Country Club of Orlando, Photography by Kristen Weaver

Are you in full wedding planning mode yet (if you attended The Winter Park Wedding Stroll a few weeks ago, our guess is you probably are!)? Or, are you just starting to get glimpses of what’s to come as you plan your most special day?

Whichever it is, we’re here to help! As we embark on a new season of wedding planning, we want to share popular questions and helpful answers to make the time leading up to your wedding just as special as the day itself.

Today, we want to discuss an important question that we frequently get asked – from brides and from venues alike:

Do I book my wedding planner or my venue first?

Bella Collina, Photography by Kristen Weaver

This is a great question! And we have some insight that may help you decide…

Many couples ask this question because of a few additional questions such as:

1. If we don’t have a date, how do I know my wedding planner will be available the same day that we pick the venue date?

2. Once we pick a venue, will it require me to use its preferred wedding planners?

3. Do venues like it when a couple has a wedding planner before booking the venue and date?

We’re here to break it all down for you!

Let’s start out with discussing if you choose to book your wedding planner first. The perks of contracting your wedding planner before your venue are quite strong.

First, we save you time.

We have a plethora of knowledge of wedding venues, and know what styles and budgets work well with them. Rather than spending your weekends touring venue after venue with disappointments, free up your free time and let us do the work. We can provide guidance on which venues are reputable, fit your style, and work with your budget.

Second, we can save you money.

We cannot guarantee that we can save you money, but many times we understand what may be able to be negotiated and how to go about it. We understand the logics of why some venues won’t let you book a date farther out even though the space is empty. We know why contracting more hotel rooms opens up possibilities for more desirable dates many times. And we are mindful of which venues may provide discounted options based on availability and dates.

We also understand contracts – meaning, we know what is reasonable and what may not be. For example, Florida has hurricanes. What’s the clause for if your wedding is cancelled due to a hurricane? We make sure you are covered and your money isn’t wasted.

Third, we have many relationships built with venues.

We see many of our venue catering managers frequently at industry events and the like and we can talk the venue talk with them to understand how to get you what you want. Is there something you really desire, but need extra help to make it happen? A friendly call can sometimes go a long way to work together in making it happen. Knowing that you have a wedding planner can be extra helpful for venues. They know we understand their world and they understand ours. It can be much easier to negotiate and book with a wedding planner than on your own. And, they know they have professional help in making your dreams happen.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Photography by Sunshine Photographics

But what if you decide to book your venue before your wedding planner? Consider the following…

– your preferred wedding planner may not be available on the day you’ve booked for your venue

– you may miss out on touring unique venues that may be hard to find online

– you could overlook contract specifics and be accountable for more than you thought

As you can see, this is a pretty important question to ask and if you haven’t selected your venue yet, one that can be helpful to get answered before you book anything. If you’re planning a wedding in Orlando, Winter Park, Downtown, or any other Central Florida location, please contact me at michele@michelebutlerevents.com for guidance on which venues may be the perfect option for you.