Finding an affordable wedding photography package isn't easy. Every bride wants the best for her wedding, but the reality is that not every bride can afford the best. Many couples have limited budgets with which to work and all too often, they find themselves having to cut corners to avoid over-spending. The first aspect of a wedding that is slashed for costs is the professional wedding photographer. The reason for this is that wedding photography prices are anything but standardized. Depending on the photographer you select, the format and style of photography and the length of the celebration, the base rate can fluctuate wildly. Added to this is the fact that there are almost limitless options in the wedding photography package. The more extras you add, the higher the price. Many who are seeking budget wedding photography decide to spend their money on hiring a better photographer to do less work. Rather than selecting a lower priced photographer and ordering a huge photo package, they go with the photographer that they most trust and order a smaller package. Some couples even forgo the traditional wedding photography package altogether and simply buy the negatives or original digital images from the photographer. These couples then use their own technological savvy to create personalized albums and reprints that are meaningful to them. Some professional wedding photographers maintain a traditionalist view. They feel that as the expert, the wedding photographer is the only one truly suited to put together the wedding album. This argument does have some merit. The photographer is the only one who knows what he or she was trying to convey in each shot. Additionally, the photographer works closely with trusted contacts at the developing lab and is able to judge when photos return with imperfections. He or she is familiar with color balance and stylistic concerns and is therefore quite adept at placing the photos within the album to create a pleasing whole. On the other hand, scrap booking and other DIY projects have become extremely common option to a traditional wedding photography package. Today's couples are generally quite adept at working with photos, doing retouches and fixing color problems on their home computers. For these couples, their wedding album is just another fun home project. Many couples opt for the best of both worlds. These couples purchase a basic wedding photography package that includes a small album and a few reprints. They also purchase the original media and create a personalized album as well. They may do reprints and reorders themselves, or they may order these items from their photographer, depending on how much time and money they have. This way, the couple receives a classic wedding album to show their children and grandchildren, as well as the ability to personalize and scrapbook to their hearts' content. Whatever your feelings on wedding photography packages, you are certain to find a photographer who will meet your needs. The wedding photography market is changing rapidly and photographers are adapting to the times. Perhaps you want a traditional large wedding photography package that includes an album full of traditional posed photos. Maybe you want to purchase nothing but the photographer's time and the raw media. Or perhaps you want something in between, a small photo package that also includes the original media. The choice is yours. It is your wedding and you deserve a photographer that will work with the choices that you make.
by: Ellen Gentry
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wedding Budget: Tips To Help You Cut Wedding Costs
Although it's important that the wedding be beautiful, you don't need to spend outrageous amounts of money to make it so. Drawing up a budget and allocating reasonable amounts to each wedding category can go a long way in keeping expenses in-line and saving money in the process. To help you cut some of these bridal costs here are some valuable wedding budget tips.
- Choose to have a morning or early afternoon wedding. It's less expensive since it costs less in food and clothing, since most weddings held at these times are more informal.
- Get married during the week as opposed to a weekend. Saturday is the most popular day for a wedding and usually costs the most.
- It's usually less expensive to hold a wedding and reception at the same site, such as in a hotel, club or community hall.
- Opt for a more casual wedding style that reflects a fun theme or hobby. This will often cost less than a formal wedding, especially in terms of reception location, food, clothing and flowers.
- If another wedding is being held within a few hours of yours in the same location, perhaps you may be able to share some of the costs of flowers and decorations.
- Keep an eye out for sales on items that you might need for your wedding, such as decorations and favors.
- Holiday weddings are more expensive because you are competing for catering services, wedding and reception sites, D.J.'s, limousines, photographers and more. During holidays, these type of services tend to raise their prices, especially at Christmas.
- Some churches have their own wedding coordinators who often have a lower fee than an outside wedding consultant.
- Get estimates from several suppliers for your cake, flowers, music, reception site, etc. Then take the time to sit down and compare what you are getting for the prices quoted. Examine quality,quantity, price and service. When you are satisfied with your choice, then call and book them. Don't make hasty or spur-of-the-moment decisions which can end up costing a pretty penny, when it didn't need to.
