It's going to happen! You've been asked and you've accepted and you're getting married. Now what? Where do you go from here? We'd like to give you several tips on planning your wedding, especially as you choose your vendors.
The first tip we have is to take the time to educate yourself before making final decisions. As you've grown up, you have had dreams and expectations of what your wedding day would be like. Now's your chance to see those dreams and expectations come true.
But take the time to learn how weddings are done and what works and what doesn't. It isn't very romantic to tell you it's time for a reality check but it is necessary. We don't mean to imply that you can't have the wedding of your dreams, we just recommend you temper your expectations with practical realities.
Another reason to take the time to learn is that wedding professionals are all different. Nearly everyone does his or her service differently than everyone else. The advantage of this is that by using these creative and talented people, you will have a wedding that is uniquely yours. The disadvantage is that you need to shop around to find just the one you want.
So how do you educate yourself? We hope this book will be a big step in that direction. Bridal shows can also be an excellent source of information. Ask friends and family about their weddings. Read Bridal Magazine and Planning Books. Finally, talk to professionals -- they can give you firsthand and up-to-date advice on practical details.
Start with word-of-mouth references for your vendors. A trusted friend or family member who has recently had a wedding in Colorado Springs can be an excellent source of vendors to talk to.
Make personal contact with the vendor. This can initially be by phone, but you really can't make a final decision on most vendors unless you've met them and seen their work. There is no substitute for the personal interview.
If possible try to view their work in action at an actual wedding. For many wedding professionals, this will tell you volumes more about them than you can find out from your interview with them.
Ask yourself if the vendor's personality is a good match for you. In some cases, this may not be a critical factor, yet in other cases (photographers for example) this could be one of the biggest considerations.
Ask for references! These will be somewhat biased toward the vendor, but it can still be an excellent way to confirm your choice.
Contracts are the best way to avoid problems. Try to get specific descriptions of the services the vendor is going to perform for you.
Specific details include: time frames and delivery dates, cancellation clauses, specific costs, required payments and deposits, and remedies for problems.
Vendors aren't perfect, but if everyone's expectations are spelled out, you can usually prevent a problem from becoming a disaster.
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