Southern Made Rentals

One of our favorite things about this job is that our brides don’t just disappear after wedding day!

We LOVE when past brides reach out with life updates, baby announcements, new homes, anniversaries, or asking us to help with showers, birthday parties, and other special moments.

By the time wedding day is over, you honestly feel like family to us, and getting to continue celebrating life with you means so much.

So please keep the updates, pictures, and messages coming… we truly love hearing from you.

Let’s talk wedding vendor tipping… because it can feel SO overwhelming and stressful for couples

Who do you tip?
How much?
When do you give it?
Do you even HAVE to tip?

First things first… tipping is NEVER mandatory. Your vendors understand weddings are expensive, and tips should never add stress to your planning process.

A good rule of thumb:
✔ If a vendor went above and beyond
✔ Helped make your day easier
✔ Provided exceptional service
✔ Solved problems calmly and professionally
✔ Made you feel cared for and supported

…then a tip or thoughtful thank you is always appreciated!

Some vendors couples commonly tip:
• Hair & makeup artists
• Catering staff & bartenders
• Delivery/setup crews
• DJs & bands
• Coordinators/planners
• Transportation drivers
• Photographers/videographers
• Venue attendants

But every wedding and every budget is different, and your planner or coordinator can absolutely help guide you through those decisions ahead of time so you are not stressing over envelopes on wedding day.

And remember… money is not the only way to show appreciation 🤍

Some of the most meaningful gifts vendors receive are:
✔ Handwritten thank you notes
✔ Coffee gift cards
✔ Snacks/drinks during long wedding days
✔ Small personalized gifts
✔ Leaving reviews online
✔ Referring future couples

Honestly, reviews are HUGE for small wedding businesses. Taking just a few minutes to leave a thoughtful review about your experience can help future couples feel confident booking that vendor and supports small businesses more than most people realize.

At the end of the day, kindness and appreciation go a LONG way in the wedding industry.

One of the BEST wedding planning tips we can give couples… ask your vendors for recommendations

Most wedding planners and coordinators already have a list of trusted vendors we’ve worked with and loved. We see vendors in action constantly, not just their Instagram photos, so we know who communicates well, shows up prepared, works great under pressure, and truly takes care of couples on wedding day.

But here’s the important part… make sure you’re asking the RIGHT vendor for the RIGHT recommendations 👀

For example:
✔ Ask your planner/coordinator for overall vendor recommendations
✔ Ask photographers who they love working with for hair/makeup or DJs
✔ Ask DJs which venues flow the best for receptions
✔ Ask florists about venues with the best setup access or lighting
✔ Ask venues which caterers are easiest to work with in their space

Every vendor sees a different part of wedding day, and those insights can save you so much stress during planning.

And don’t be afraid to ask! Most of us are MORE than happy to share recommendations and help point you in the right direction

At Southern Made Rentals, we keep a running list of vendors we love working with and are always happy to help our couples find a team that fits their vision, personality, and budget.

One thing we always tell our couples… have a rain plan. Then have a backup for the backup ☔

Weddings are full of moving parts, and weather is the one thing none of us can control. Having a solid Plan A, Plan B, and even Plan C can save SO much stress, time, and last-minute decision making on wedding day.

The best part? When the plans are already made ahead of time, nobody is scrambling, panicking, or trying to make major decisions while getting ready. Everyone already knows the plan, vendors can move quickly, and your day keeps flowing smoothly no matter what happens.

Some things we help couples think through:
✔ Ceremony location backups
✔ Reception layout adjustments
✔ Vendor setup timing changes
✔ Guest flow and transportation
✔ Decor and floral transitions
✔ Indoor vs outdoor photo options
✔ Weather timing and contingency plans

A good backup plan doesn’t mean expecting the worst, it means protecting your peace on one of the biggest days of your life!

Changing your name after marriage sounds simple… until you realize it feels like approximately 10,000 tiny steps later 😂

Between Social Security, your driver’s license, passport, bank accounts, insurance, credit cards, work records, and ALL the random accounts you forgot existed, it can get overwhelming fast.

So we put together a Name Change Guide for our brides to help make the process easier and keep everything organized!

Inside the guide:
✔ Step-by-step order of what to update first
✔ Social Security & driver’s license instructions
✔ Passport update info
✔ Banking & insurance checklist
✔ Personal accounts checklist
✔ Helpful tips and reminders to save time

Comment “NAME CHANGE” below and we’ll send you the guide!

Your wedding photos last forever, so don’t forget the moments that matter most 🤍

One thing we always recommend to our couples is creating a “must-have” photo checklist before wedding day. Between the excitement, timeline, and fast pace of the day, it’s easy to forget special shots you really wanted.

Some of the biggest moments couples forget to ask for:
✔ Dress details and flatlays
✔ Parent first looks and reactions
✔ Bridal party getting ready moments
✔ Groom and groomsmen candid shots
✔ Reception room details before guests enter
✔ Family groupings after the ceremony
✔ Private couple portraits inside the venue
✔ Final dance and send-off photos

We put together a Wedding Photo Must-Haves Checklist to help get you started and make planning easier!

Comment “PHOTO LIST” below and we’ll send you the printable checklist

Planning venue tours soon? Save this checklist before you go! 🤍

One of the biggest mistakes couples make is forgetting to ask the important reception questions during venue visits. It’s easy to fall in love with a space, but the little details can make a huge difference when it comes to setup, vendors, guest flow, and your overall wedding day experience.

Here are a few MUST-ASK questions for reception venues:

✔ What time can vendors access the venue?
✔ Is there a separate cocktail hour space?
✔ How many guests comfortably fit with a dance floor?
✔ What tables, chairs, and linens are included?
✔ Are there decor restrictions?
✔ Are candles, sparklers, or bubbles allowed?
✔ Who handles cleanup at the end of the night?
✔ What items have to be removed the same night?
✔ What is NOT included that couples commonly assume is included?
✔ What issues do couples run into most often at this venue?

And don’t forget to ask about:
• Vendor loading areas
• DJ/band setup locations
• Parking and ADA accessibility
• Bridal suites and private spaces
• Setup and breakdown timing
• Overnight vehicle policies

These questions can save you SO much stress later during planning!

If you want the FULL printable venue walkthrough checklist, comment “CHECKLIST” below and we’ll send it over!

Literally perfection! Working in the wedding and event industry you meet all types of vendors. I have made some pretty great friends along the way. Decor on a Dime - Event Rentals will always be one of our favorites. Just look at these arches! I know I can always depend on her to have the inventory that we don’t carry!

✨Bourbon Bloom✨

Ready to make a grand entrance at your wedding. This beautiful split arch will definitely be the WOW factor of your big day❤️

We have already began booking her so be sure to reach out for your upcoming wedding dates! It’s never too early!

What a fun baby shower theme! We loved creating this!!!

Excited for another busy weekend! So thankful for good weather lately with all the outside weddings and events!