- As you receive and open gifts, immediately mark on the card who the gift is from and exactly what it was. Should the gift be damaged in any way, you can easily find out where the gift giver purchased the gift and have it exchanged with a new one. Also, by keeping the names related to the gift in this way, it will be much easier to write your thank-you notes.
- Order extra envelopes when ordering your invitations. It is inevitable that you will make some addressing mistakes.
- Before signing a contract with a photographer, be sure you will receive all the proofs from them. Some photographers keep the proofs and the only way you can get any pictures is by ordering them through the photographer at inflated prices.
- Order a simple 2 or 3 tiered cake (usually the 2 bottom pieces are made from Styrofoam). Then order a large plain slab cake to cut up and serve to your guests. A tradition is to take the top part of your cake home and freeze it, then eat it on your first anniversary.
© 2000, by Rose Smith
Want to Plan The Perfect Wedding? Learn the Six Ps
Is your head spinning? If you're planning a wedding, it probably is. Many brides find themselves overwhelmed by all the details, especially in the early stages of preparation. That's why I've compiled the Six Ps of Wedding Planning - these tips will help you deal with the details and reduce your pre-wedding stress:
1. Price. Regardless of who is picking up the tab, you need to know and adhere to the budget. Before booking the hall, ordering invitations, or spending any money at all, you should compile a list of what each item will cost and make sure it fits within your budget. Good research is the key to planning a successful, affordable wedding.
2. Practical. Being on a budget requires the bride and groom to make sensible choices. For example, splurging on a designer wedding gown may mean sacrificing something else down the line. That leads into our next P...
3. Prioritize. Your wedding preparations start with the proposal and end with the honeymoon. It's everything in between that can be hair-raising for you and your family! There are literally hundreds of things to do, order, book, arrange, and buy. I've prepared a special checklist of wedding tasks that will help you get organized and prevent last minute panics. Request your free copy by sending an email to info@yourethebride.com with the words "Countdown article" in the subject line.
4. Pleasant. Sometimes this is the toughest of the Six Ps. When you feel the tension mounting, take time out for yourself. You don't want your wedding to be remembered as an ordeal so try to keep a positive outlook.
5. Parents. Whenever possible let parents and siblings assist with the preparations. You'll need plenty of helpers and they'll appreciate being involved.
6. Protocol. Wedding etiquette has become more complex over the years. There are several books available on the subject such as Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette. But one great free resource is an article entitled "Wedding Etiquette Guidelines." It deals with touchy issues like who pays for what, who do you tip, how do you word the invitations, and much more.
Copyright (c) 2003 by Tracie Morris
Tracie Morris has been a wedding consultant since 1999, certified since 2002. Since then, she's become known as the Bride Guru.
1. Price. Regardless of who is picking up the tab, you need to know and adhere to the budget. Before booking the hall, ordering invitations, or spending any money at all, you should compile a list of what each item will cost and make sure it fits within your budget. Good research is the key to planning a successful, affordable wedding.
2. Practical. Being on a budget requires the bride and groom to make sensible choices. For example, splurging on a designer wedding gown may mean sacrificing something else down the line. That leads into our next P...
3. Prioritize. Your wedding preparations start with the proposal and end with the honeymoon. It's everything in between that can be hair-raising for you and your family! There are literally hundreds of things to do, order, book, arrange, and buy. I've prepared a special checklist of wedding tasks that will help you get organized and prevent last minute panics. Request your free copy by sending an email to info@yourethebride.com with the words "Countdown article" in the subject line.
4. Pleasant. Sometimes this is the toughest of the Six Ps. When you feel the tension mounting, take time out for yourself. You don't want your wedding to be remembered as an ordeal so try to keep a positive outlook.
5. Parents. Whenever possible let parents and siblings assist with the preparations. You'll need plenty of helpers and they'll appreciate being involved.
6. Protocol. Wedding etiquette has become more complex over the years. There are several books available on the subject such as Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette. But one great free resource is an article entitled "Wedding Etiquette Guidelines." It deals with touchy issues like who pays for what, who do you tip, how do you word the invitations, and much more.
