Pros and cons of flying over a wedding supplier from your home country
Choosing your wedding suppliers is fundamental to how successful and enjoyable your day will be - no pressure then! But seriously, many do underestimate how important this decision is and how suppliers not only have the biggest impact on how the wedding runs but also how you feel on the day and during the lead-up. This team will be very much part of your life for anywhere up to 2 years of planning and should act as a support to you on your actual wedding day.
We give more guidance on how to pick your suppliers on our YT channel and in our planning membership The Club, where top wedding planner Lucy White hosts supplier guests during live sessions, so you can get a feel for how suppliers work and think.
Photo: Alex Wysocki
Consider a wedding photographer, in Italy there are many talented photographers but fewer than perhaps in the UK or US. If you fall in love with a photographer’s style from your home country or a different country don’t assume that it is going to cost a fortune to have them at your wedding.
Let us tell you why! Higher competition pushes up their skills as they strive to be the best, but keeps prices competitive. A word of advice here, always choose on skill as opposed to price - a cheaper supplier is likely to have a lower price for a reason, whether this be experience, skills learnt etc. And as we explain further down, at an Italian wedding your suppliers will be contending with many additonal factors.
Photo: Divine Day Photography
When it comes to supplier expenses, this absolutely must be discussed and included in a contract ahead of booking. There are different ways a supplier quotes for expenses -
Included in the quote
A flat fee on top of their quote
An open cost. This is when they will confirm their exact costs after securing the booking, so it accounts for changes in flight prices and accommodation availability
Obviously both sides need to be happy with what is on the table and you need to be comfortable with how they are going to charge you for their expenses. Some suppliers keen on branching into destination weddings may charge minimal expenses and some even move to Italy for the season to work multiple weddings. Expenses will still be considered here as Italy is spread out and Tuscany to Puglia or Amalfi clearly still requires travel and a night or two stay.
We love how a non-native supplier may well bring a different style and viewpoint to the look and feel of your wedding. This can add an extra layer to the day’s style or to your photos having someone with a fresh take on an Italian wedding behind the lens.
So, what are the risks?
Flight delays or cancellations can be extremely stressful for the supplier, as well as the wedding party waiting out in Italy for their supplier to turn up. We always recommend a supplier flies out the day prior to reccie the venue, meet you and simply to ensure they are in the country on the morning of the wedding! If your supplier is not a seasoned traveller then organising themselves to fly in, hiring a car, making their way to the venue, which more than likely will be out of a town in the countryside, can be a big deal. Consider this when you question them about their experience.
HMUA: Jess Barca Beauty
A huge consideration when weighing up which supplier to choose is whether they are experienced in Italian weddings. The structure of the day, the heat, the walking, working with Italian-speaking suppliers all need to be part of their comfort zone. Not forgetting that in Italy the lighting is different - from bright sunshine to golden sunset, the light is a huge element of an Italian wedding. And dare we say the rain too - last minute changes to the day’s schedule, reverting to a wet-weather plan, moving from outside in. A supplier must be adaptable in these circumstances and offer insightful advice.
We are not saying only use those who have worked in Italy previously, as everyone needs their first break; only you can decide what experience matters to you. But over anything we have mentioned above, being comfortable and confident with your supplier is paramount. No regrets here thank you!
Our trusted supplier directory is growing, there are so many incredibly talented people waiting to make your wedding dreams an Italian reality. Start your search here today.
