We recently released our ultimate guide to choosing wedding suppliers on our blog (see it here), but we thought it was equally important to share our knowledge on the different types of wedding suppliers. From caterers to videographers and wedding planners, the world of wedding suppliers can seem a bit daunting. So, we’re here to help you to learn a bit more about what the different suppliers can offer you. Ready? Let’s go.
Venue
The venue is often the first thing you’ll need to choose when you’re planning a wedding. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice! Some things to think about are whether the venue can accommodate your guest numbers, if it fits into your budget, whether there’s sufficient accommodation for your guests at the venue and/or nearby and what’s included in the venue fee.
The good thing about choosing a venue is that once you’ve made a decision, the other choices will normally fall into place. Here at Pynes House, we’ve got a recommended list of some of our favourite suppliers for floristry, photography and beyond – click here to have a look at it. If you’re after some extra help with your planning in the lead up to the wedding, we’re also happy to recommend Grace & Honour Weddings, Elisabeth Shell Events, Hyland Weddings & Events and Katrina Otter Weddings.
Catering
Your catering options will depend on the venue, as some offer their own in-house catering, some have an exclusive partnership with a caterer, and some have a list of recommended caterers. Here at Pynes house, we’re lucky enough to partner with Pickle Shack. Not only have they won the National Wedding Caterer of 2020 and 2021, but they’re also sure to provide a beautiful and memorable experience. To learn more about Pickle Shack, check out their Q&A on our blog, here.
If your venue allows a choice of caterers, then you will need to thoroughly research, read reviews, get quotes and then check and double check that the quotes include everything you need (like catering equipment, crockery, cutlery, glassware and linens). Remember it isn’t just about the food, but also the service and organisation of the caterer on the day, as they play such a key part in making sure that the timings stay on track. Another important thing to note – be sure to book early to secure the date with the caterers, as they book up early. If Pynes House is your venue of choice, you can rest assured that you’ll automatically secure Pickle Shack’s amazing catering at the time of booking the venue.
Food is such an important part of the wedding celebrations and can really set the tone for the day. This means that it’s important to thoroughly do your research on your caterer, so that you can choose a caterer who truly shares your vision for the day. It’s equally important to book your caterer as soon as you can – they tend to get very booked up in advance.
Photographer and Videographer
Photography is normally one of the first things that people think of when they’re choosing their wedding suppliers; and for good reason! They will bring a part of the day that you’ll take away and treasure for years to come. Videography has also become increasingly popular in the last few years and can be a great way to capture the essence of your wedding day. Be sure to start your research (and then book) your photographer/ videographer early so that you don’t miss out. It’s also important to think about what your budget is, bearing in mind that pricing will likely differ depending on location.
When you’re researching, try to work out what style you’re after – this blog gives a useful rundown on the main styles of wedding photography. You could also ask your venue if they have any recommendations. When you’re getting in contact with the photographer, also think about whether you get along well on a personal level – you will be spending lots of time with them on the day and it’s important you feel comfortable with them and their style of directing photography. Lastly, it’s also a good idea to establish whether the photographer has worked at your venue before – it helps if they have experience of the best locations and the lighting.
We’ve had the pleasure of working with our recommended photographers for some time now and they’ve come to know the ins and outs of Pynes House well – check out our comprehensive supplier list here.
Flowers
Flowers can be a beautiful way to make your wedding theme and colour palette come to life. While you’re doing your research on florists, be sure to spend some time deciding on the style and colours you’re after. Think about the time of year that you’re getting married too, as lush seasonal shades can be a beautiful statement. This blog on wedding flower terms might come in handy while you’re doing your research.
We’re happy to recommend the following florists: The Flower Sessions, Emma Hewlett flowers, Weddings at Poppys, The Rose Shed.
Tree and Greenery Hire
Hiring trees and greenery can be a great way to truly bring your floral and foliage arrangements to life. Whether you choose to put the greenery inside or outside, they can add to a beautiful indoor-outdoor flow. Here at Pynes House, we’re lucky to have Bernaville Nurseries only a few minutes away from car. There, you can hire a whole range of plants and trees. Head over to their website here.
Marquees
We’ve seen a number of beautiful marquee weddings here at Pynes House and they can be a great way to add something slightly different to your wedding day. They can also allow greater numbers for dining, if your guest numbers don’t fit in the indoor spaces. Just remember to speak to your marquee supplier about the logistics for the day and whether you’ll need additional suppliers (if you’re dining in the marquee, you will usually need a refrigerated trailer and don’t forget toilets!).
If you’re interested in a marquee wedding, head over to our blog here to see a recent marquee wedding at Pynes House. Or, check out this great blog article by Coco Wedding Venues.
Cakes
Choosing a wedding cake supplier can often appear daunting, especially when added to the long to-do list for your wedding day. So, we’ve done some of the hard work for you and recently created a blog post dedicated to some of our favourite wedding cake suppliers in the South West. Head over to the blog (here) to learn more about the different styles of each supplier, their awards, and their services.
Music and Entertainment
From roaming bands to DJs and cellists, music can be the perfect way to set the scene for your wedding day. For even more personalisation, you could even ask your guests to write down a few songs on the RSVP card and then give your favourites to your music providers. If you’re after some music and entertainer recommendations, click here to browse our extensive list of recommended suppliers.
Hair and Make-Up Artists
Many of our brides opt for a professional for their hair and makeup. If you’re hoping to do the same, it’s important to start researching early as they can get booked up quite fast. When you’re researching, Instagram can be a great place to find hair and make-up artists, or you could even ask your photographer/ videographer if they have any recommendations. Pinterest can also be a great source of inspiration.
Wedding Attire
Finding a bridal or menswear boutique with your dream wedding attire can be surprisingly challenging and has the potential to take up a lot of time. We also know how important it is to get it right. So, we’ve already done some of the hard work for you and put together a list of some of our favourite local bridal boutique gems in the South West – check out the blog post here. Or, head over to some of the Real Weddings on our blog (here), to have a look what wedding attire our other couples have chosen.
Transport
Think vintage cars, or even restored single deck and double deck buses. If they are having a church ceremony, a number of couples have opted for special transport between the ceremony and their reception here at Pynes House. Each time, the transport has made the journey extra special. Just remember to bear in mind your guest numbers when choosing transport, as practicalities are also important.
Check out our recommended Quantock Heritage bus supplier here.
Wedding Stationery
Working with a wedding stationery supplier to provide invitations, table names, welcome signs and table plans can be a great way to add a bespoke touch to your wedding day. Plus, it can help to bring cohesion to your theme and colour scheme, where each part of the day blends together seamlessly. For even more personalisation, you could create personalised cocktail napkins – we’ve seen some great ones over the years. They could include a few fun facts about your journey as a couple, or even some trivia questions about yourselves.
For more ideas on how to make your wedding truly memorable, see our blog post here. Or, check out our recommended wedding stationary suppliers: Bureau Design, Knots and Kisses.
That concludes our guide to the main different types of wedding suppliers. If all this talk of weddings has got you inspired, why not check out our recent blog post on Our Favourite Ideas for a Decadent and Luxurious Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding. Any questions? Please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Image Credits:
Image 1 by Miss Gen Photography / Gallery 1 & 2 by Miss Gen Photography / Gallery 3 (from left to right): Image 1 & 4 by Rebecca Goddard Photography, Image 2 by Imogen Xiana Photography, Image 3 by Lottie Ettling Photography, Image 5 by John Barwood Photography, Image 6 by Amy O’Boyle Photography. Cakes from Edible Essence Cake Art / Gallery 4 by Tom and Lizzie Redman.