friends to Sioux Falls to hire you as wedding photographers!
You offer the best advice to your Sioux Falls wedding clients!! And I am a huge fan of your photography
What amazing advice from an experienced Sioux Falls wedding photographer