Getting Clarity - Vendor Round-table

What do you do when you’re not getting clear direction from the couple or planner?

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Photos courtesy Hannah Walker

Hannah Walker

Jade Collective

@thejade.collective @hashtagxhannah

When direction isn’t clearly defined, we take a proactive but respectful approach. We ask a few targeted clarifying questions to understand the couple’s vision, priorities, and any boundaries, while also leaning on our experience to make thoughtful, informed decisions in the moment. Clear communication, flexibility, and professionalism are key for us . We’re comfortable guiding the process while remaining adaptable so everything runs smoothly and aligns with the overall event atmosphere.

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Photos courtesy Karrie Schou

Karrie Schou

Southern Maryland Flower Farm and Floral Design

@southernmarylandflower

Communicating is key! Luckily, I have lots of opportunities built into my process to help me get a full understanding of what my clients are dreaming of well before their actual wedding day. Through my initial wedding questionnaire, follow up conversations, design meetings and digital mock ups my clients and I both know what to expect when their big day arrives.

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Photo by Abigail Hollis Photography

Abby Usilton

Abigail Hollis Photography

@abigailhollisphoto

With experience in this happening only in the beginning of my career, I decided to lean towards the timeline and other vendors. If it’s during the ceremony, I usually work with the DJ. If it’s at the start of the day I’ll just pick up on the vibe and go from there. I’m a very go with the flow type of person so I try to flow with the couple and the environment that’s created. Never lean into the stress, it always works out amazing.

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Photo by Brooke Michelle Photography

Jenna and Elizabeth

Little Bit Heart

@littlebitheart

Great question! We find visuals most helpful for this step. It’s great when the couple has a Pinterest board for example, because seeing what they’re thinking for tablescapes, florals and the overall look they’re going for is tremendously helpful. We also love going over our portfolio at a meeting or mailing out samples so that they can see (and feel!) invitation designs and let us know what colors, style and typefaces they’re drawn to most.

Elizabeth always says that even when you aren’t exactly sure what you like, you do know what you don’t like, so taking a look at designs or inspiration images can bring a lot of clarity. We try to get a really clear idea of the couple’s style and what they’re picturing for their paper before we send over preliminary designs, but getting into that — seeing their names in an actual layout, seeing how we’ve translated their inspiration — usually really gets it moving towards a final design they love.