Page 26 - Valley Table - Spring 2024

dates (June, September, and October) sometimes up to a year or more in advance. Those dates are first to go,” notes Christoforo. “Usually if you
are seeking a summer July or August wedding, those dates are a bit easier to book on a shorter time frame.”
LINE UP YOUR VENDORS
When it comes to ensuring
a stress-free walk down
the aisle, the vendors you select to play a part in your wedding day can make all
the difference. “I think a lot
of times our generation is thinking, ‘I’m going to do it all myself,’ and you don’t realize the [strain] it can have on you,” explains Henderson. “Leaning on the experts in the field is a huge help.”
In terms of the hiring process, Christoforo cautions against relying on reviews or enlisting a company merely on the cost of its services, recommending instead that couples take the time to interview potential vendors about their portfolio and process instead. “When couples reach out to vendors, they don’t know what questions to ask or how to approach them, so their first question is always, ‘What is your pricing?’” she explains. “It’s more important for you
to understand the way that vendor works and to interview them—whether it be on the phone, Zoom, or in person—to see if you match. That person’s going to spend a lot of time with you, so you want to make sure that you have a good connection.”
Christoforo also recommends hiring your vendors in a particular order, beginning with your caterer, which typically accounts
for the largest portion of the budget. (Fig & Pig’s Basten suggests that Hudson Valley
couples book a caterer 12–18 months in advance.) Other “essential vendors” (i.e. your photographer, videographer, and DJ or band) should come next, the planner says, followed by designers, like the florist.
ability and willingness to learn new songs to whether
a band “provides continuous live music or pipes music
in on breaks,” she notes. It’s also important to make sure you and your musicians are
on the same page about the soundtrack for the big day. “You are hiring a band that specializes in weddings
and knows how to read the crowd,” explains Prince, who says her company offers 3- to 14-piece ensembles in addition to “production elements” like stages and uplighting. “But we do suggest that you provide
us with a special requests
list and, sometimes more important, a ‘do not play’ list
if there are any artists or songs you don’t want to hear.”
SET THE TONE WITH STATIONERY
Sharing the news of your forthcoming fete isn’t just
a major wedding-planning milestone—it’s also a chance to get your loved ones excited about what they can expect on the big day. “Stationery is a beautiful first impression,” says Henderson, noting that she and Maridou incorporate everything from illustrations of a couple’s venue and florals to vintage postage and wax seals in bespoke paper goods. “It’s one of the first glimpses your guests get into your day.”
As for timing, the pro recommends sending out save-the-dates up to one
year in advance, and mailing invitations six to eight weeks before a final head count is due to your venue. “I know sometimes couples are hesitant to invest in stationery. We often hear, ‘Oh, but it gets thrown out,’ but everything about your day gets thrown out. Guests might actually save your invitation,” says Henderson. “It’s a keepsake for a lot of people.”
24 TheValleyTable | March–May2024
“The reason we suggest you wait for all design vendors until you have catering is because your dining style is going
to impact your floor plan,” explains Christoforo. “Once you have your floor plan, you can start thinking about things like rentals and the florals that are going on the tables.”
BOOK YOUR BAND
Want to kick off your ceremony with an assist from a trendy string quartet or tap
a brass band to help you lure your guests to the dance floor? Start by asking your venue and other trusted vendors for their recommendations, says Jill Prince, who co-owns Bedford Hills-based Hal Prince Music & Entertainment with her brother Jay. Chatting up potential performers helps, too, she says, adding that couples should inquire about everything from a group’s
Pro tip: Hire your vendors in a particular order, starting with your caterer, which typically accounts for the largest portion of the wedding budget.
PHOTOS (TOP TO BOTTOM) BY HERE NORTH; COURTESY OF ELITE WEDDINGS; BY FOREVER PHOTOGRAPHY