| Weddings can be a minefield. I have asked | | | | them to know that when we have an initial |
| wedding professionals what they think brides | | | | consultation with them it takes a lot of skill and |
| should know before they go in to order services. | | | | time on our parts to be able to listen and envision |
| Here are some fantastic and honest replies to | | | | what another person sees. I would like them to |
| what brides should know. | | | | know that most of us do this job because we |
| A Banqueting Manager said 'I wish they knew how | | | | love it.' |
| hard that my staff and I work for each and | | | | Another Wedding Planner (still not me although I |
| every one of them! If they knew this, they | | | | agree!) said 'That there is a difference between |
| wouldn't be so stressed out.' | | | | the wedding coordinator provided by a venue and |
| Another Banqueting Manager said "We find many | | | | one that you hire separately to work with you |
| brides disappointed when trying to find a venue | | | | throughout the planning process of your wedding.' |
| when they set their wedding date before touring | | | | Another Wedding Planner said "That there are |
| venues. We found brides that tour venues and | | | | many cases where if you do the math the |
| check out dates that are available find their | | | | wedding planner is actually making less then |
| planning process less stressful.' | | | | minimum wage and often the planner actually |
| Another Banqueting Manager said "I also praise | | | | ends up working harder on those lower budget |
| those Brides who book well in advance; I believe | | | | weddings then they would on a higher budget |
| that there is a certain amount of pleasure to be | | | | wedding. We do it because we love our jobs. |
| enjoyed while planning a wedding. Enjoy every | | | | Yet another Wedding Planner said "I would like |
| meeting, check off the milestones, it's all part of | | | | brides to know that hiring a planner has to be |
| that journey to that special day! I invite my brides | | | | looked at other than as just another expense. A |
| and grooms to meet with their planners and other | | | | planner goes the extra mile for their brides; they |
| vendors at our facility. Their venue to be a place | | | | make sure that everything is getting done, not |
| that they are comfortable in, and know that they | | | | overlooked. When something goes wrong we are |
| are welcome to visit." | | | | there to assist and make it go smoothly instead |
| Lesson: Plan ahead and once you have booked | | | | of them being so stressed as issues do arise. If |
| your supplier, trust them! | | | | the facility is having issues and the bride is dealing |
| An Independent Caterer said "Brides should have | | | | with only the facility planner, the planner is |
| a time line. Often they come to me before they | | | | obligated by their employer to do what is right for |
| have a venue selected. Selecting the venue, | | | | the facility, not the bride. Sometimes it is nice to |
| garden, home residence sets the tone | | | | have a planner to be the buffer and a sounding |
| immediately. Immediately they can deduct from | | | | board to offer suggestions and alternatives. We |
| the budget they have. Then seek out a reputable | | | | are a great resource." |
| caterer who should do a walkthrough of the | | | | And Another Planner "wishes that they knew that |
| venue and get a sense of the bride's style and | | | | as a planner I am not going to take over their |
| personality. A good full service caterer can help | | | | wedding but add my expertise to help them have |
| select a budget friendly menu with a variety of | | | | the day they dream of." |
| options." | | | | Lesson: Be realistic about the time and energy |
| A Professional DJ/Wedding Host said 'I would | | | | you have to plan your wedding and bring your |
| prefer a bride and groom know and understand | | | | dream together. This should be the happiest time |
| the difference between a DJ and a DJ who is also | | | | of your life! |
| "Professional Wedding Host". | | | | A wedding photographer said 'A couple should |
| Lesson: DJs can be more than just a DJ. They | | | | choose their photographer and videographer |
| can MC and save the Best Man's nerves! | | | | according to STYLE, and not price (alone). It is |
| Full service Bridal Show owner said 'Brides need a | | | | jarring to work with a videographer with a |
| condensed version of things they needs to do | | | | completely different (more traditional) style than |
| and know before talking to their first vendor or | | | | my own as a photographer.' |
| trying on their first wedding dress. The number of | | | | Another Wedding Photographer said 'I wish brides |
| brides who come into my store thinking they | | | | understood that photography is not a commodity, |
| have plenty of time to buy/order their wedding | | | | but Art. What it really takes to shoot a wedding. |
| dress with only two or three months before the | | | | How many obstacles (weather, mood, time |
| wedding are under a big misconception.' | | | | constraints, health issues, drunk guests..etc) a |
| Another Bridal Shop Owner said "I wish more | | | | photographer has to overcome to deliver beautiful |
| brides knew that preowned dresses can help | | | | wedding photographs.' |
| them get a quality gown for so much less, AND | | | | Lesson: Coordinate your vendors and suppliers |
| that if they can let go of their gown quickly after | | | | well and know what your style is! |
| the wedding, they can recoup one of their major | | | | A Wedding Invitation Designer said "I so wish |
| expenses and use the money for something | | | | brides would follow their own hearts! Friends |
| more useful in their new life." | | | | Family members really complicate things when a |
| Lesson: Know your timelines does a great one | | | | bride consults too many people and then |
| and I will have one soon too!) and keep up to | | | | becomes confused. That is the one thing I wish |
| date with your 'To Do' lists. | | | | that brides knew... Make your wedding YOURS!" |
| An Event Décor and Floral Designer said | | | | A Wedding Favour Supplier said "...that |
| 'We wish brides had an idea of what they were | | | | unforgettable wedding favors make a huge |
| looking for in their flowers and decorations and | | | | impression on guests without spending a lot of |
| had a budget in mind. That would help us make | | | | money. If they shop wisely, favors are a small |
| recommendations that will keep them in their | | | | expense and complete the overall wedding |
| budget and also create arrangements that will | | | | experience." |
| provide their desired look for the finished product | | | | A Photobooth Provider said "That they can share |
| for their wedding day.' | | | | their pain, if they have any. Often times brides |
| Another Wedding décor specialist said | | | | and grooms struggle to keep the planning going. I |
| 'