So which Bakersfield Wedding Vendors should you hire first? Read on to find out!

Congratulations! You got the ring! You’re suddenly filled with many emotions now that you’re engaged: excitement, nervousness… and if we’re being completely honest, you’re possibly feeling a little overwhelmed (in a good way, of course!).

Nonetheless, your engagement is an exciting time for you and your fiancé! We’ll often hear brides tell us they felt a little overwhelmed at the start of their wedding planning. We understand that the thought of wedding planning can be a little intimidating. You may begin to start browsing Pinterest, the motherland of new age wedding inspiration! Or even hopping on Instagram to search wedding hashtags for some ideas. You’ll start to think of possible wedding dates but have no idea how to go about it.

Remember, Bakersfield Wedding Vendors can book up to one year in advance…

On occasion, we’ll also hear brides tell us they weren’t able to hire their dream vendor they wanted to work with because one: They were way out of their budget, or two: They were already booked. Keep in mind that most wedding vendors can get booked up to one year or two in advance. So it’s a good idea to start inquiring with vendors as soon as you can.

All of this being said, we’ve compiled a list of local vendors we love that you’ll want to consider hiring first. You’ll save some time and stress along the way! If you aren’t from Bakersfield, you can also read on find out which vendors to reach out to first!

1. Wedding Planner

You’ll first want to start with your wedding planner for obvious reasons. Hiring a wedding planner will save you stress and money down the road! For brides that don’t have a lot of extra time to plan their big day, a wedding planner may be the answer. They’ll be doing the heavy lifting for you so that you can enjoy your wedding day, stress-free. Not to mention, they’ll be the ones in contact with your vendors, creating your timeline, setting up and taking care of the behind-the-scenes stuff. You might be thinking, “I don’t need a planner, we have family and friends to help with all that!” However, when you hire a planner, you are also helping out your loved ones so that they can enjoy themselves at your wedding.

What else can a wedding planner help me with?

That depends on the planner you hire! Most planners will usually help you cut down on extra or hidden costs. Often times, they have the connections and resources to save their brides money in the long run. Once you decide to hire a planner, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with them as soon as possible. You should also consider meeting with different planners so that you can see who’s personality you like and who’s work you enjoy. Note that most planners offer full service planning and some offer their services separately, so it’s a good idea to ask about that during your consultation. The last month of wedding planning is the most stressful so remember it’s never too late to hire a planner. The cost of peace-of-mind is priceless.

Here are some planners in the Bakersfield area that we highly recommend!

Blu Events

Simply Chic Events

Detailed Touch Events

2. Church / Venue

After you’ve booked with your planner, it’s time to do some venue site visits. Usually, they’ll be able to help you find the perfect venue according to your vision, guest count and budget. Chances are, your planner might have already worked at the venue you are looking into and they’ll be able to offer you some insight.

Lock in Your Date before it’s Too Late

Once you find a venue you love, it’s time to lock in your date. The same goes for your church if you plan on having a religious ceremony. It’s a good idea to choose a month you want to get married in, not so much focus on one date. Be flexible so that if your wedding date is already booked, you won’t have to worry so much about having to find a completely different venue. If you are set on a specific date, you may need to look for another venue that is available on the date that you want. Some venues also offer weekday discounts. Not all venues operate the same though so it’s a good idea to ask about that when choosing your wedding date.

Little Disclaimer

Okay, so you got excited and may have already booked your venue before your wedding planner. Hey, it’s okay. They had your date available! And your venue might have included an on site coordinator, too.
(So you know, a “venue coordinator” is different from a wedding planner. Why? For starters, venue coordinators are in charge of the venue grounds, i.e. stocking up the restroom, venue technicalities, etc. and not so much the behind-the-scenes. [Read #1]).

Local Venues We Love:

The Barn at Ellis Ranch

Petroleum Club of Bakersfield

Gardens at Monji

The Links at Riverlakes Ranch

Stockdale Country Club

3. Photography

Ahh, the photography. This is where we come in and quite possibly, the most important detail of all besides marrying your best friend. Your photographs will be one of the only things you’re left with after the wedding is over. Need we say more? One thing to consider though when looking for your wedding photographer is making sure that you not only love their work but also click with them- no pun intended. Hiring your photographer is one thing you don’t want to put off as they are often booked up to 12-18 months in advance. That’s why it’s important to inquire once you are set on a photographer. Browsing their portfolio helps a ton when narrowing down your options. Most photographers also offer free consultations, so use this as an opportunity to get to know them and making sure it’s a good fit.

Want to see our work? Check out our site here.

4. Cinematography / Videography

Cinematographers and videographers are both quite similar in the fact that both produce videos of your wedding. The difference? Cinematographers are thinking about emotion, different angles, lighting and sound. They’ll usually highlight the main parts of the wedding day and give you a 5-8 minute film. On the other hand, videographers are documenting an entire event as it happens. Like photographers, cinematographers and videographers can book up to a year in advance as well so reach out to them as soon as possible. Here are some of our favorite film makers that we would highly recommend.

Evermoore Films

Sweetheart Films

AP Cinema

5. DJ

The easy-going ones and possibly the easiest to overlook when wedding planning. Some will try and do away without hiring a DJ and it’s no wonder why it’s one of brides’ biggest regrets. Your DJ will play such an important role because they’re the ones that will set the tone for your entire wedding. Booking your DJ early will save you some stress when wedding planning. If you need a bilingual DJ, consider that when planning. If you are looking for someone that only plays a specific type of music, consider that as well. The good thing about DJ’s is that if you’re hiring a professional, they’ll know exactly what to play and when to play it. They’re professionals of sound. A large part of a DJ’s responsibility include reading the room and creating the right vibe. For example, avoiding loud party music during dinner. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite DJ’s in town who we love working with:

Freestyle Entertainment

Trifecta DJ

All Sound Music Entertainment

Wedding vendors are there to make your vision come to life. From florists, to caterers and makeup artists to rental companies and everything in between, your team should consist of vendors you trust to match your vision. They are the unseen hand that keeps the biggest day of your life moving smooth. Rely on their professional insight and everything will go off without a hitch. So, start asking around. Planning your wedding can be stressful but it doesn’t have to be. You’ll rest well knowing you have a dream team of vendors that put you and your needs first. So when you have a vendor you really want to work with, be sure you book them early. You’ll be glad you did. Find the perfect fit, and book those vendors to make this the best celebration of your lives thus far!