Bridal Tips - Bridal Stories - Wedding Services

HOW TO BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER....

• Prepare a list of potential photographers that you would like to interview.
• Ask your friends, who recently got married or attended weddings, for recommendations. If you do not know anyone, Yellow Pages directory may be your best source.
• Interview each prospective photographer extensively. Do not be afraid to ask questions or discuss your ideas. Photographers who want to do things their way without thoroughly explaining reasons “why” should be avoided. Keep in mind that such an interview is an education process for both parties involved.
• Ask for a list of recent references. Contact each former customer and ask questions such as: Was he cooperative? Was he on time? How soon did you get your proofs? How soon did you get the finished product? Were there any “additional” or “unexpected” fees before you received your pictures?
• Ask for a copy of the contract Look out for provisions for additional fees that the photographer may incur and he wants you to pay for them later. The contract should be very explicit, written in a language easily understood without vague “legal terms and statements”
• View the prospective photographer's work. Pay attention to colors, clarity, sound quality on the video, technique of shooting the video (quickly changing scenes become very tiring and eventually annoying to the viewer) and overall impression you get from viewing the samples.
• AVOID VENDORS WHO ASK FOR A LARGE DOWNPAYMENT UP FRONT

PERFECT WEDDING PLANNER

COUNTDOWN TO YOUR WEDDING DATE

Congratulations! You are now engaged and you need to plan a chain of activities leading to your wedding date. If anyone thinks it is easy…think again…and again! Planning a wedding can be a great experience, or it can be a total nightmare, where Murphy’s Law rules and controls you. First of all, you must make a commitment to yourself that you are in control of the events that will be taking place in the days to come. In order to do accomplish this you must organize all of the activities by creating a binder to all wedding related matters and file all related materials in chronological order. This will be your permanent record of orders, discussions, commitments to which you can always refer when a situation requires it!

We have created a checklist that you may find very helpful. The list was created after extensive talks on the subject with our customers who purchased gowns from our shop, so these ideas are real.

Right after the engagement:

• Notify your respective families
  
• Decide on the approximate date and have a few back up dates(this may change due to external factors of which you have no control: i.e: Can not get a reception hall).
  
• Set your budget
  
• Meet with respective officiates
  
• Choose your reception location and immediately check the availability and costs. You may need to do comparison shopping if you find out that your dream place is simply unaffordable.
  
• Create a list of potential guests. THIS SHOULD BE DONE WITH BOTH SETS OF PARENTS!
  
• Select your bridal party attendants, maid of honor and best man
  
• Begin to study bridal magazines. They offer the wealth of ideas when it comes to gown designs. Pictures are of superb quality, unlike postings on the Internet, so you can see details of workmanship. Decide in what style you will feel comfortable. Remember, the wedding day is a long day. Comfort is of great importance.
  
• Want to lose weight and shape up? This is the right time to begin a program. Do it gradually but consistently and the results will be obvious.
  


7 to 9 months before the wedding date:

Start shopping for your gown and bridesmaid dresses

• Book your caterer
  
• Order gowns no later than 6 months before the wedding. Gowns typically take anywhere from 3 to 4 months and you must allow adequate time for alterations.
  
• Register for wedding gifts
  
• Book the photographer/video production company
  
• Select your florist and settle on flower arrangements
  
• Book your DJ or musicians for the reception
  
• Start planning your honeymoon.
  
  
4 to 6 months:

• Order your wedding stationery.
  
• Make wedding day transportation arrangements
  
• Research arrangements for out of town guests.
  
• Finalize the guest list.
  
• Book your honeymoon.
  
• Plan your rehearsal dinner
  
  
2 to 4 months:

• Call your town clerk to inquire about requirements regarding marriage license.
  
• Select and order wedding favors.
  
• Order your wedding cake
  
• Meet with officiates to discuss readings, music during the ceremony.
  
• Shop for attendants’ gifts
  
• Select music during the reception
  
• Make reservations for your wedding night
  



4 to8 weeks:

• Mail the invitations
  
• Discus and decide on the menu.
  
• Gather information about procedures to change your name, if desired. City clerk’s office will be your best source.
  
• Send wedding announcement to local newspapers
  
• Start your gown fittings and alterations
  


2 to 4 weeks:

• Create reception seating arrangement
  
• Contact ALL your vendors and confirm the arrangements you agreed on.
  
• Write your speech you plan to make during the reception
  


1 week:

• Pick up your wedding gown
  
• Organize final payments to vendors and prepare envelopes for distribution by a responsible person.
  
• Deliver a final list of guests to the caterer

PACK FOR THE HONEYMOON!

 WEDDING DRESSES AND MISTAKES TO AVOID

Evaluate your figure to determine what look might be the best for you.

Do not insist on following “fashion trends”.

If you are not sure of the best dress ”look”, ask the salesperson for her opinion and pay attention to what she has to say. A well qualified bridal consultant will listen to you first and then she will present her opinion.

Be open to color suggestions: white vs. ivory. Many dresses are photographed in ivory because the design looks better in ivory. Do not eliminate ivory because there may be some pre-conceived notions about this color.

Pay attention to overall comfort of the dress

Pay attention to the train of the dress. People in church will see your back and the train. Length of the train is immaterial. All trains are pinned up in a form of a bustle for your comfort.

Do not be swayed by a “bargain price”, unless the dress fits you well. Alterations on such dresses may cost you in the hundreds of dollars.

Avoid salespeople who say you look “gorgeous” in every dress you put on. Trust your instincts.

Do not buy a dress with 1 year or better head start before the wedding. Styles change! Your size may change. Up to 1 year is more than adequate.

If you are happy with the service, buy everything from one store, even if prices may be slightly higher. Negotiate you “package deal”. Sometimes it is better to pay a little more and have great service and commitment from the store owner.

HOW TO ORDER FLOWERS