Copyright (c) 2003 by Tracie Morris
Tracie Morris has been a wedding consultant since 1999, certified since 2002. Since then, she's become known as the Bride Guru.
Wedding Planning on the Web
Planning a wedding? Whether you're a wedding planning pro or a do-it-yourself bride, I know one thing you don't: you aren't using the web enough. The web has become the dominant way to shop for electronics, travel, cars, housing, even education. But you can just as easily use the web to find caterers, event halls, dressmakers, DJs, photographers, videographers--even a wedding planner if you decide to take a break from doing it all yourself.
Here's how the web helps you plan a wedding:
* Local search. No, you don't have to sort through vendors from here to Timbuktu. Local search technology now makes finding someone downtown as easy as finding someone anywhere. If you use Google, you only have to enter a place name along with your keyword to get a list of local businesses. Try "wedding planner fargo" (without the quotes) and see for yourself.
* Real people. The people you are buying from online aren't "virtual." They're as real as the people you'd meet in person. In fact, especially with local business, the website is just a first contact. You can always call them up or arrange to meet in person.
* Dedicated wedding information websites. There are now websites solely devoted not just to planning a wedding, but to catering, wedding cakes, even dying shoes for weddings. These same websites often have directories of wedding vendors arranged by location.
* Message boards and customer reviews. You wouldn't buy a book on Amazon without reading a review a customer had left. Now you don't have to buy decorations that way, either.
Web Wedding Planning Alternatives
The web has a lot of advantages over most other ways of discovering and evaluating wedding vendors. Just look at what your other options are:
* Recommendations from friends and colleagues. How much do your friends and colleagues really know about wedding planning? Very often, one person's idea of wedding elegance is any sane person's idea of bad, bad taste. Just look at anyone's wedding pictures. You can't trust this decision to your friends. This is your big day. It deserves a little research.
* Bridal fairs. If the vendors at bridal fairs were so great, why would they be trawling for business? Do you want an in-demand wedding vendor, or one who has to set up a booth and hand out free samples?
* Yellow pages. I remember the time my mother used the Yellow Pages to find a contractor to install some new doors. During the holiday season, the draft would blow out the candles in the window if they weren't electric. Anyone can get in the yellow pages--and believe me, anyone does.
Web Wedding Planning Advantages
* Selection. No offline source will ever have as many options, whether it's songs for the wedding reception or fabrics for the gowns.
* Ready information. As soon as you see an option you'd like to consider, you can find out all you'd ever like to know as easily as copying and pasting into Google.
* It's All in Writing. By their very nature, websites put a lot of information in writing. The written policies regarding shipping, warranties (if any), returns, and service will almost always be easy to access. (Hint: look for links to policies at the bottom of each web page.) The fact that everything is written down gives the vendor much less wiggle room to change the terms of the deal. Almost as good as the paper trail is the photograph trail--at least when it comes to merchandise. Save any relevant images along with the text.
* Better Business Bureau's Convenient BBBOnline. On the web, it's easy to check for Better Business Bureau membership. The site should have the BBBOnline logo displayed prominently on the order page. Click on the logo to be taken to the BBB.org profile for that business. The BBB page should say that business is a member in good standing. With the BBBOnline, the Bureau's ecommerce program, you can dispute a sale without having to go to the local Bureau where the store is headquartered.
In short, the web makes it much easier to get a perfect wedding.
About the author: Joel Walsh is a freelance writer.
Here's how the web helps you plan a wedding:
* Local search. No, you don't have to sort through vendors from here to Timbuktu. Local search technology now makes finding someone downtown as easy as finding someone anywhere. If you use Google, you only have to enter a place name along with your keyword to get a list of local businesses. Try "wedding planner fargo" (without the quotes) and see for yourself.
* Real people. The people you are buying from online aren't "virtual." They're as real as the people you'd meet in person. In fact, especially with local business, the website is just a first contact. You can always call them up or arrange to meet in person.
