Back to Basics

A little research goes a long way. A little life experience? Goes a whole lot further. We've been engaged for two months and have successfully battled several challenges, and I think between these and my coursework, and of course the perusing of a magazine or seven, I have determined the Top 5 Basic Rules of Planning.

1. Break two rules of basic human decency -- Never forget to brag, and always stick your nose in other people's business. The more you talk, Facebook post, and neb-nose, the more likely you are to get great referrals from recent brides, or even better, Mother of the Brides. Friends, co-workers, family and other wedding professionals are amazing resources to find both the good and the bad of local vendors. Between these gold mines and the wonderful world wide web, you'll have all your angles covered, and great idea of who can do what and how well in your area! 

2. Figure out your stats. In order to make what you're looking for and what you can afford mesh, you must know both a tentative guest count and a guesstimate of your budget. You will quickly find out that $150 people at $60 a head does not a cheap wedding make! Then comes the tough part... what's more important? Filet Mignon or Aunt Mildred? (Good chance you and Mom won't agree on this one!)

3. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Cutting costs isn't always limited to holding your wedding on a Friday or serving cocktail fare instead of sit down dinners. A change in the type of starch or vegetable your offer could make all the difference! Sit down with your fiance' and work out the things from each vendor that are important to you, and then discuss with them what you could do to cut costs. Some people's prices are set, which you must be respectful of, but, more often than not, there will be some wiggle room!

4. Treat vendor meetings, no matter how many you have, like they are work meetings. Come prepared, act professionally, and respect their work and more importantly, their prices. Remember, weddings are a billion dollar industry. You may not have the $5,000 to pony up for a DJ, but, someone else might. (This is the item I've had the most trouble with.... not letting my jaw drop to the floor when DJ's tell me their prices!) Be courteous and follow up after a meeting to express interest, or polite disinterest, and always have the courtesy to call and cancel an appointment if you won't be able to make it. A vendor's time is as important as your time, and you certainly wouldn't appreciate them standing you up if you took time off of work to meet them!

5. Ask Questions. Too many of them.Write as many as you can down beforehand, and then write down all the answers. When you get home, go over the answers and re-write or type key points. This will help you differentiate between vendors later if you are meeting with more than one, and if you choose that particular vendor, you will have a reference sheet for them to help through the rest of the planning process! There may be stupid questions, but, there's a good chance you aren't the first to ask them, so have at it!