Your love story is one-of-a-kind — your vendor team should be, too.
You’ve said yes to forever, popped some bubbly, and now… you’re knee-deep in the world of wedding planning. Cue Pinterest boards, late-night Google searches, and a calendar full of consultation calls.
We get it — it’s a lot. But here’s the thing: your wedding vendors aren’t just boxes to check off a list. They’re your teammates. Your support crew. The ones who will laugh with you, cry with you (yes, us included), and make sure your day feels exactly how you dreamed it would. Some of us will feel like an extra wedding party member, assistant, or even bestie on your wedding day.
So how do you make the most of those precious consultation meetings? The ones where you decide who gets to help tell the story of your love?
Let’s break it down — no pressure, no fluff, just real talk.
1. Come With Your Story
We’re not talking about the Pinterest-perfect version of your wedding. We mean you. Who you are as a couple. What you love. What makes you laugh so hard you snort. What you’re most excited about (and, let’s be honest, what’s stressing you out).
When we sit down for a consultation, we want to get to know you — not just your venue and color palette. What would make your wedding day FEEL perfect?
Pro Tip: Share how you met, what your dream wedding vibe feels like (not just how it looks), and what matters most to you on the big day.
2. Ask Questions — And Not Just About Pricing.
Of course, budget matters (and we’re here to work with you – we offer payment plans, and our pricing is ALWAYS fully detailed online). But don’t stop there.
Research the businesses you’re considering. Check reviews. When you’re checking reviews, take notice if there are other vendors reviewing them. If you’ve already booked other vendors, ask them about the vendors you’re considering.
If they’ve sent you anything, read it (we send out an information guide that answers a TON of the normal questions).
Ask things like:
- “What’s your favorite part of a wedding day to photograph?”
- “How do you handle unexpected challenges?”
- “What does your editing style look like in low light?”
- “How do you make people feel comfortable in front of the camera?”
The answers will tell you more than any pricing sheet ever could.
3. Look for a Vibe Check
Yes, we said “vibe check.” Because truthfully? Your vendor experience should feel like a fit. Do you feel seen? Heard? At ease?
You don’t have to walk away from every meeting ready to book, but you should feel like you had a real conversation — not a sales pitch.
Fun fact: Some of our favorite clients weren’t looking for the “perfect” photographer. They were looking for someone who made them feel comfortable, calm, and taken care of. That’s where the magic happens.
4. Take Notes (or record it with your phone)
After a few back-to-back calls, it’s easy to forget who said what. Keep a notebook or note on your phone with impressions, pros/cons, and anything that stood out.
Even better? If you had a moment during the consultation where you thought, “Yes, this person gets us,” — write that down. It’s often more important than the price tag.
And guess what – when you do a consultation with us, we’ll actually email you a follow up with everything we talked about, so you don’t have to remember!
5. Follow Your Gut
You know that fluttery feeling when something just clicks? Trust that. Wedding planning is full of logistics and spreadsheets — but when it comes to your vendor team, lean into your instincts.
If someone makes you feel heard, valued, and understood, that’s gold.
If someone makes you feel like a number on a list? It’s okay to walk away.
And if we’re lucky enough to be on your list? We promise to show up for you with heart, hustle, and cameras ready to catch every single moment — the quiet, the wild, the tearful, and the tender.
TL;DR: Your Consultation Checklist
✅ Be yourself. Seriously.
✅ Ask questions that go beyond logistics.
✅ Look for a connection — not just a contract.
✅ Take notes and trust your instincts.
✅ Choose people who make you feel like your wedding truly matters — because it does.
At the end of the day, your vendors should feel like friends. The kind who cheer you on, fix your veil, hand you tissues, and capture your first look through happy tears.
If you’re looking for that kind of team — we’d love to be part of your story.
📩 Let’s start the conversation.
Because your wedding day isn’t just a day. It’s the beginning of everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I actually ask a wedding photographer in a consultation?
Skip “what’s your style?” – that’s in their portfolio. Ask things that reveal how they work: How do you handle family photos with a large or complicated family? What happens if you get sick on our wedding day? What does getting-ready coverage look like and what do you need from us to make detail photos work? Can I see a full gallery from a wedding at our venue or in similar lighting? The answers tell you how they think under pressure and whether their process fits how your day will actually run.
How many vendor consultations should we do before booking?
For high-stakes vendors – photographer, coordinator, caterer – talk to at least 2-3 before deciding. Not to comparison-shop to exhaustion, but because you won’t recognize what a great consultation feels like until you’ve had a mediocre one for contrast. For lower-stakes vendors where you have strong referrals from vendors you’ve already booked, one is often enough. Don’t let “still deciding” cost you your date – popular vendors fill their calendars while couples are thinking about it.
Is it a red flag if a vendor doesn’t have published pricing?
Not automatically disqualifying, but inefficient for you. Published pricing tells you before the consultation whether their range is even in your ballpark. Vendors who don’t publish pricing often custom-quote based on perceived budget, which can mean two couples with identical needs get different numbers. Ask for a ballpark by email before scheduling the call if nothing is published. You shouldn’t sit through a 45-minute consultation to find out they’re $5,000 outside your range.
