KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK VENDORS WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR WEDDING IN ITALY
When planning your wedding in Italy, it's important to ask key questions to your vendors to ensure a smooth and successful experience. Planning a wedding in a foreign country might seem daunting, and finding the right vendors can be challenging and time consuming.
Here are some important questions to ask:
Venues:
Is my desired wedding date available?
What is the capacity of the venue and does it accommodate my guest list?
What are the venue rental fees and what does the package include?
Are there any restrictions or noise ordinances we need to be aware of?
Are there preferred vendors or do we have the flexibility to bring in our own?
Caterers and Food:
Can you accommodate special dietary restrictions or preferences?
How does the pricing structure work? Is it per person or a flat rate?
Can I customise the menu, and if so, what are the options?
Is there a cake cutting fee or any additional charges?
Do you handle the setup and cleanup of the food and drinks?
Photographers and Videographers:
Can I see your portfolio or samples of your previous work?
How many hours are included in the package and can we customise the hours?
Do you provide both photography and videography services?
What is the turnaround time for receiving the final edited images or videos?
Are there any additional fees or travel costs we should consider?
Wedding Planners:
What packages and services do you offer?
Can you assist with legal paperwork and requirements for getting married in Italy?
How involved can we be in the planning process, and what decisions will be made by us versus the planner?
Do you have preferred vendors or can we choose our own?
What is your pricing structure and payment schedule?
Entertainment:
What kind of music or entertainment do you offer?
Can we customize the playlist or provide song requests?
How long can the entertainment perform for?
Do you provide lighting and sound equipment?
Are you familiar with the venue and any restrictions or technical requirements?
Florists and Decorators:
Can you provide a portfolio or examples of your work?
Do you offer packages or can we customize our floral arrangements?
Can you work within our desired budget and style?
Will you handle the setup and take down of the floral arrangements and decor?
Do you offer any additional rental items, such as vases or candles?
And most importantly ask your vendors if their pricing or quotes include VAT (tax) or not. Many vendors might send out net prices (remember in Italy VAT is 22% with some exceptions), and once you are happy with everything and you are ready to book you will realise that you will need an extra 22% on top. It might not be a deal breaker for smaller services, but when you are deciding to spend several thousand dollars for each vendor’s services, at the end of the day the tax only can be quiet overwhelming.
Remember, these are just starting points, and you can adjust and add questions depending on your specific needs and preferences. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification and be detail-oriented to ensure you have a clear understanding of what each vendor offers and what to expect for your wedding in Italy.