* Dedicated wedding information websites. There are now websites solely devoted not just to planning a wedding, but to catering, wedding cakes, even dying shoes for weddings. These same websites often have directories of wedding vendors arranged by location.
* Message boards and customer reviews. You wouldn't buy a book on Amazon without reading a review a customer had left. Now you don't have to buy decorations that way, either.
Web Wedding Planning Alternatives
The web has a lot of advantages over most other ways of discovering and evaluating wedding vendors. Just look at what your other options are:
* Recommendations from friends and colleagues. How much do your friends and colleagues really know about wedding planning? Very often, one person's idea of wedding elegance is any sane person's idea of bad, bad taste. Just look at anyone's wedding pictures. You can't trust this decision to your friends. This is your big day. It deserves a little research.
* Bridal fairs. If the vendors at bridal fairs were so great, why would they be trawling for business? Do you want an in-demand wedding vendor, or one who has to set up a booth and hand out free samples?
* Yellow pages. I remember the time my mother used the Yellow Pages to find a contractor to install some new doors. During the holiday season, the draft would blow out the candles in the window if they weren't electric. Anyone can get in the yellow pages--and believe me, anyone does.
Web Wedding Planning Advantages
* Selection. No offline source will ever have as many options, whether it's songs for the wedding reception or fabrics for the gowns.
* Ready information. As soon as you see an option you'd like to consider, you can find out all you'd ever like to know as easily as copying and pasting into Google.
* It's All in Writing. By their very nature, websites put a lot of information in writing. The written policies regarding shipping, warranties (if any), returns, and service will almost always be easy to access. (Hint: look for links to policies at the bottom of each web page.) The fact that everything is written down gives the vendor much less wiggle room to change the terms of the deal. Almost as good as the paper trail is the photograph trail--at least when it comes to merchandise. Save any relevant images along with the text.
* Better Business Bureau's Convenient BBBOnline. On the web, it's easy to check for Better Business Bureau membership. The site should have the BBBOnline logo displayed prominently on the order page. Click on the logo to be taken to the BBB.org profile for that business. The BBB page should say that business is a member in good standing. With the BBBOnline, the Bureau's ecommerce program, you can dispute a sale without having to go to the local Bureau where the store is headquartered.
In short, the web makes it much easier to get a perfect wedding.
About the author: Joel Walsh is a freelance writer.
5 Ways To Avoid Wedding Planning Woes
You've been planning your wedding for months. You've met with vendors, visited locations, made some decisions, and feel that your wedding plans are finally coming together. How do you know that the people and services you are looking at booking are reputable and will actually provide what's been promised? Here are 5 things to watch out for when dealing with the wedding industry.
1. Check On Your Vendor Through The Wedding AssociationsSome vendors appear to be oblivious to what you desire. You may end up with the wrong flowers or be short staffed at your dinner reception - even though you specified how many guests will be attending. To avoid mix-ups check on your choice of vendor with the Association of Bridal Consultants, the Leading Caterers of America and the American Disc Jockey Association before signing any contracts. If the wedding professional you have chosen is not a member of any of these associations, you should definitely get some reference names and numbers of previous clients and call to see if they were satisfied with the service before booking.
2. Don't Rely On Another Wedding Professional's RecommendationIt's quite common to ask your wedding planner or some other industry professional for recommendations on services that you'll need. For example, you may ask the reception manager at the hotel to recommend a cake decorator or a florist - and they will be more than happy to provide you with a list of vendors. However, the problem with this is that more often than not, these referrals are based on kickbacks.The fact is, many vendors pay a fee to be on the "preferred" list for various location venues. You need to be aware that the caterer, photographer, or whoever the location manager is recommending has most likely paid an annual fee or commission percentage to be put on the list. Unfortunately, being "on the list" does not ensure that you will get good service. Once again, you need to get personal references and do your homework on any businesses recommended by other wedding industry vendors.
3. Anything That Has The Word "Wedding" Attached To It Will Cost You 20% to 30% MoreThis is important to note - once the word "wedding" is spoken out loud, the cost of any service immediately jumps. Take the time to make a few phone calls with each wedding service you are looking at. First get a price based on a wedding event, then have someone else call a day or two later to get a price based on just a party. You will probably be surprised at the difference in quotes. You could then show up at the vendor's place of business and negotiate the lower "party" price for your wedding.
4. Are You Paying For A Slice of Cake - Or A Thin Sheet Of Paper?Quotes for wedding cakes can range all over the place. Obviously, the more elaborate the cake, the higher the cost to make it and you are usually charged "by the slice." The problem is - how large is a slice? Slice fees can range anywhere from 75 cents to $20 each, yet that $20 piece of cake could be paper thin. When ordering your wedding cake, make sure that the "slice size" is specified in your contract.This brings up another question. What if you're getting a friend or family member to make your cake? That should eliminate the "per slice" fee, should it? Not so. The reception location will usually charge you a serving fee based on the number of slices cut and served. Once again, make sure you check up on all these extra details so you aren't surprised with additional charges.
5. All The Little Details Add Up To Big ExpensesYou have to be on the ball when booking any wedding services. Ask about every little detail, particularly what is... and is not... included within the services that you are looking at booking. For instance, at your chosen reception venue find out if all the tablecloths, cutlery, glasses and napkins are included within the price quoted or are these extra? Let's say you've rented chair back covers. Did you know that there's a good chance that you will be charged an additional fee to actually have them ironed and placed on the chairs? Another example: the staff will set the tables, but you may get dinged a service fee for the staff to place your centerpieces on each table as well. Most couples realize the importance of looking over their contracts with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything that has been agreed upon is listed within the contract. However, how many of us actually think to look for anything not included? It's human nature to make common sense assumptions - you're paying the rental fee for cloth napkins, therefore it's assumed they will be nicely folded at each place setting. Will they? Or do you need to pay extra for a "folding fee?" Be diligent in your research and take the time to get answers to clarify what things may not have been included - and therefore not mentioned by the vendor. It's the only way to ensure that your wedding celebration doesn't become a frustrating "surprise" event that unexpectedly blows your wedding budget sky-high.
by Rose Smith, © 2007
1. Check On Your Vendor Through The Wedding AssociationsSome vendors appear to be oblivious to what you desire. You may end up with the wrong flowers or be short staffed at your dinner reception - even though you specified how many guests will be attending. To avoid mix-ups check on your choice of vendor with the Association of Bridal Consultants, the Leading Caterers of America and the American Disc Jockey Association before signing any contracts. If the wedding professional you have chosen is not a member of any of these associations, you should definitely get some reference names and numbers of previous clients and call to see if they were satisfied with the service before booking.
2. Don't Rely On Another Wedding Professional's RecommendationIt's quite common to ask your wedding planner or some other industry professional for recommendations on services that you'll need. For example, you may ask the reception manager at the hotel to recommend a cake decorator or a florist - and they will be more than happy to provide you with a list of vendors. However, the problem with this is that more often than not, these referrals are based on kickbacks.The fact is, many vendors pay a fee to be on the "preferred" list for various location venues. You need to be aware that the caterer, photographer, or whoever the location manager is recommending has most likely paid an annual fee or commission percentage to be put on the list. Unfortunately, being "on the list" does not ensure that you will get good service. Once again, you need to get personal references and do your homework on any businesses recommended by other wedding industry vendors.
3. Anything That Has The Word "Wedding" Attached To It Will Cost You 20% to 30% MoreThis is important to note - once the word "wedding" is spoken out loud, the cost of any service immediately jumps. Take the time to make a few phone calls with each wedding service you are looking at. First get a price based on a wedding event, then have someone else call a day or two later to get a price based on just a party. You will probably be surprised at the difference in quotes. You could then show up at the vendor's place of business and negotiate the lower "party" price for your wedding.
