Choosing your wedding vendors in Jacksonville, FL can be one of the most exciting, and overwhelming, parts of wedding planning. With so many options out there, it’s completely natural to feel uncertain about where to begin, especially if this is your first time planning a wedding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Where to Start to Choose your Wedding Vendors
- Green Flags
- Wedding Planners
- Hair & Makeup
- Wedding Rentals
- Marquee Lights/DJ/Live Music
- Florist/Invitations
- Videographer/Content Creation
- Photo Booth/Live Painter
- Wedding Experiences
- Dog Sitter
- Wedding Cake/Catering
- Bartender/Charcuterie
- Mobile Foods
- Officiant/Transportation
- Wedding Venues
WHERE TO START WHEN CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING VENDORS IN JACKSONVILLE FL
The very first step in finding your wedding vendors is to define your budget and your priorities. Knowing what matters most to you will help guide every decision that follows.
When I asked ChatGPT what the typical breakdown for a wedding budget looks like, here’s what it told me:
- Venue, Catering & Rentals: 40–50% of the budget
- Photography & Videography: 10–15% (which, honestly, I think should be higher!)
- Attire (Dress, Suit, Hair & Makeup): 5–10%
- Planner or Coordinator: 5–10% (also feels a little low to me!)
- Florals & Décor: 5–10%
- Entertainment (Band or DJ): 5–10%
- Stationery & Invitations: 2–5%
- Cake & Desserts: 2–5%
- Transportation: 2–3%
- Officiant & Ceremony Costs: 1–2%
- Favors & Gifts: 1–2%
- Miscellaneous Cushion: around 5%
ChatGPT said these numbers came from a mix of industry sources, so take them with a grain of salt. Still, they give you a good starting point to begin thinking about how your wedding budget might take shape.
Once you have a working budget in mind, start exploring what the average rates are in your area. You’ll quickly notice that there are different pricing tiers, high-end, mid-range, and more budget-friendly options, and it’s helpful to understand what you get with each level.
As a Jacksonville wedding photographer, I obviously believe photography should be one of your top priorities. It’s the one thing that will tangibly last long after the wedding day is over.
As we go through this list of the best wedding vendors in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area, I’ll share insights from my 20 years in the wedding industry: what to look for, what truly matters, and how to choose vendors who will help your day run seamlessly.
IMPORTANT GREEN FLAGS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING VENDORS IN JACKSONVILLE FL
These are some basic “green flags” I think are so important to look for in every vendor, especially the ones you’re investing a significant part of your budget in.
A Contract
EVERY SINGLE VENDOR NEEDS TO PROVIDE A CONTRACT! This is absolutely non-negotiable. A contract protects both you and the vendor. It sets clear expectations and ensures that everyone is on the same page. No matter how big or small the service, you should always have a signed agreement in place.
A Consistent Online Presence
In today’s world, this is another non-negotiable. Your vendors should have a professional website, social media presence, and ideally a blog or portfolio where you can see their work over time. This consistency shows experience, professionalism, and reliability.
Reviews — and Lots of Them
Look for reviews in multiple places — Google, The Knot, WeddingWire, Yelp, etc. This is your social proof. The vast majority of their reviews should be glowing, with couples consistently praising their professionalism, reliability, and results.
Prompt Communication
In this day and age, there’s no excuse for slow communication. Professional wedding vendors should respond within 24–48 hours (if not sooner). Quick, clear responses show that they’re organized, respectful of your time, and take their business seriously.
THE BEST WEDDING VENDORS IN JACKSONVILLE FL
I’ll keep this list updated as I continue to work with amazing vendors who go above and beyond for their couples. I’ve always believed that a rising tide lifts all boats, and when your vendor team works together seamlessly, your wedding day truly shines.
Wedding Planners in Jacksonville
Wedding planners and coordinators are in my top 3 most influential wedding vendors that you will choose. The most important thing, you need one. Full stop. You will never regret it! Contact these planners to see what and if they offer “wedding day management” or “day-of coordination”.
Bridal Hair and Makeup Jacksonville Fl
Hair and makeup is the next of my top 3 most influential wedding vendors. Not to be dramatic, but they can make or break your timeline. When you are looking at reviews, look for a vendor that finishes on time. But also, listen to what your hair and makeup vendor suggests, if they think you should start earlier or if they think that another stylist should be added, this is important to your timeline.
Wedding Rentals in Jacksonville
Wedding rentals cover so many details, from tables and chairs to linens, lighting, draping, tents, and even lounges. These pieces help transform your space and tie your entire design together. There are incredible options in every price range, and these are some of my absolute favorites in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area.
Letter Marquee Lights for your Wedding
DJ in Jacksonville
Bands/Live Music
Wedding Florist in Jacksonville
Wedding Invitations
Jacksonville Wedding Videographer
I absolutely love working with videographers! In my experience, my couples get the best results,both on their wedding day and in their final film, when they hire a videographer who specializes in weddings. The best results come from working with small businesses that provide a personal experience, not large companies that assign a random videographer you don’t meet until the wedding day.
These are the companies that meet those standards and consistently deliver an amazing experience for their couples:
Wedding Content Creator Jacksonville Fl
A wedding content creator is a relatively new addition to the wedding industry. They capture behind-the-scenes video on an iPhone, giving you raw footage from your day that you can either edit yourself or have them turn into social media–ready clips.
The style is very documentary and candid, with the creator working quietly in the background to capture those natural, in-the-moment memories that might not make it into your professional photos or video.
Each content creator offers something a little different, so be sure to contact them directly to learn more about their process and what’s included in their packages.
Photo Booth
Live Painter
Wedding Experiences for your Guests
Looking for ways to make your wedding day stand out? These experiences go beyond the traditional celebration, adding personality, fun, and unforgettable moments your guests will talk about long after the day is over.
Jaxon de Ville (Jaguar’s)
Dean’s Oyster Bar (Oyster Shucker)
Florida Beer Burros (Beer Burros)
Dog Sitter
Wedding Cake in Jacksonville
Wedding Catering in Jacksonville
A lot of the time a Jacksonville or St. Augustine venue will offer catering, but, if not, here are some great options.
The Dark Side of the Spoon Tacos
Bartending
Charcuterie
Mobile Foods
This is a fun vendor category that includes mobile food options for your guests, from outstanding food trucks that serve weddings to a bar, coffee and treats.
Coffee Cart
Pizza Truck
Little Pizza Truck of St. Augustine
Cotton Candy Cart
Ice Cream Truck
Mobile Bar
Wedding Officiant
Efficiently Not Boring Ceremonies
Transportation
Jacksonville Wedding Venues
It would be impossible for me to choose my favorite wedding venues in Jacksonville and St. Augustine! Check out these blog posts about just a few on my favorite venues:
YOUR JACKSONVILLE AND ST. AUGUSTINE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Are you still looking for wedding photography? I would love to be your wedding photographer in Northeast Florida. Click the link below to check out my website. I would love to talk to you about being a part of your wedding day!
CHECK OUT THESE RECENT BLOG POSTS:
