How to Find Wedding Vendors Who Share Your Values
Discover how to create a wedding that truly reflects your beliefs and values by hiring vendors who share your vision.
Finding wedding vendors that align with your values as a couple is an essential part of planning your big day. You want to feel comfortable with whom you choose to collaborate with and allow in the presence of your family and friends.
Thankfully, there are a variety of wedding vendors out there that most likely share similar values as you! Use this advice to help identify wedding pros who align with you so you can work with people you like and respect on your big day!
Ask Yourself What Matters to You
When planning your wedding, have a discussion with your partner about what matters most to you. Is it having a religious officiant, small business owners as vendors, or a venue that has gender-neutral bathrooms? Whatever matters most to you as a couple, be sure to find vendors that align with those values.
Ask For Recommendations
Your inner circle of engaged friends is also a great place to look for recommendations, especially if you share similar values. Getting a recommendation from someone you know and trust is the perfect place to start when looking for vendors that align with your values. If you attended a wedding of a friend or family member and sincerely enjoyed an aspect of their wedding, such as the caterer or the decor rentals, then ask who they used! Your inner circle of engaged friends is also a great place to look for recommendations, especially if you share similar values.
Do Your Research
A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Researching the social channels of your prospective vendors will help you narrow down what vendors represent your values. You can gauge a lot of insight based on the language they use in their posts and the type of content they curate. Another great spot to research your vendors would be their website. Read through their bio or about page, check out their most recent reviews from couples, and see if they match up with what you are looking for.
Ask Other Vendors For Referrals
Chances are that at least one of your favorite vendors has a referral for a like-minded vendor. Many vendors network together and tend to share similar values with their personal inner circle of vendors. Don’t be nervous to ask a vendor you trust for a referral for another. Ask your caterer for a cake decorator referral or your venue for a DJ company.
Ask The Tough Questions
It might seem daunting at times to ask the tough, uncomfortable questions to practically strangers, but making sure your vendor supports your values is important. Be sure to ask if they have worked with similar couples like you and your partner and whether they support certain values. Don’t shy away from asking the nitty gritty, and be sure you feel confident in who you choose to be part of your special day.
Search for Vendors on Trusted Platforms
Everywhere you look you can find a search engine or a site claiming to have the best recommendations. Be sure to check trusted platforms for vendors that align with your values. We at The Budget Savvy Bride are putting together a great resource for couples searching for vendors. There are plenty of bridal sites to search for trusted vendors, including The Knot and Thumbtack.
How to Find Wedding Vendors Based on Specific Values
Getting down to the details and what matters most for your wedding day comes back to finding vendors that support your values. When looking for vendors based on specific values it is important to do your research and really discuss what is most important to you as a couple.
Small Businesses
More and more couples are choosing to partner with small businesses for their wedding day, and fortunately, the majority of wedding vendors are just that! Supporting a small business not only helps the community but can be personally rewarding. A great way to start your search for small business vendors is to look locally. A quick trip down the main street or through the rush of town and you will most likely find a vendor or two! Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for sourcing local small businesses, and Etsy has a huge variety of craft and decor small business vendors to choose from.
Supporting Accessibility
Finding vendors that support accessibility is important in creating an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. You can find out if your vendor supports specific needs by asking tough questions and searching based on specific terms. The Knot also offers an Ultimate Guide to Accessible Wedding Planning.
Nonprofit
The best place to begin searching for nonprofit vendors for your wedding is in your local community. Libraries tend to be a great resource with information on nonprofits in the area. You can also check a vendor’s site and about page to see how they give back to the community. Google is also a great place to search for local nonprofit wedding vendors.
Religious Affiliation
Many couples choose to have their weddings with their religious affiliation. If you currently attend a church or religious meeting then this would be best the source for finding vendors that share your values.
Eco-Friendly
The Live Green is a huge movement spreading across our nation. Finding vendors that are eco-friendly and sustainable may be important to you as a couple. Social media is a great tool when searching for eco-friendly vendors. Searching current hashtags like #ecofriendlywedding and #sustainablewedding will bring up vendors related to this value.
