The idea of saying “I Do” can be both exhilarating and stressful, so take your time planning the wedding.
“Each couple’s wants and needs are different,” says Lisa Sokolowski of wedding blog A Bride on a Budget, who planned her wedding in eighteen months.
Sure research can seem boring but it’s an essential part of planning your event. How else will you know what’s standard and what’s extra for wedding packages? Plus it can help you weed through vendors who aren’t a fit for your celebration.
Start your research by asking family and friends for recommendations or referrals. For example, your cousin may be able to suggest a few bakeries since she recently planned her own wedding. Maybe a co-worker can recommend the DJ she hired for the company party last year.
Next check out local and national bridal magazines for ideas, inspiration and yes, to find out which vendors and services are available in your area. Read vendor and product reviews online on sites like Yelp and WeddingWire. Be cautious about these reviews too: they’re not always truthful and many are simply bogus.
Don’t forget to check out social media where you can virtually “meet” and interact with vendors and see their work. Stationers often post their latest invitation projects for example and videographers may post teasers from the weddings they’ve shot and edited.
Schedule in-person meetings so you have an adequate amount of time to meet with the vendor. While you might be able to walk into many wedding vendors’ offices, such as dress shops and restaurants, that doesn’t mean your drop-in visit is a good time for them to chat with you about your wedding.
By scheduling a time and date, you’ll ensure you’ll be talking to the right person too, such as the catering manager. Without an appointment, you might not get any of the information you want.
Consultations are important too because you don’t want to book any vendor you haven’t met in person. You need to make sure they’re a match for your personality, style and budget. Even a short in-person meeting will help you determine if you’re making a good hiring decision.
Sokolowski, who hosts the weekly #BridalBabble chat on Twitter, advises couples to research and meet with as many vendors as possible. “You have to know what you’re getting,” she explains.
You need to have a realistic grasp on the information and who the vendors are so you can make an informed decision. For example, you need to know all about each caterer’s package, so you can compare them before you decide which one to book.
Be prepared when meeting with vendors. Their time and yours is valuable so make the most of the meeting by asking lots of questions.
Ask the vendor to review the contract and explain what is and isn’t included. Getting answers to your questions now will help you know what to expect, which means you won’t be surprised later on by changes to your wedding package or hidden fees too.
Be honest with them and explain your budget limitations. Don’t be shy to ask for a deal either.
“Compare prices,” says Sokolowski, who admits it’s not always easy to stick to your budget. “Ask, ‘Can you match that?’”
Get and Stay Organized. Planning a wedding is a big job that needs to be managed. Some brides and grooms swear by a binder or planner; some use a spreadsheet for expenses and others take notes on their smart phones and tablets. Whether you make lists, collect photo samples or rip pages from magazines, figure out how you’re going to keep everything under control and stick with that organizational plan.
Get a Wedding Email Address. Set up a specific email address for wedding correspondence. This will help you keep all your wedding notes, passwords and contracts in one place without interfering with your other emails, personal and work-related. Give this address to all vendors you’re working with and be sure to check this email often.
Create a Separate Bank Account. Open a new “wedding fund” bank account under both your names. Deposit a certain amount of money for the wedding and make deposits and withdrawals as needed. “If you mix it in with everything else, it’s harder to keep track of,” says Sokolowski, who recommends couples figure out which of them will be in charge of the finances. No matter who’s cutting the checks, it’s essential to keep track of how much you have and how much you’ve spent.