What Wedding Vendors Should You Book First? A Guide for Iowa Couples
You’re engaged. You’ve celebrated, told your family and friends, and probably saved more than a few wedding ideas. Then comes the question almost every couple eventually asks: where in the world do we start?
After nearly 20 years working in the wedding industry, I can tell you the biggest challenge usually isn’t a lack of options. It’s the opposite. There are venues, photographers, DJs, caterers, florists, planners, videographers and dozens of other decisions competing for your attention.
For most couples, the venue is the natural starting point. Your venue establishes your date, location, capacity and many of the logistical boundaries for the rest of the wedding. Popular venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and throughout Eastern Iowa can book well in advance, especially for Saturdays during peak wedding season.
Once the venue and date are secured, I recommend looking closely at the vendors who can only take a limited number of weddings on a particular day. Your photographer, videographer, DJ and planner often fall into this category. Once the person or team you really want is booked, there may not be another version of them available.
That doesn’t mean every couple should book vendors in exactly the same order. Your priorities should determine the order. If photography is one of the most important parts of your wedding, move it up the list. If you care deeply about the energy of the reception, prioritize entertainment. If you want someone deeply involved in logistics and planning, talk with planners early.
One mistake I see couples make is booking someone simply because they are available. Availability matters, but compatibility matters more. Ask whether you like their style, trust their communication, understand what you’re receiving and feel comfortable with them as a person. A vendor can have beautiful social media and great reviews and still not be the right fit for your wedding.
You also don’t necessarily need every service you’ve seen on a wedding checklist. Some couples want full-service planning. Others love planning and simply need help finding the right professionals. Some prioritize video. Others put that money toward food, entertainment, florals or guest experience. There is no universal formula.
That is a big reason Melissa and I created RM Wed Co. We meet with couples, learn what matters to them, understand their budget and personalities, and help connect them with wedding professionals who make sense for them.
If the right person isn’t currently in our network, we’ll work to find them. Our help is 100% complimentary to couples. Sometimes you don’t need another giant list. You just need someone who knows the wedding industry to help you figure out where to begin.
