| The task of planning our wedding fell to me | | | | Yes, there are quite a few other details to clean |
| mostly because I was a wedding professional--a | | | | up such as: Wedding Invitations, marriage license, |
| photographer. Granted, I had lots of contacts in | | | | limo, etc. A word about invitations--the cost can |
| the business but I knew that I'd be treated like | | | | be cut by about two thirds if you have access to |
| anyone else walking through the shop door. | | | | a decent computer and printer. Most office supply |
| You need to begin with a very positive attitude | | | | stores sell blank invitations and envelopes. Run 'em |
| and the commitment to produce a successful, | | | | yourself. As for party favors, wedding attendant |
| memorable event. I have only planned one | | | | gifts and so forth, try eBay! |
| wedding in my many years as a wedding | | | | The honeymoon didn't pose any problems. I |
| photographer. | | | | owned a one week time share at the coast so I |
| Since my bride-to-be considered me to be the | | | | made an internal swap to get the date we |
| "Expert," my job was to line up all of the other | | | | needed. (maybe you know someone with a |
| service providers since the photography part of | | | | timeshare that'll let you use it. Also we had |
| the event would be covered by my own staff. | | | | planned a two week camping trip during the |
| Wow! Where to begin? I had just a few months | | | | warmer months that included ending up in Maine |
| to get the job done. My goal was to plan a | | | | for a Lobsterfest. |
| wedding that would create memories that would | | | | Now you say, "OK, you were in the business so |
| last a lifetime. So far (11 years later) it looks like I | | | | you had all the leads to vendors in hand. What am |
| succeeded. | | | | I to do--starting from scratch?" Yes I did have a |
| Here are the tasks I had to complete--in order of | | | | head start but you can easily catch up to what I |
| importance. | | | | did. See my tips below. |
| 1. Select a date and a wedding site: My bride had | | | | * Don't depend on just the Yellow Pages for |
| lived in this city a little more than a year and had | | | | your starting points. These ads can be deceptive |
| no church affiliation. I, on the other hand, was an | | | | in that the biggest ad isn't always the most |
| On Again-Off Again member of a small Episcopal | | | | successful vendor. |
| Church. Why should a church be our first choice? | | | | * I didn't know about Google 11 years ago so |
| TO SAVE MONEY! The wedding date we picked | | | | you have that in your favor. Put Mr. Google to |
| was a Saturday in February--Valentine's Day! | | | | work for you. |
| Ahhh, how romantic. Since this was not during the | | | | * Don't hesitate to thank a shopkeeper and |
| BUSY wedding season I quickly booked the | | | | head for the door if you don't think you're getting |
| church for an early evening wedding. | | | | the best deal. These folks know that once you |
| 2. Reception/Catering: We anticipated 60-70 | | | | leave, the odds are highly against your coming |
| guests and due to the time of day--a sit-down | | | | back. |
| dinner was appropriate. I had lucked out here as I | | | | * Check with recent brides, family and friends |
| had just heard about a popular hotel/restaurant | | | | for their experience with certain vendors. |
| that was scheduled for demolition to make way | | | | * And don't forget to scan Craig's List for your |
| for an Interstate Highway interchange. These | | | | city. It's a good source for one-time-used bridal |
| folks were anxious to make all the income | | | | gowns (or not used at all). |
| possible before the wrecking ball began swinging | | | | * Seriously consider hiring a wedding director if |
| so I got an exceptional deal plus reduced room | | | | you plan on having more than 2-3 attendants. |
| rates for out-of-town folks. | | | | Many churches provide a director just to be sure |
| 3. Entertainment: Over the years I had completed | | | | things don't get screwed up. |
| several weddings with a local DJ. We had become | | | | * Two weeks before the wedding call everyone |
| fast friends. Alan cleared out the date for me. | | | | you booked--just to make sure they haven't |
| Couples may consider several choices for | | | | gone out of business, developed some rare |
| entertainment that run from an orchestra, a small | | | | tropical disease or have been run over by a |
| musical ensemble or recorded music. I have done | | | | school bus. "Stuff" happens, if you know what I |
| low budget weddings when the music was | | | | mean! |
| supplied by a family member with a "Boom Box." | | | | * Develop a contingency plan: Plan for the best, |
| These next few steps can be accomplished in | | | | expect the worst: Illness or other problems may |
| any convenient order since the preceding steps | | | | prevent a wedding party member from attending, |
| should be taken care of ASAP. | | | | airline flight delays, etc. |
| A. Wedding Cake: Both of us prefer "Pound | | | | * Winter weddings: What will you do if a blizzard |
| Cake," so we narrowed down the choices to | | | | or ice storm strikes |
| three local bakers. We both started out on a | | | | * Summer outdoor weddings: Have a backup |
| tasting tour and never got beyond the first one | | | | shelter available if it rains or thunderstorms move |
| visited. Of course I had dome several weddings | | | | in. |
| with this lady and she did flip-flops to | | | | I do hope these tips have been of some value to |
| accommodate us. Man, was that cake delicious. | | | | you. But please don't stop here. My friends Tim |
| We may have gotten a little better price had we | | | | and Lisa Spooner have an interesting story to tell. |
| visited the other two bakers but I doubt if it | | | | They managed to whittle down a $20,000 Dream |
| would have been as good. | | | | Wedding to $2,000--and it turned out far better |
| B. Formal Wear. Here again I pulled on my | | | | than they ever expected. Stop by and visit them |
| experience with having done at least one wedding | | | | and they'll give you a FREE WEDDING PLANNING |
| with every shop in town. My choice number three | | | | GUIDE! |
| gave me the best price and they got the order. | | | | |