How Many Wedding Vendors Do You *Actually* Need?
These are the wedding pros you’ll want to have on your team to make the day beautiful and effortless.
Perhaps the most important part of wedding planning is building your vendor team—this is the group of professionals who’ll make your vision a reality. If you’re just getting started, you’re probably asking yourself the big question: What wedding vendors should I hire, and who will I need to make my nuptials a success? According to internal data, which surveyed 10,474 US couples married in 2025, 13 is the average number of vendors couples hire for their celebrations. That may seem like a lot, but each of these vendors has an important job to do to ensure your day runs smoothly. Keep reading to learn who were the top pros booked in 2025 and who should be on your wedding vendor list.
The Top Wedding Vendors Hired by Couples
Need some inspiration from newlyweds who’ve already been through it all? See what experts made it on other couples’ wedding vendors list and how much they spent on each of them, on average.
1. Wedding dress: 91% of couples hired a vendor for their wedding dress and spent an average of $2,100 on the gown.
2. Venue: 89% of married folks booked a venue for their nuptials and spent an average of $12,900 on the space.
3. Photographer: 88% of couples ensured they had a photographer and spent an average of $3,000 for them to capture their celebrations.
4. Caterer: 85% of marriers thought a caterer was an absolute must and spent an average of $80 per head for the service.
5. Groom’s attire: 84% of the 2025 newlyweds opted for groom’s attire and spent an average of $330 on the ‘fit.
6. Cake: 76% of couples got a cake baker to create their wedding confection and spent an average of $530 on the sweet treat.
7. Hair and makeup: 72% of marriers hired a professional to do their hair and makeup and spent an average of $300 to get glammed up.
8. DJ: 71% of married folks felt that they needed a DJ on their pro team and spent an average of $1,800 on the party starter.
9. Event rentals: 68% of couples hired an event rental company to provide essentials like tables and chairs, and spent an average of $2,000 for the service.
10. Florist: 59% of the 2025 newlyweds wanted a florist to make lush arrangements for their celebrations and spent an average of $2,800 for the blooms and design.
A List of Every Wedding Vendor You Might Need
Below are 21 pros we typically see on a couple's checklist of wedding vendors. That said, this doesn’t mean you have to hire all of the following vendors though—just pick the ones that work best for your celebration and budget.
Planner
A planner should take a top spot on your vendor checklist for the wedding. Why? Not only can a planner help you stay organized and on budget during the prewedding process, they’re absolute pros at keeping things on schedule and handling any snafus that arise in the thick of planning. Whether you choose a full-service planner or a month- or day-of coordinator, hiring a planner is definitely worth the cost. (Psst: Unsure if this pro is right for you? Here are some signs you should hire a wedding planner.)
Venue
From a grand ballroom to a rustic barn, your wedding venue sets the scene for your celebration. Some people may even need two venues, one for the ceremony and one for the reception, so we suggest looking at our guide on choosing a wedding venue to help make your decision.
Caterer
Aside from celebrating your new marriage, guests want to do two things during your reception: eat and drink. Your wedding caterer ensures that the food at your event will be both plentiful and delicious. While some venues include catering in their packages, others don’t, so you’ll need to hire a separate caterer to prep and serve food and beverages. Take note of the essential questions to ask your caterer so you can both be on the same page about their offerings.
Photographer
Whether you’re hosting a huge celebration or doing a simple elopement, your wedding day is one you’ll want to remember. A wedding photographer will creatively capture all of your wedding day memories, so it’s definitely important to hire an experienced professional. Don’t know where to start? Here’s how to choose a wedding photographer you’ll love.
The Perfect Photographer Is Here
Videographer
Curious about the reasons to hire a wedding videographer? Well, after your wedding is over, you’ll likely want to relive the day over and over—and a wedding videographer can make that (sort of) possible. Wedding videographers capture picture, movement and sound to create a film of your wedding day, and allow you to experience the sights and sounds of this special event every time you watch. What’s not to love about that?
DJ
Making a wedding playlist and having your favorite uncle emcee your reception isn’t going to cut it. Instead, we suggest hiring an experienced DJ as one of your vendors for the wedding. They can play your favorite songs, avoid the ones you don’t like, make announcements, supply special lighting and fog machines to bring the vibes, and so much more. Sound like a dream come true? See what questions to ask your DJ before you sign on the dotted line. (BTW: Your DJ might also offer photo booth services, which is a great addition to any reception.)
