Trust us on this one, planning a wedding comes with a whole lot of decision making. Once you’ve picked your location and your venue, the next step is picking your vendors. Some of the vendors that will play a role in your big day include the florist, photographer, caterer, make-up artist, hairstylist, decor provider, and the list continues. If you’re travelling to a destination for your wedding, these choices become all the more difficult.

Whenever possible, we always recommend choosing local vendors. There are several reasons that it’s a good idea to go local. If you’re on the fence, we’ve broken down those reasons for you.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

First and foremost, the decision to choose local often comes with the decision to support small businesses. The best in the business aren’t always the ones that appear at the top of your Google search, so you can lean on your wedding planner or any friends you have in the area to give you the scoop. Small local businesses provide an intimate, personal experience that you simply won’t get when you go big. Also, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you’re helping small business owners live their dreams while you put together your dream wedding.

AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE

If you’re working with a planner, it’s best to choose local businesses because they’ve likely worked with them in the past. Your planner can offer advice on choosing vendors from a place of first-hand knowledge and experience. If you’re not a local, you gain an insider’s perspective when you get recommendations from your planner’s preferred vendors list.

BE PART OF THE PROCESS

As we mentioned, small businesses offer a more personalized experience. Therefore, you are often given the chance to be as involved as you’d like in the process. They know the area, they know the drill, and you can look forward to transparency on what to expect and when. You’ll feel heard, understood, and important as everything unfolds.

NO MISSED CONNECTIONS

If you’re not on-the-scene in the same location that you’re getting married, your wedding planner will be. Therefore, you don’t need to rely on emails to keep up communications, you or your wedding planner can take part in in-person meetings to ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. There are tons of balls in the air during the wedding planning journey, and keeping in touch and up to date is made simple if you or someone on your behalf can check-in in person.

SAVE MONEY

If you’re a fan of saving money, you’re going to like this one. If you choose vendors from outside of your wedding’s location, their travel expenses will become part of your wedding costs. Picking a local photographer, videographer, makeup artist, and hairstylist will save you big on getting them to your location and paying for their stay.

REDUCE TRAVEL STRESS

When you pick local vendors, your wedding planner can hold onto deliveries and various wedding items for you; that way, you don’t need to travel with them. Travelling is already stressful enough, why not reduce that stress by getting rid of excess luggage?

LEARN FROM THE LOCALS

One of the best parts about selecting local vendors is that they know the area better than anyone. While you’re ironing out the details of your wedding with your vendors, ask them about the must-see and must-do things in the area and get to know that the locals love about the area. Forget about Tripadvisor, you’re getting the inside scoop.

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job, if you choose your vendors mindfully and do your research through asking people you trust rather than surfing the internet, it will help relieve some of the extra stress and tasks.

Enjoy the process!