Vegan
Food is one of the most exciting and delicious parts of a wedding. Accommodating your guests or your dietary preferences is essential. Be sure to search for caters that offer what type of food you are looking for, and don’t be afraid to ask the ones you like if they can modify a menu item. Usually, they are willing to work with you!
How to Find Wedding Vendors that Celebrate Diversity
Everyone deserves a wedding where they feel valued and celebrated. Finding vendors that align with your diversity and lifestyle is key in having a comfortable wedding day.
LBGTQIA+ Owned/Ally Friendly
Asking questions and vetting the vendors you choose is the easiest way to find out if they support the LBGTQIA+ community. Social media is yet again another great resource when looking for vendors that support the LBGTQIA+ community. Searching hashtags related to LBGTQIA+ community, such as #LBGTQvendors will help narrow down your search. Love Inc, Equally Wed, and Pridezillas each offer a variety of information and resources to help you connect with LBGTQIA+ vendors.
BIPOC or Black-Owned
There are many great resources online to find Black-owned vendors for your special day. The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals and Vendors of Color are both large online resources for individuals looking for Black-owned businesses. They have a directory listed by category, so you can easily search for specific vendors like salons and transportation. If you are searching for Etsy Black-owned wedding businesses, check out this article!
LatinX-Owned
Forums and group pages have a plethora of information about vendors in your area. When searching for Latinx-Owned vendors, be sure to check Facebook pages as well as forums on other wedding sites to see recommendations. Photographers tend to have many connections in the wedding industry, and some have even provided resources online about Latinx wedding vendors in their area.
AAPI-Owned
Hi Holden is a fabulous resource when looking for Asian American Pacific Islander wedding businesses. Here is an article that includes over 70 AAPI-owned wedding businesses you must check out! Depending on where you are located, many community magazines have compiled lists of AAPI wedding vendors.
Women-Owned
Take to social media once again when searching for women-owned vendors. Instagram houses many active women-owned businesses. Searching terms like #womenowned and #womenownedbusinesses and using location will assist in narrowing down your search. You can even search local tags that include your city name. Be sure to check out Savvy Women-Owned Wedding Brands as well!
Values-based Vendor Searching FAQ
How do you talk to your vendor about your values to ensure you’re on the same page?
Like in any situation, it is best to be kind and courteous when asking questions. Be friendly with your prospective vendor and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions at the beginning to ensure that your values align. You can do this via messenger, email, phone, or in person— whatever way makes you as a couple feel most comfortable.
What is a polite way to decline working with a vendor?
The best way to decline working with a vendor is to simply communicate with them. Deciding to take a different direction and work with another vendor in no way makes you a bad person or client. The vendor will appreciate the honesty and open communication even though you are choosing a different vendor to work with. Start with thanking them for their time, for sharing their valuable information, and then let them know why you have chosen to go a different route. Finally, wish them the best in their endeavors.
What are some things to look for that show a vendor’s values?
So you found a vendor you truly love, that is great! Now you want to know what to look for to ensure their values match yours. A good place to start is their website and their social media channels. Do they use inclusive language? Are they open and communicative with their couples? What are other couples saying or posting about this vendor? A vendor who uses inclusive language and has open paths of communication shows they value others and different perspectives.
Do Your Vendors Align with Your Vision and Values?
In conclusion, the process of planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but it is crucial to ensure that the professionals you hire align with your values. By taking the time to research and carefully choose vendors who share your vision and beliefs, you can be sure that your special day will reflect the essence of who you are as a couple.
Whether you value sustainability, inclusivity, or ethical practices, finding vendors who prioritize the same values can make all the difference in creating a wedding that feels authentic and meaningful. So, don’t hesitate to take the time to find the right vendors for you, and remember to sign up for updates about our upcoming wedding vendor directory to help you along the way.
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