Wedding vendor guide
How to compare wedding vendor quotes fairly.
Rewrite each quote into the same scope before comparing totals. A lower price can become the higher choice after hours, staffing, delivery, taxes, service charges and required add-ons are included.
Compare one complete number: base services + required add-ons + delivery/travel + taxes + service charges + gratuity policy + likely overtime.
Normalize every quote
Use the same event date, locations, hours, guest count and deliverables for each vendor.
| Field | Vendor A | Vendor B | Vendor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service hours | Enter hours | Enter hours | Enter hours |
| Staffing & deliverables | List all | List all | List all |
| Travel, setup & teardown | Enter total | Enter total | Enter total |
| Taxes & service charges | Enter total | Enter total | Enter total |
| Payment schedule | List dates | List dates | List dates |
| Complete comparable total | Calculate | Calculate | Calculate |
Read the contract behind the number
Check cancellation and rescheduling terms, substitution rights, insurance requirements, meal or parking needs, overtime rates, ownership of files and what happens if the named professional is unavailable.
Score fit separately from price
Reliability, communication, style, accessibility and experience with the venue may matter. Keep a short written reason for the choice so the decision does not get reopened by memory alone.
Wedding To Do List
Keep the comparison beside the final choice.
The planner stores vendor contacts, quotes, inclusions, concerns, deposits and payment dates together.