I cannot stress enough how important it is that you connect with your vendors - especially those who are working on the aesthetic elements of your day (florist, decorator, stationery designer) - but I'm serious when I mean that you should connect with ALL your vendors. 

I'm not saying that you need to become best friends with them. What I am saying is that you should have a fundamental respect for what they do and get along well with them. When you're meeting with your vendors for the first time, consider how much you actually like them - it's important to like their work, yes. But it's just as important to like them as well. Why? They'll be taking care of you on this really big, important day. I can't emphasize how much you especially need to get along with your photographer - he or she will be there the WHOLE time. If he irritates you, guess what you're going to remember from your day?

There's another layer when it comes to the vendors who deal with the visual components of your day, like your florist. A few weeks ago, I met with a bride who had a really hard time communicating to me what she was looking for, but because of the connection that we had, I could say "I've got you!" and she knew that it was true. Her stress just melted away. You shouldn't be concerned about making sure your florist "gets" your style or what you want to do - if she connects with you and you with her, it's going to work out! There have also been a few times when a bride and I just can't get on the same page, and I've had to tell her that I'm just not the right floral designer for her. I can pretty much guarantee that the florist/event planner/designer that has you stressed out and constantly feeling the need to oversee is the one who's not going to do the best job for you.

Still looking for your florist or event designer? I have limited availability throughout June - October of 2015, but lots of spring dates are still available! Shoot me an email if you want to talk - stonehouseweddings@gmail.com. Can't wait to talk with you!

Photo by Victoria Anne Photography for the upcoming Wed Prep Workshop, which you should definitely attend!  :)