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Planning a wedding can be a very stressful task.
For brides who have never been married before, and
even for those who are making it down the aisle a
second time, there are many facets to preparing a
wedding, it's no wonder that brides can feel daunted.
When I first meet with my clients, we sit down and
go over all their thoughts about what a dream wedding
would be for them. I usually bring a list of words,
that I ask the client to look over, and choose which
ones bring to mind their fantasy wedding. Though
this may seem like a silly task, from the words that
are chosen, I can get a feel for the theme or style
that this particular bride is hoping for during her
wedding. That is one of the most important elements
of planning a wedding. Once a theme or style is determined,
it can set in motion the vendors who need to be chosen
to bring this dream to life. It also make the planning
easier when one has something precise in their mind;
all the vendors then know what is being asked of
them, and can cooperate to make that goal a reality.
Another tip is to always compare prices. Even though
you may meet with one vendor and fall in love with
that person's ideas, it is in the client's best interest
to measure that with someone else's thoughts. By
receiving proposals from a few vendors, you can compare
prices, and also see who will give you more for your
money. Some vendors will be very attentive to your
needs, and the level of their devotion to your wedding
will be outlined in their proposal, and during your
initial consultation. When you see a vendor who is
willing to go the extra mile for a client (i.e. staying
later than necessary during the day of, is always
prompt when returning your calls, listens to your
concerns), you know this person will perform to the
best of his/her capabilities when it really counts
on your wedding day.
A piece of advice that should not be ignored is
to get everything in writing. From your vendors,
to your ceremony location, it is in your best interest
to have your wants stated in a contract or agreement.
Some officiants tend to not want to send out a contract,
so I suggest asking him/her to write a letter acknowledging
all the services expected for the wedding day. It
always important to have your desires written to
avoid any confusion with your vendors regarding your
dreams, and it also acts as an insurance policy if
they do not comply with your ideas in the end. Also,
if you are planning on doing something unique (using
unusual flowers, for example), it is most important
that it is written so everyone is clear and understands
what his/her responsibilities may be. A contract
enables both the client and vendor to know exactly
what they both need to do in order to make the day
a success.
When meeting with prospective vendors, one should
ask if he/she is certified or a member of an affiliated
national group. While being in an organization or
having certification does not necessarily make one
vendor better than another, it does show that this
individual took an extra step. Likewise, just because
a vendor does not belong to a reputable organization,
it does not mean that your perfect event will become
a disaster unless you use someone who is certified.
All this truly shows it the level of importance the
business is in that vendor's life, which shows the
level of commitment you may receive.
Do not overlook the importance of tasting the food!
One wouldn't purchase a new car without test-driving
it, so the same should be said in regard to the food
served at a wedding. A caterer may be the nicest
person in the world, but if the food doesn't taste
well, that is what the guests are going to always
remember. Choosing the right caterer for your wedding
is one area that is best not to skimp on, as it is
an incredibly important component of the reception.
Some people may view hiring a wedding coordinator
to be a luxury, but in many cases, enlisting the
assistance of a professional can truly make planning
a wedding much easier. While it is another expense,
if one uses a great coordinator, they can work within
any budget to make the wedding a success. In today's
busy world, engaged couples do not have the time
to do all of the legwork and research needed to plan
their special day. By hiring a coordinator, he/she
already knows of many locations, vendors, and resources
that would best fit into the couples planning, and
therefore saves the couple precious time. Also, a
great coordinator can even help the couple save money
by knowing where to cut costs. A coordinator takes
care of the many intricate little details that occur
when putting on a wedding, to ensure the couple can
relax, and have a wonderful and stress-free day.
By: Laurie Nicoletti of Ravishing Affairs, Inc.
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