Wedding Planning on the Web

Planning a wedding? Whether you're a weddingdeserves a little research.
planning pro or a do-it-yourself bride, I know oneBridal fairs. If the vendors at bridal fairs were so
thing you don't: you aren't using the web enough.great, why would they be trawling for business?
The web has become the dominant way to shopDo you want an in-demand wedding vendor, or
for electronics, travel, cars, housing, evenone who has to set up a booth and hand out free
education. But you can just as easily use the websamples?
to find caterers, event halls, dressmakers, DJs,Yellow pages. I remember the time my mother
photographers, videographers--even a weddingused the Yellow Pages to find a contractor to
planner if you decide to take a break from doinginstall some new doors. During the holiday season,
it all yourself.the draft would blow out the candles in the
Here's how the web helps you plan a wedding:window if they weren't electric. Anyone can get in
Local search. No, you don't have to sort throughthe yellow pages--and believe me, anyone does.
vendors from here to Timbuktu. Local searchWeb Wedding Planning Advantages
technology now makes finding someoneSelection. No offline source will ever have as
downtown as easy as finding someone anywhere.many options, whether it's songs for the wedding
If you use Google, you only have to enter a placereception or fabrics for the gowns.
name along with your keyword to get a list ofReady information. As soon as you see an option
local businesses. Try "wedding planner fargo"you'd like to consider, you can find out all you'd
(without the quotes) and see for yourself.ever like to know as easily as copying and pasting
Real people. The people you are buying frominto Google.
online aren't "virtual." They're as real as the peopleIt's All in Writing. By their very nature, websites
you'd meet in person. In fact, especially with localput a lot of information in writing. The written
business, the website is just a first contact. Youpolicies regarding shipping, warranties (if any),
can always call them up or arrange to meet inreturns, and service will almost always be easy to
person.access. (Hint: look for links to policies at the
Dedicated wedding information websites. Therebottom of each web page.) The fact that
are now websites solely devoted not just toeverything is written down gives the vendor
planning a wedding, but to catering, weddingmuch less wiggle room to change the terms of
cakes, even dying shoes for weddings. Thesethe deal. Almost as good as the paper trail is the
same websites often have directories of weddingphotograph trail--at least when it comes to
vendors arranged by location.merchandise. Save any relevant images along with
Message boards and customer reviews. Youthe text.
wouldn't buy a book on Amazon without reading aBetter Business Bureau's Convenient BBBOnline.
review a customer had left. Now you don't haveOn the web, it's easy to check for Better
to buy decorations that way, either.Business Bureau membership. The site should
Web Wedding Planning Alternativeshave the BBBOnline logo displayed prominently on
The web has a lot of advantages over mostthe order page. Click on the logo to be taken to
other ways of discovering and evaluating weddingthe BBB.org profile for that business. The BBB
vendors. Just look at what your other optionspage should say that business is a member in
are:Recommendations from friends and colleagues.good standing. With the BBBOnline, the Bureau's
How much do your friends and colleagues reallyecommerce program, you can dispute a sale
know about wedding planning? Very often, onewithout having to go to the local Bureau where
person's idea of wedding elegance is any sanethe store is headquartered.
person's idea of bad, bad taste. Just look atIn short, the web makes it much easier to get a
anyone's wedding pictures. You can't trust thisperfect wedding.
decision to your friends. This is your big day. It