Live Band
If having live music at your reception is a must, go ahead and hire a wedding band ASAP. There are numerous kinds of live bands too, from five-piece bands that specialize in jazz to cover bands that, say, play all of Fleetwood Mac’s best hits. If you need help narrowing down your decision, see how to choose your wedding band based on expert advice.
Ceremony Musicians
Want to hear live music as you’re walking down the aisle? Then booking an ensemble of musicians for your ceremony is just the right romantic touch. Check out our wedding ceremony music guide to see how you should go about figuring out what songs to choose and picking the right people to hire.
Ceremony Ensembles to Check Out
Attire Designer and Salon
From wedding dresses to tuxedos, wedding party attire and more, there’s a lot of prewedding shopping to do. Couples generally purchase new ensembles for their big day, so you’ll need to start doing research on what wedding look you want. Browse through the dress salons and tux shops in your area, and read online reviews before shopping to ensure you receive the best possible service when making these large purchases. (Psst: Here’s all the wedding fashion advice you need.)
Find the Perfect Wedding Attire
Tailor or Alterations Specialist
Once you've purchased your wedding attire, you’ll need to ensure it fits perfectly. That’s where a tailor or alterations specialist comes in. For those who are wearing a gown for their nuptials, check out our top tips for wedding dress alterations.
Florist
From bouquets to reception centerpieces, your wedding flowers are an essential part of your celebration's decor. And your florist, an essential part of your wedding vendor list, will help bring your desired look and color scheme to life. Eager for someone to beautifully arrange your favorite blooms? Here’s how to find a wedding florist that fits your needs.
Officiant
An officiant is one of the vendors needed for a wedding because without one, you and your partner won’t be able to get married. You’ll first need to decide whether you’re having a religious or secular ceremony, then determine exactly what type of wedding officiant you need so you choose the right person to perform a ceremony that feels personal and appropriate for your celebration.
Hair & Makeup Artist
You’ll definitely want to look and feel your best on your wedding day, so hiring a professional hair stylist and makeup artist to work their magic is the natural choice. Not sure if you want your makeup done by a pro? See why a pro makeup artist is a must. And if you need help figuring out the best hair stylist for you, here’s how to choose one.
Guest and/or Wedding Party Accommodations
Your guests and VIPs will need a place to stay during the wedding weekend. Find the best accommodations available near your wedding location, and reserve a hotel room block to get your loved ones some sweet discounts.
Stationery Designer & Calligrapher
One of the most fun parts of planning a wedding is choosing your stationery. From your save-the-dates to your invitations, an experienced stationery artist can help you select the right paper products and ensure everything is prepared and sent in a timely fashion. You might also want to hire a calligrapher to add special details to your escort cards, decor, menus and much more. If you think this is a vendor you’ll need, see these calligraphy tips from pros.
Cake Baker
A wedding cake isn’t just a delicious treat; it can also be a focal point for your event’s decor. That’s why choosing a wedding cake baker that knows how to make something tasty, on theme and beautiful is important.
Lighting and Decor
Good lighting and decor can make a huge difference when it comes to your wedding’s look and feel. Yes, your flower arrangements are probably quite lovely, but the right lighting and decorations can make everything look truly spectacular and cohesive (not to mention: make your wedding photos even more breathtaking). Curious how decor can level up your celebration? Check out our guide to choosing your wedding decor.
Lighting & Decor Pros You Need
Event Rentals
A rental company provides such items as tables, chairs, dinnerware, decor and more for your event. While some of these items may be available through your caterer or venue, rental companies tend to have more variety to ensure your tablescapes complement your wedding style. (Psst: Don't forget to rent all these items for your wedding.)
Source the Best Wedding Rentals
Transportation
Weddings are logistically complex events, and ensuring that everyone arrives safely and on time can be tricky. That’s where an experienced transportation company comes in. Yes, you’ll certainly feel like a celeb in that stretch limo or party bus, but more importantly, you (and your VIPs) won’t have to worry about how you’re going to travel from your hotel to your wedding and back again. Check out these tips on how to plan your wedding transportation.
Jeweler
Your wedding bands are an important symbol of your marriage—but they should also represent your personal style. A trusted jeweler will help you find the perfect rings for both you and your future spouse.
Travel Agent
You might be wondering why you should use a travel agent, but they’re on our list for a good reason. Not only can this vendor help you plan your honeymoon, but they can also book your hotel room blocks for you. Whether you want someone else to figure out the postwedding itinerary or be in charge of relevant prewedding logistics, this pro has you covered.
Invest in a Great Travel Agent
Additional reporting by Kim Forrest.
