| Overwhelmed by the insurmountable amount of | | | | research. If you need more opinions, try searching |
| things to do for your wedding? Take a deep | | | | the web for positive write-ups or blogs. Once |
| breath. Here are some words of wisdom with a | | | | you've narrowed down your search, meet with |
| five-step plan. | | | | three to five. Here are some helpful questions to |
| The scenario: You've booked your wedding and | | | | ask when visiting a photographer: What packages |
| reception site and now you're staring at a popular | | | | do you offer? Do you include engagement |
| Internet site where a 150 point "to do" list awaits | | | | photos? Will you visit the site prior to the wedding |
| you. Though these sights can be very useful for | | | | to go over pictures opportunities? Do you have |
| research, advice, and much more, they can be | | | | an assistant? How many hours are you on-site? |
| overwhelming. | | | | Do you have a travel fee? What is your |
| First step: Make a personalized wedding binder. As | | | | interpretation of all day coverage? |
| Michelle Gregory, Coordinator and Event planner at | | | | After deciding on the photographer whose style |
| the Jones Victorian Estate, tells all her Bride and | | | | and attitude complement yours, reserve the |
| Groom's is: make a "Wedding Fun Finder." This fun | | | | photographer, fill out the paperwork, let your |
| finder is a binder that you create with sections | | | | coordinator know who you've chosen, and move |
| for Budget, Wedding/Reception location, | | | | on. You have just accomplished another item on |
| photographer/videographer, wedding dress, | | | | your list! Well done! |
| bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen attire, flowers | | | | Fourth Step: Make a wedding collage on an 8 ½ |
| decorations, meal (including food choices, table | | | | by 11" page. This page has textures, colors, ideas, |
| linen design, etc.), cake/dessert, Minister/Pastor, | | | | themes, etc. Think of it as a compilation of ideas. |
| DJ/Band, gift favors, guest list (including hotels for | | | | For instance, you may find a page in a Bridal |
| out of down guests), invitations, rehearsal | | | | magazine with a gold dress, a jeweled purse, and |
| rehearsal dinner, transportation, and honeymoon. | | | | a bouquet, or a page with an oak tree, fresh |
| This helps you get into the mood of wedding | | | | potted plants, and raffia. You can use this page to |
| planning. In between these sections, place some | | | | start your collage, or begin your very own from |
| clear page protectors for samples, contracts, | | | | scratch and then add your own details such as a |
| fabric/ribbon and magazine pictures (because it's | | | | feather, picture, swatch, beads, etc. This will help |
| easier to show someone something than describe | | | | you begin the design process. |
| it), as well as five blank pages for notes and/or | | | | Remember, you do not have to complete this |
| ideas. On the front of the binder, Bride and | | | | page, as you are just beginning planning, but |
| Groom's can put pictures of themselves, their | | | | getting a head start will help you start formulating |
| wedding date, and anything that makes it | | | | ideas and colors. You can always add more ideas |
| personalized. | | | | as you go along. If you don't have a set idea or |
| Although binders at popular bookstores are | | | | theme, don't worry. Cut out anything that strikes |
| beautiful, a personal touch adds much more to | | | | your interest, attach them to the page, and soon |
| the experience and represents the two of you. | | | | you will see a theme coming together. Place your |
| Once you've finished your initial design and layout | | | | collage in the front of your "fun finder" to refer to |
| for your fun-finder, it's time to take your time | | | | during planning. |
| and find the gown of your dreams! | | | | Fifth Step: Bridesmaid Dresses. While you may be |
| Second step: Finding your gown. Your gown is one | | | | tempted to look for Bridesmaid dresses while you |
| of the most important aspects of your wedding | | | | look for your wedding dress, wait until you have |
| because it denotes the style and tone of your | | | | finished the above items, especially the collage |
| wedding, whether it is traditional, edgy, whimsical, | | | | page, which will offer some color ideas. The |
| or contemporary, your gown impacts the style | | | | Bridesmaid dresses do two things: they help set |
| and design of your wedding. | | | | the color scheme of your wedding and accent |
| Take your time when finding the perfect dress. | | | | your wedding dress. |
| Research. Pick up some bridal magazines and | | | | When choosing a Bridesmaid dress, research. Find |
| peruse their selection of wedding dresses, so you | | | | out what designs and fabrics would complement |
| have a good idea of the style you would like and | | | | your wedding dress. If your Bridal gown is |
| a favorite designer or two. Once you've selected | | | | organza with a sweetheart neckline, you may opt |
| some dresses from magazines, make sure to put | | | | for a strapless bridesmaid dress with Organza |
| your top five or ten into your wedding fun-finder | | | | fabric for continuity. However, as the Bride, you |
| for reference. That way when you make your | | | | may want to stand out and have a different style |
| appointment to visit the Bridal shop to try on | | | | from the Bridesmaid dresses. The style and cut |
| dresses, you can show the consultant just what | | | | of your bridesmaid dresses are your decision |
| you envision yourself wearing. | | | | though you can ask for input from your maids. |
| When finding your bridal dress, remember: don't | | | | Remember, when asking for suggestions from |
| settle! Though some Bride's may have the budget | | | | the bridesmaids, these are just suggestions and it |
| to buy whatever gown she wants, many brides | | | | is ultimately your decision because it is your |
| today don't have a $5-10,000 budget for a bridal | | | | wedding day. Whether you decide on a specific |
| gown. If you are one of those Bride's, don't | | | | color and allow the Bridesmaids to choose the |
| settle; be creative! If you find something you | | | | style, or you choose both, this is your day. |
| love, don't rule out the possibility of finding that | | | | Make Bridesmaid dress shopping fun! Before |
| dress available at a sale (or as a sample), Ebay, | | | | choosing the five to ten dresses that you would |
| auctions, or having it tailor made for you. But | | | | like the Bridesmaids to try on, let them pick one |
| most importantly, find something you love!! | | | | of the oddest, most funny dress each and have a |
| Third Step: Photographer. Finding the photographer | | | | mini fashion show to create a fun mood. While |
| early is important as many book in advance and | | | | they are trying on the dresses, select the |
| pricing may vary. This is one item a Bride can | | | | dresses you would like them to model afterwards. |
| give the Groom to research while she is looking | | | | Once you have chosen the dress, you are ready |
| for her Bridal gown, and then can help him narrow | | | | to move on to the planning stages of your event. |
| down the options to find one they will both love. | | | | STOP: With these five items finished, take a few |
| Many venues and coordinators have a referral list, | | | | weeks or a month off. By taking some time off, |
| start with those. These photographers are known | | | | you will have a fresher look at what you've |
| for their exceptional service and attention to | | | | accomplished and be excited to begin again. |
| detail, why not see if they can serve you? | | | | Remember, this is your wedding day. Take your |
| Then, ask friends or family members for | | | | time and enjoy the process! Happy planning! |
| photographers who they have used and do some | | | | |