4. Are You Paying For A Slice of Cake - Or A Thin Sheet Of Paper?Quotes for wedding cakes can range all over the place. Obviously, the more elaborate the cake, the higher the cost to make it and you are usually charged "by the slice." The problem is - how large is a slice? Slice fees can range anywhere from 75 cents to $20 each, yet that $20 piece of cake could be paper thin. When ordering your wedding cake, make sure that the "slice size" is specified in your contract.This brings up another question. What if you're getting a friend or family member to make your cake? That should eliminate the "per slice" fee, should it? Not so. The reception location will usually charge you a serving fee based on the number of slices cut and served. Once again, make sure you check up on all these extra details so you aren't surprised with additional charges.
5. All The Little Details Add Up To Big ExpensesYou have to be on the ball when booking any wedding services. Ask about every little detail, particularly what is... and is not... included within the services that you are looking at booking. For instance, at your chosen reception venue find out if all the tablecloths, cutlery, glasses and napkins are included within the price quoted or are these extra? Let's say you've rented chair back covers. Did you know that there's a good chance that you will be charged an additional fee to actually have them ironed and placed on the chairs? Another example: the staff will set the tables, but you may get dinged a service fee for the staff to place your centerpieces on each table as well. Most couples realize the importance of looking over their contracts with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything that has been agreed upon is listed within the contract. However, how many of us actually think to look for anything not included? It's human nature to make common sense assumptions - you're paying the rental fee for cloth napkins, therefore it's assumed they will be nicely folded at each place setting. Will they? Or do you need to pay extra for a "folding fee?" Be diligent in your research and take the time to get answers to clarify what things may not have been included - and therefore not mentioned by the vendor. It's the only way to ensure that your wedding celebration doesn't become a frustrating "surprise" event that unexpectedly blows your wedding budget sky-high.
by Rose Smith, © 2007
10 Tips To Help Keep Your Wedding Plans Under Control
Weddings are expensive affairs as newly engaged couples quickly find out. Searching for ways to cut costs is a high priority for those on a small or fixed budget. Here are a few suggestions on how you can reduce your wedding expenses and stay on top of things as you work out your wedding plans.
1. The farther away you set your wedding date the more chances you have of spotting some really good deals and taking advantage of sales. A wedding that needs to be planned in less than 3 or 4 months will be rushed… and rushed often equates to more money being spent.
2. Choose a month, day, and time of day that will take advantage of lower service fees. The wedding season is from roughly from May until October. This is when wedding related services not only cost the most, but you will have a harder time booking the services you need. Weekends are the most popular choice, so consider having your wedding on a weekday instead. Evening weddings are more expensive than ones held in the morning or early afternoon.
3. Put a set amount of money aside every paycheck into a “wedding fund”. It’s easier to save a little bit at a time to cover expenses than to try to come up with large lump sums to pay your wedding vendors at the last moment.
4. Always get at least 3 quotes per service that you are inquiring about. Prices can fluctuate wildly between vendors, so it pays to shop around.
5. Negotiate for lower prices or to have the vendor add extras at no additional cost. You may be pleasantly surprised at some of the unexpected bargains that you could come across. Besides, if you don’t ask you’ll never know what you could have had for free.
6. Be well prepared with a list of questions for each wedding professional that you speak with. By doing so, you will show the person that you are well aware of how the industry works and that you will not be easily taken advantage of. It also gives you a good basis to compare services of different companies to find one that will provide you with everything you require and charge a fare price.
7. After you have made a decision on each of your vendors and have signed contracts with them, be sure to call and confirm your reservation and service. Keep in touch as your wedding date draws nearer to be sure they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. It’s unfortunate, but occasionally a business may suddenly close down and the owner disappears. Not only will you loose your deposit, but you’ll need to scramble to find a replacement quickly. If you keep in touch, you may get some warning signs that this person may not be in business much longer, so you can at least try to retrieve your deposit.
8. Keep records of all conversations, appointments, phone calls, contracts discussed and signed, and receipts. This is your proof in case the vendor doesn’t provide you with all the services you both agreed upon. In this case, you would be well within your rights to demand a partial refund. By the same token, some vendors may try to scam extra money out of you by insisting that you owe more than agreed upon. With a copy of your signed contract on hand, plus receipts for any deposits you’ve made to them, you’ll have proof of the balance that you really owe.
