Wedding Planning

How to choose and work with wedding vendors,
professionals and service providers

Contributed by Nily Glaser of A-wedding Day

Many brides and grooms write to A-wedding Day requesting information about planning their weddings.

The typical inquiry is as follows. " We just got engaged. What do we do now? Where do we begin?"
Well, weddings are very personal and each has its own unique character.It is very difficult to list every possible scenario but the basics are the style of wedding, the size, the budget involved, the location and of course the bride and groom choices and their personalities.

WEDDING STYLE can range form a classic, elegant and glitzy black tie affair to a picnic in a park.

WEDDING SIZE depends on the number of guests.

WEDDING BUDGET can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

WEDDING LOCATION local, or a destination wedding.

BRIDE and GROOM choose the setting, the colors, the music, the wedding theme etc... that reflect their personalities and interests.

Some couples hire a wedding planner, some rely on the experience of friends and family, but most, opt to plan their wedding by themselves.

The wedding day is only part of the term wedding as a whole. Wedding as it will be referred to in this article includes the preparations for, and the activities following the big day including the honeymoon.

So, you got engaged and are looking forward with anticipation, to your dream wedding, but do not know where to start and what to do. You are not alone!

This article is dedicated to the many engaged couples facing this dilemma and those who want to be focused.

It is very important that both of you, bride and groom, start planning your wedding as soon after the engagement as possible. This allows you to:

take your time, brain storm and leisurely discuss your needs and desires,

prevent and correct any errors,

deal with delays,

handle any possible mishaps.

have fun and enjoy planning your wedding rather than stress over it.

You need to choose your priorities first and write down everything that is very important - urgent,
less important - allows for flexibility and
least important - most adaptable for changes and compromises.

VERY IMPORTANT - URGENT

Date

Budget

Location of ceremony - location of reception

Size of guest list

Offificiant - Clergy

A specific wedding vendor or service provider

Time of year time of day

Having prioritized, put together your wedding information and a list of questions and requests, to present to the vendor or service provider.

OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE - less urgent but needs time to organize.Can be flexible.

Attire

Menu and Beverages

Florist

Cake

Photographer - videographer

Invitations

Musicians

Wedding day help - before, during and after the wedding.

LEAST IMPORTANT- Most acceptable for flexibility, changes and compromises.

Wedding day schedule

Readings at ceremony

Music selection

Final flower selection

Gifts for family and wedding attendants

A wedding gift from the bride to the groom

A wedding gift from the groom to the bride

Wedding favors

Centerpieces

Reception seating arrangements

How to find the appropriate wedding vendors professionals and service providers.

Get yourself a wedding organizer, better yet, a keepsake wedding organizer to house your notes, contacts, contracts and receipts.

Before setting any appointments it is a good idea to:
ask your friend, acquaintances and family for recommendations,

Attend bridal shows

Visit bridal shops and ask for referrals,

Check the internet

Check the yellow pages

Go over the written notes and organize them by priority and ease of use.

Armed with a list of vendors and service providers, it is time for you to pick up the phone and set appointments.
Schedule your appointments by PRIORITY. So, if a specific person or company's participation at the wedding is required, you should contact them FIRST to find out when they have an opening. If the date is a priority you need to focus on securing an officiant, and a location for the ceremony and the reception, and so on. Do not limit your search to wedding specific service providers. Caterers, florists, DJs and-or musicians, photographers, ceremony and reception sites and videographers, who also provide services to other types of parties, business events, conventions etc... may be open to negotiations. You may able to secure their services at a reduced rates or receive a free gift.

Actually, while you are on the phone to set an interview appointment, request a price quote for a party. Give the service providers the basic information including number of guests, date, and hours requested and ask for a quote. When you arrive at the interview, with the price quote in hand let them know that the party is a wedding.

Do not, commit until you have accumulated at least a few bids and found the person(s) you interviewed, accommodating and easy to work with. Oh, yes! one more thing you need to do before booking any of your vendors. Check them out at the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed against them.

Once you made your choice, do not look for other alternatives or you'll drive yourselves crazy. Instead go on to the next detail that requires your attention.

Always be prepared! Go to each interview ready with your questions and information neatly written. Bring a pen and paper and take notes at meetings with the different wedding professionals, service providers and wedding vendors. These notes serve as a fun keep sake too.

Visit A-wedding Day discount shopping mall and save. Here you'll find a wide selection of wedding gifts, bridal accessories, supplies, and favors at affordable prices. Use the money you save on other aspects of your wedding.

I'll list the wedding professionals, service providers and vendors that are part of the BASIC WEDDING.
You may not need every service, or you may need more than listed.

Each mention will link to the information needed for a meeting with the specific vendor or service provider and the information needed from him or her.

So, without further ado, Here is the list in alphabetical order.
Accommodations - Bride and Groom, Family, Wedding Guests

addressing and calligraphy

banquet facility - restaurant, event hall or wedding reception venue

beauty - make-up, nails and hair

catering- pre-wedding parties, rehearsal meal, reception, other

Disc Jockey

destination weddings

Do it yourself, make your own - materials and supplies outlets

Florists, Floral Designers, Decorators

honeymoon

honeymoon -travel, guided tours, sports, recreation, other

jewelry - engagement ring, wedding bands, wedding jewelry, gifts from bride and groom

musicians

officiant - clergy

printers - save the day, invitations, reply cards, programs, place cards, menus, thank you notes, other

religious site - Church, Synagogue, Temple, Mosque, other

transportation - limo, horse and carriage, taxi, car rental for guests, other

travel agent- destination wedding, honeymoon, guest travel, other

Wedding Accessories

Wedding and guest Accommodations

Wedding Attire - Gowns, Tuxedos

Wedding Cakes

Wedding Flowers

wedding gift for - best man, maid of honor, bridesmaids, ushers, kids, other

wedding gifts for - family, wedding party, other

wedding music - DJ, soloist, band or a small orchestra

Wedding Photographers - videographers

Wedding Planners

Wedding rehearsal and reception venue

Wedding Rings

Other important considerations.

With the basic information on hand, click on the above links to the wedding vendors, professionals and service providers you need for your dream wedding.

Have fun!

Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser.

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Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day, http://a-weddingday.com/

A-wedding Day is a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories. We would highly appreciate a courtesy copy of your publication and / or the URL and a website link.