You Said Yes! What to Do Right After an Engagement: Wedding Vendors in Tennessee

A practical guide to help couples navigate the exciting first steps after an engagement.

The holidays are already filled with sparkle and joy and if you just got engaged, there's even more to celebrate! Before diving headfirst into planning mode, take a moment to soak in this special season of excitement! From sharing the big news with loved ones to dreaming about your wedding day, these first few steps after saying "yes" will set the tone for what to do right after a holiday engagement so you can enjoy the moment and start planning with confidence!

1. Venue

   Booking your venue is the first and most important step after getting engaged because it lays the foundation for every other wedding decision. Your venue sets the tone, style, and date for everything else. Popular spots often book 12-18 months in advance. Once you secure your venue, you can confidently move forward with choosing your photographer, caterer, florist, and all other details that bring your vision to life. At Red River Farms, we typically book 8 months to 14 months in advance from our experience over the past 10 years hosting weddings. We have had someone book as soon as 3 months until their wedding day, too! Some couples we've provided tours for have reserved other vendors prior to booking the venue, only to find that their preferred date isn't available. Therefore, it's important to secure the venue first, followed by any other vendors you may require.

   
   

   

   Wedding table setup inside barn at Red River Farms | Photo by Ropera Photography

2. Photographer & Videographer

   Great photographers often commit to only one wedding per weekend, so secure them as soon as your date is official! This should be the very next thing you do after booking a venue is securing your favorite photographer that has the same style that you are looking for! Some of our favorite photographers to work with include Saved by Grace Photography, Simply Meagan Photography, LH Photography, and Lexi Young Photography. All are wedding vendors in Tennessee! If you'd like a full list of recommended photographers, feel free to email us for this list! A few of our favorite videographers are based close to Nashville. They are Still Frame Pictures (amazingly talented might we add!), Scott Film Company, and local to Springfield, TN is Casey's Photography.

   
   

   

   Bride & Groom Entering Reception | Photo by Saved by Grace Photography

3. Planner or Day-of-Coordinator

   If you want help with logistics or design, book a wedding planner early! They can assist with vendor recommendations and help keep you on schedule. Even if you only need a day-of-coordinator, reserve that service several months ahead. This vendor is so important on your wedding day so you and your family are not having to coordinate rehearsals, communicate with vendors, or worry with any logistics the weekend of your wedding as a coordinator would handle all of these things! Did you know? We offer day-of-coordination services too! If you have secured your date with us, ask about this service as we have 10 years of experience with weddings to help make your day go smoothly! Other coordinators that we would recommend include Kelsey Johnson with Calm the Chaos Event Planning, Lacy Harris with NK Coordinating & More or Ashleigh Haney with ALIGN by Ashleigh.

   
   

4. Caterer

   Catering is one of the biggest parts of your guest experience and can greatly impact your overall budget and timeline. Booking early ensures you get your top choice of caterer, plenty of menu options, and enough time for tastings, customizations, and final head counts. Popular caterers often fill up fast, especially during peak wedding seasons, so it's best not to wait! Typically 9-12 months before your wedding date is when catering should be booked. If you're looking for some great wedding vendors in Tennessee, some of our favorite caterers at Red River Farms include Southern Duo Catering, It's A Pear Catering, North Nash Catering, and Perry's Smokin' Pig from White House, TN. All are highly recommended for your wedding or any special event!

   
   

   

   
   

5. Entertainment (DJ)

   A great DJ often books up quickly for the same reasons--limited weekends. If you have a popular one in mind, it is best to setup a meeting with them as soon as possible in order to secure their services. They do more than play music--they set the tone, keep the event flowing, and make sure guests stay engaged on the dance floor. DJ's should always be booked after you have secured your date and venue, typically 8 to 12 months before your wedding. Some of our local favorite DJ's are BJ the DJ from Springfield, TN, and Team B Mobile Entertainment, who serves TN & KY areas.

   
   

6. Florist + Decor

   A decorator, florist, or rental company help bring your vision to life! These special touches help create your wedding atmosphere. You want to be sure to have time to design your look, reserve key items, and coordinate with your venue and other vendors. Once you have set your colors and theme, be sure to secure your decor! One great thing about booking at Red River Farms, is we have in-house decor! No need to search frantically online and on marketplace for decor. We have a growing selection of options so if you are a Red River bride, be sure to ask about our DIY rentals or decor package! We also love working with Jordan Kirby with Southern Grace Events & Design for decor and flowers!

   
   

   

7. Cake Baker

   A cake baker brings your dessert vision to life, creating one of the sweetest parts of your day! Bakers need to be booked about 6 to 8 months before your wedding. A popular trend that we are currently seeing includes a small cake for the couple to cut and then cupcakes for guests to easily enjoy! Cupcakes make it easy for guests to grab and go, and tend to be a little less expensive than a large wedding cake too. Two local bakeries that can help you with your wedding cake needs include L & M Bakery and Carol's Heavenly Bakes. Be sure to check out their pages to inquire about their cakes!

   
   

   

8. Hair + Make-up

   Highly skilled bridal beauty teams often fill their calendars for Saturday dates. Booking in advance gives you plenty of time to schedule trial runs, plan your wedding day timeline, and make adjustments based on your look, season, or bridal party needs. You should typically book your hair and makeup artists about 6 to 8 months before your wedding day. Some of our favorites to work with at Red River Farms include Ashley Rauch for make up, and Leslie Seay for hair or make-up! Checkout the photo below of one of our brides participating in the hair cut trend on her wedding day! She said "I Do" and created a fun "wow" factor for her guests attending the reception with a quick little style change!

   

   Bride's Reaction to her Haircut | Photo by Ropera Photography

9. Officiant

   Many people already know exactly who will officiate their wedding. It is often a pastor or minister from their church, or a family member who can perform the ceremony. However, if you haven't decided yet, finding someone to officiate can become a significant task on your to-do list, as it can be challenging to find someone with the necessary credentials. Tyler, the owner of Red River Farms, became a notary for this very reason! He is now able to officiate weddings for any of our couples. From elopements to full wedding ceremonies, he can handle it all! Below is photographic evidence that he doesn't always wear boots and a Carhartt shirt! He can dress up nicely for your wedding ceremony!

   
   

   

10. Rentals

    Last, but not least, are any rental items you need to have for your wedding day. From tables, chairs, bar top tables, draping, linens, or furniture, rentals are often needed for either decor purposes or to enhance your guests experience at your event. At Red River Farms, we include farmhouse tables, chairs, draping, a greenery wall, bar, and two arbor options for all of our weddings! If you need to add decor or any extra furniture, we have you covered there as well! Just ask about these items when you tour or book with us! We also have worked with Grand Tents & Events for rental needs and they do a great job!

We understand that planning a wedding can be overwhelming. If you're finding the process too much to handle, a wedding checklist can be a great tool to help you stay organized. It keeps you informed about what you need to consider or plan for. While most wedding planners can guide you through the next steps, if you prefer a DIY approach, you can use a straightforward checklist to keep you on track. Feel free to download our free Red River Farms Wedding Planning Checklist here!

We hope this list of wedding vendors in Tennessee helps you find the perfect match of people to work with for your big day!

Take a deep breath, smile, and savor one of the most wonderful moments of your life as you embrace the role of a bride-to-be!