Published April 30, 2026 · WeddingSimplified

20 Questions to Ask Every Wedding Vendor Before You Book

Most couples book wedding vendors based on vibe and price — and then get burned by what the contract didn't say. The right questions to ask wedding vendors before you sign anything aren't obvious. They come from experience — either yours or a professional planner's. These 20 questions apply to every vendor category and will save you from the most common booking mistakes.

Universal Questions (Ask Every Vendor)

1. Will you personally be at my wedding, or will you send someone else? Many photographers, florists, and caterers take bookings and then subcontract. Know who you're actually getting.
2. Are you fully booked on our date, or is our booking conditional on anything?
3. What does your contract cover and what's excluded? Ask for the contract before committing, not after.
4. What is your cancellation and postponement policy? COVID taught us all this lesson. Know it upfront.
5. Do you have public liability insurance? Required for all professional vendors. Don't hire anyone who can't confirm this.
6. What happens if you're ill or unavailable on our wedding day? What's the backup plan?
7. Can we see a fully itemised quote? Not a package summary — line by line, with every possible charge listed.

Photography-Specific Questions

8. How long have you been photographing weddings and can we see a full gallery (not just highlights)?
9. How many hours of coverage is included? What's the overtime rate?
10. When will we receive our photos and in what format?
11. Do you retain ownership of our images? Can we print freely?

Venue and Catering Questions

12. What are your noise restrictions and what time does music need to end?
13. Is there a minimum spend or minimum guest count?
14. What is your corkage fee if we bring our own alcohol?
15. Are tables, chairs, linen, and crockery included or hired separately?
16. What's the wet weather contingency for outdoor ceremonies?

Florist Questions

17. Can we see photos of weddings you've done with a similar budget to ours?
18. How do you handle seasonal flower unavailability?

Music / Entertainment Questions

19. Do you take requests? Is there a "do not play" list option?
20. What equipment do you bring and what does the venue need to provide?

Why These Questions Matter

Every one of these questions has been asked because someone — somewhere — didn't ask it and paid the price. The photographer who sent their assistant. The venue that charged $800 in cake-cutting fees that weren't on the quote. The DJ who only took requests from a list you didn't see until the night. Ask the questions. Get the answers in writing. Book with confidence.