Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | 7 Tips for Hiring Wedding Vendors

Mariah Treiber

September 14, 2022

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to kick off the fall wedding season! And what better way than with this gorgeous and oh-so-chic wedding at the Sheraton Hotel in the heart of Pittsburgh? Station Square offers so many photo opportunities—even in the rain! Jessica and Lacy celebrated their wedding day with a black-tie affair. The thing I loved most about their wedding was the palpable emotions. These two express their excitement in the best and most photogenic way!

Jessica and Lacy opted for a formal wedding styled by the talented Alexis Allen at SHE boutique wedding firm. Their heartfelt wedding day is proof that you can have both a luxury wedding design and a completely authentic experience. Their day was a perfect balance of tradition and personalization. I can’t say enough about their fantastic event team who flawlessly pulled together every detail! As Pittsburgh wedding photographers, we can attest that this wedding was perfectly Pittsburgh. I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with their elegant and refined look, too.

If you found your way here, it’s likely you’re in the middle of wedding planning yourself. One of my biggest recommendations is to find wedding vendors that mesh with your wedding style. There are some incredibly talented vendors out there, but their specialties may not correspond with your particular style.

However, when you hire a complementary team of wedding vendors who excel in your style, you’ll end up with cohesive look and wedding experience. Plus, your vendors can collaborate more easily when they’re all on the same page.

So, how do you find your dream team? I’ve got a few tips for you:

The Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square

7 Tips for Finding the Best Wedding Vendors for Your Big Day

1. Ask Your Photographer & Planner

Experienced Pittsburgh wedding photographers and planners should be able to steer you in the right directly with a list of recommended vendors. If they can’t, chances are they haven’t been in the business long (or they recently moved to the area).

If you’re going with a large, upscale wedding like Jessica and Lacy, I highly recommend hiring a full-service wedding planner to design your wedding, book and coordinate with vendors, and relieve wedding planning stress.

Your wedding planner should have a good idea of which reputable, local vendors will work best with your vision. If you don’t have a planner, I’m happy to recommend some wonderful Pittsburgh wedding vendors when you book with us. (You can find some great ones at the end of this post as well.)

2. Ask Friends & Family

Another way to get reliable feedback is by asking friends and family in the area who have recently attended a wedding or tied the knot themselves. Unlike reviews, you personally know these people who can provide more trustworthy info (usually 😜).

3. Read Reviews

Don’t have locals to ask? Go ahead and turn to those online reviews. Beware reviews that mention lack of communication or quality. You need reliable, involved vendors! In fact, I would probably move along if you see any negative reviews when it comes to the wedding industry.

4. Preview their Portfolios & Social Media

Look for vendors with comprehensive and versatile portfolios—you should see more than a handful of highlights from a single wedding. If you don’t feel like they’ve shared the full scope of their services, ask to see more examples of their work.

5. Schedule an Interview

I know, I know. We’re society of indirect communication. Texts and emails are so convenient. But I urge you to book an in-person interview, video chat, or phone call. Personal communication allows you to get a better feel of their personality, professionalism, and communication style. We’re all human—you’ll click with some more than others. Find vendors you really connect with.

6. Do a Test Run or Sample the Product

Tasting wedding cake is a given! But don’t forget to do a test run with hair and makeup and sample your wedding day menu as well.

7. Book ‘em!

At this point, you should have a pretty good idea if your vendor is a fit. Don’t overthink it. If you’ve checked all the boxes and love what you see (or taste), book them before someone else does!

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers | Document Today for Tomorrow

We love all things wedding, and showcasing your love story through photo and video is our passion! We want your memories to stay as vivid as the day you made them. Tell us a little more about you and your wedding day vision here.

Psst—We may be Pittsburgh-based, but we love to travel! Destination weddings? Yes, please! Learn more here.