9. Never sign a contract until all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction. If you are having trouble getting answers out of a vendor, move on. You don’t need that hassle. If they’re being difficult now, imagine what they’ll be like as your wedding date draws closer! Be sure to keep notes on everything discussed and make sure that it is all covered in writing on the contract.
10. Do not sign a contract if you feel the vendor is pressuring you. Take the time to sit back and very carefully read through the document. Compare it to the notes that you made during the initial interview with them. Remember, this is a legally binding document that you will be signing, so make sure it’s right before add your signature.
About The Author:
(c) 2007 Rose Smith.
1. The farther away you set your wedding date the more chances you have of spotting some really good deals and taking advantage of sales. A wedding that needs to be planned in less than 3 or 4 months will be rushed… and rushed often equates to more money being spent.
2. Choose a month, day, and time of day that will take advantage of lower service fees. The wedding season is from roughly from May until October. This is when wedding related services not only cost the most, but you will have a harder time booking the services you need. Weekends are the most popular choice, so consider having your wedding on a weekday instead. Evening weddings are more expensive than ones held in the morning or early afternoon.
3. Put a set amount of money aside every paycheck into a “wedding fund”. It’s easier to save a little bit at a time to cover expenses than to try to come up with large lump sums to pay your wedding vendors at the last moment.
4. Always get at least 3 quotes per service that you are inquiring about. Prices can fluctuate wildly between vendors, so it pays to shop around.
5. Negotiate for lower prices or to have the vendor add extras at no additional cost. You may be pleasantly surprised at some of the unexpected bargains that you could come across. Besides, if you don’t ask you’ll never know what you could have had for free.
6. Be well prepared with a list of questions for each wedding professional that you speak with. By doing so, you will show the person that you are well aware of how the industry works and that you will not be easily taken advantage of. It also gives you a good basis to compare services of different companies to find one that will provide you with everything you require and charge a fare price.
7. After you have made a decision on each of your vendors and have signed contracts with them, be sure to call and confirm your reservation and service. Keep in touch as your wedding date draws nearer to be sure they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. It’s unfortunate, but occasionally a business may suddenly close down and the owner disappears. Not only will you loose your deposit, but you’ll need to scramble to find a replacement quickly. If you keep in touch, you may get some warning signs that this person may not be in business much longer, so you can at least try to retrieve your deposit.
8. Keep records of all conversations, appointments, phone calls, contracts discussed and signed, and receipts. This is your proof in case the vendor doesn’t provide you with all the services you both agreed upon. In this case, you would be well within your rights to demand a partial refund. By the same token, some vendors may try to scam extra money out of you by insisting that you owe more than agreed upon. With a copy of your signed contract on hand, plus receipts for any deposits you’ve made to them, you’ll have proof of the balance that you really owe.
9. Never sign a contract until all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction. If you are having trouble getting answers out of a vendor, move on. You don’t need that hassle. If they’re being difficult now, imagine what they’ll be like as your wedding date draws closer! Be sure to keep notes on everything discussed and make sure that it is all covered in writing on the contract.
10. Do not sign a contract if you feel the vendor is pressuring you. Take the time to sit back and very carefully read through the document. Compare it to the notes that you made during the initial interview with them. Remember, this is a legally binding document that you will be signing, so make sure it’s right before add your signature.
About The Author:
(c) 2007 Rose Smith.
Choosing Wedding Decorations To Fit Your Theme
Wedding decorations are a very important part of your whole overall theme. It sets the mood for this special day, and presentsyour guests with a beautiful and memorable setting. From simpleand casual to formal and traditional, choosing the right decorationswill add drama and style to any wedding.
You should start by deciding on the type of mood you both wantto create. Are you looking at having a formal evening wedding orwill this be a more casual, daytime wedding? Are you both veryfun loving people who might choose to have a \"Mickey andMinnie Mouse\" wedding theme or would you both prefer a romantic theme?
To begin pulling your ideas together, you should both sitdown and work together to create a list of everything that you both enjoy, from hobbies to sports to animals. Anythingand everything that is important to both of you. Then you can start eliminating items from your list until you have two or three theme ideas that sound reasonable and simple enough to put together, without breaking your budget or your sanity.
