One bride's top 3 priorities for vendors

Since I can't speak for all brides (can anyone?) I'll just speak for myself...

Being a DIY bride, my first priority regarding vendors was involving friends (who I dubbed "friendors").

Our photographer is a photojournalist who had just started her own company. The woman who made my corset is a friend who has been making them semi-professionally for years. The woman who made the rest of my dress works on costuming for television and film. One of my bridesmaids did my makeup, and I styled my own hair. A hairstylist friend cut and colored both my and my husband's hair. They all offered us tremendous discounts on their services, for which we are eternally grateful.

Our second priority for vendors was their being local.

For example, I went to a nail salon a couple blocks from my house on the morning of our wedding, since I have only gotten acrylics put on a few times in my life. We didn't know the caterer personally before our wedding but she is a friend-of-a-friend and a local. We purchased our (sterling silver rather than gold) wedding rings at a jewelry store owned and operated by a local celebrity I've long admired.

The venue (a local nature center) was also new to us, but is located near my alma mater. We became members as part of our rental agreement, and enjoy visiting whenever possible. We chose that venue because it's nearby, affordable and a place we can revisit through the years while cherishing the memories of our special day there.

Our third priority for vendors was convenience.

We rented my husband's tux and the groomsmen's vests/ties from Men's Warehouse. The bridesmaids happened to agree on a dress from David's Bridal. The officiant (also a friend) purchased a saree online. Using those vendors made things much easier for our wedding party.