What a beautiful day we're having in Connecticut today! OMG, I can not wait to get out and enjoy it. I have to shop for a few last minute items for two upcoming events. My two favorite things to do..shop and decorate for an event..combined into a few errands!!! I couldn't ask for anything more! LOL So let's get to work!
Last week, we talked about saving money while still trying to obtain every MUST HAVE item on your list. So now that you have some insight on how to stay on budget, let's take a look at some Do's and Don'ts you will encounter along the way.
DO'S
- Do have a list of questions or concerns ready when meeting with your vendors. Questions are very much appreciated by all wedding vendors. We want you to be an informed client. When you are not, that makes our job more difficult. But when you have the power of knowledge, you are in a better position to make better choices with your money.
- Do read every single word on your vendor contracts! Make sure every service item is listed that you requested and the price is as you've been quoted; make sure the event date/time/location is correct; make sure the vendor knows what time he/she has to arrive for set up; make sure the vendor guarantees services that day even if he/she has to get someone to fill in because they've taken ill and will notify you of the change. Just read and re-read the contract before signing. You do not want to sign a bogus contract and end up with a wedding nightmare!
- Do make sure that once you sign your vendor contracts, that you understand their requests of you as the client. Obviously, vendors want you to understand how much you have to pay them, when their deposits and balances are due. But some wedding vendors add extras into their contracts, that you will be responsible for. For example, most wedding vendors such as photographers and DJs require that you provide them a meal during your reception. Don't laugh, this is a very common request! Some vendors will be working an 8 to 12 hour day to fulfill your contract. Set up time before your ceremony, services during the ceremony, services during the cocktail hour, then services for the next 5 hours at your reception. Just like you at your job, you need to eat! In the past, it was a friendly gesture that some clients would offer to provide a meal. But in today's wedding industry, most vendors put it in their contracts so there's no misunderstandings. So DO make sure you advise your reception hall of the extra meals you have to provide; DO make sure there is a vendor table set up for these vendors to eat at; and DO make sure you set aside the additional funds to pay for it.
- Do make yourself a chart of when your vendor balances are due. Per their contracts, some vendors could have fine print that says if the balance is not paid by "this date", they are not obligated to provide services. Don't be the couple that forgets to pay their videographer two weeks before the wedding; and now has no videos! Make sure you know when to finish paying your vendors. And how much! Keep detailed records and receipts of payments as well.
- Do make sure you set aside funds for dress alterations. Okay ladies, now I know the dress means everything to you! And your biggest wish is to find the PERFECT dress. Well you may find the perfect dress, but it will almost NEVER be the perfect size! Because every size 10 woman is not the same shape in the bust/waist/hips, that size 10 dress may have to be nipped and tucked in some places. So you may think you're getting the dress of your dreams at a fabulous price, at retail stores like David's Bridal, but remember to add atleast $200.00 to the cost of the dress. Alteration costs vary depending upon retailers. And it could be cheaper to go to a local seamstress. But either way, whether it's just tightening the straps or letting the waist out completely, be prepared financially to cover it.
- With that said, Do make sure the alterations will be ready before your big day. Make certain that the retailer or seamstress knows that you need your dress atleast two weeks before your wedding date. You will need time to do a final fitting when you go to pick up your dress. And you also want to try the dress on the week before your wedding, just in case the stress of planning gave you too many late night Cookie Dough ice cream cravings! LOL Regardless, you want your now-perfectly-fitted dress in your possession as soon as possible!
- Do make sure you set aside funds for undergarments as well. More than likely, your perfect dress will require a special bra, slip, or body shaper. Set aside some funds to make that purchase as well. So when you go back for a fitting, you will try the dress on with the undergarments and see how it will actually look on your wedding day. The retailer or seamstress will know how to proceed if the dress requires a little more/less adjusting.
- Do a trial run for makeup and hair. Can you imagine if you didn't??? You could end up looking like an over-tanned raccoon! 'Nuff said!