Next, you\'ll need to come up with a color scheme to match your theme. Some themes lend themselves easily to colormatching, such as an Irish wedding or a Valentine\'s Day wedding (red, white, pink). With some other themes, youreally don\'t need to worry too much about colors, as theitems for the theme will create your setting anyway, suchas a nautical wedding theme or a Hawaain theme, for example.
Always keep your budget in mind when planning out yourdecorations. Be aware of the size of the rooms you willhave to decorate, for both the ceremony and the reception.Don\'t forget to include any flower arrangements that willbe used for decorating. How many tables will there be thatrequire centerpieces? (Guest tables, head table, buffet orany serving tables, guestbook table, etc.) If your weddingis being held in a place of worship, how many pews will need pew markers? What type of decorating can be done at the altar?
To help you with planning and placement of decorations, takepictures of all locations from different angles. This way you\'llbe able to sit down and really look at what needs to be doneand what decorations will be required, instead of trying to rely on memory.
Keep your decorating simple, yet elegant. Simple touches make a lasting visual statement. Using too many decorationsor ones that are large and overwhelming will detract from the main purpose of this special day - the marriage of two wonderful people. Be sure to also consider preparation time. If you\'re making your wedding decorations by hand, how long will eachpiece take to make? How easy will they be to transport tothe location? And how difficult or long will set up take?
By keeping the above points in mind, you\'ll be sure to avoidcostly mistakes and it will help keep the workload to a minimum. After all, a wedding should be fun, creative andjoyful, not a chore that \"has to be done\". So be playful, use your imagination and enjoy picking and choosing thosespecial wedding decorations that tell the world - \"That\'s us\"!
Author Information:
Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a websitedesigned to help you discover your perfect wedding theme.
You should start by deciding on the type of mood you both wantto create. Are you looking at having a formal evening wedding orwill this be a more casual, daytime wedding? Are you both veryfun loving people who might choose to have a \"Mickey andMinnie Mouse\" wedding theme or would you both prefer a romantic theme?
To begin pulling your ideas together, you should both sitdown and work together to create a list of everything that you both enjoy, from hobbies to sports to animals. Anythingand everything that is important to both of you. Then you can start eliminating items from your list until you have two or three theme ideas that sound reasonable and simple enough to put together, without breaking your budget or your sanity.
Next, you\'ll need to come up with a color scheme to match your theme. Some themes lend themselves easily to colormatching, such as an Irish wedding or a Valentine\'s Day wedding (red, white, pink). With some other themes, youreally don\'t need to worry too much about colors, as theitems for the theme will create your setting anyway, suchas a nautical wedding theme or a Hawaain theme, for example.
Always keep your budget in mind when planning out yourdecorations. Be aware of the size of the rooms you willhave to decorate, for both the ceremony and the reception.Don\'t forget to include any flower arrangements that willbe used for decorating. How many tables will there be thatrequire centerpieces? (Guest tables, head table, buffet orany serving tables, guestbook table, etc.) If your weddingis being held in a place of worship, how many pews will need pew markers? What type of decorating can be done at the altar?
To help you with planning and placement of decorations, takepictures of all locations from different angles. This way you\'llbe able to sit down and really look at what needs to be doneand what decorations will be required, instead of trying to rely on memory.
Keep your decorating simple, yet elegant. Simple touches make a lasting visual statement. Using too many decorationsor ones that are large and overwhelming will detract from the main purpose of this special day - the marriage of two wonderful people. Be sure to also consider preparation time. If you\'re making your wedding decorations by hand, how long will eachpiece take to make? How easy will they be to transport tothe location? And how difficult or long will set up take?
By keeping the above points in mind, you\'ll be sure to avoidcostly mistakes and it will help keep the workload to a minimum. After all, a wedding should be fun, creative andjoyful, not a chore that \"has to be done\". So be playful, use your imagination and enjoy picking and choosing thosespecial wedding decorations that tell the world - \"That\'s us\"!
Author Information:
Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a websitedesigned to help you discover your perfect wedding theme.
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