- Do ask for help if you need it! You can not do all of the planning and leg work alone. Ask your maid/matron of honor to help. Ask your mother for advice. That's what everyone is there for. Just a tip from what I did for my wedding: I asked several different people for help with the things that they were good at! For example, my mother loves to travel like I do. So I asked her to help me pick the hotel location for out of town guests. My mother-inlaw-to-be loves to sew and do other crafting, so I asked her to help me shop for decor and fabric because I was making special table runners for our reception. I asked my maid of honor to help me work on the favors. And of course, I asked my husband-to-be to help choose the invitations. Every person had a different job and took a special part in my big day. It helped them feel special and loved to be a part of it. And I can not tell you how much it meant to me to have had their love and support. Plus we had a blast doing it! But if you do not have anyone you can count on, you can always hire a professional planner or decorator to assist you. You can always email me at, info@mysimpleelegance.com. I will be happy to help!
DON'TS
- The biggest Don't I have on my list is, Don't forget to enjoy the wedding planning process! It's not stressful if you don't allow it to be. If you have read my blogs, and start planning early, it will be a breeze to get everything done on time and on budget.
- Don't procrastinate! Do not allow time to sneak up on you. If you are taking my advice, you are starting to plan early and are getting as much accomplished when you can. Now life can not be about the wedding ALL THE TIME ladies, so do plan some down time away from wedding errands. But do not let days turn into weeks, turn into months! You will only be hurting yourself if you procrastinate. It will end up causing you stress you didn't have to have.
- Don't get swindled. Do not let vendors try to sell you something you do not need or want. That's why I said, read your contracts, ask questions, don't sign anything you have not read, and most of all, do not pay for something that you didn't ask for. Unfortunately, we would all like to be trusting of everyone, but that's just completely unrealistic in this day and age of identity theft, ponsi schemes and other "get-rich-quick" cons. The wedding industry brings in millions of dollar each year. Vendors increase their prices 10%-15% just at the mere mention of performing services for a wedding. So be informed, be aware, and safeguard your money. Report any vendor that seems like a scam artist. You'll be protecting future brides from their mayhem!
- Don't forget all of the important documents required when planning a wedding. I coordinated a wedding a few years back for a couple who seriously thought all you needed to be married, was a ceremony! They were young and very naive. The bottom line is, in order for your marriage to be legally recognized, you have to apply for a Marriage License in your city or state. Research all the requirements in your state. Most states just require your drivers license and a fee. Some may require a work visa/passport to verify nationality. And most states require that you get marired within a certain time frame after obtaining your marriage license, such as up to 90 days after the license has been issued. If you're going to a foreign country for your honeymoon, apply for a passport or update your current one if needed. If you need a park permit to have your ceremony in the rose garden downtown, get that paperwork taken care of in advanced as well. Other important documents you may have to obtain or ask a vendor to supply copies of: Food/Liquor Service Permit (caterer), Vendor Insurance (DJ), Officiant License (Minister or Justice of the Peace). Make sure you know what you need, so you don't have any problems.
- Don't forget to tip certain vendors! Some vendors, or staff members of vendors, do not get compensated enough for all they have to put up with. For example, do you think the driver of that party bus gets paid enough to deal with 12 drunken, rowdy wedding party members?? Nope, don't think so! Do you think that wait staff person is being paid enough to put up with your annoyingly needy aunt who wants a substitute for everything on your menu???? Nope, don't think so! So in good faith that you will be getting the great service that you deserve, set aside tip money. Whether its just an extra $20 for the limo driver, or start the bar staff off with a $50 bill in their shared tip jar, make sure you do your part to make sure they give you service with a smile.
That's all of the Do's and Don'ts today! Wow, my brain hurts! It's definitely time for some sunshine.
Next week, we'll talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly....several scenarios of weddings gone wrong. And what to do to prevent it.
Til then, take care!
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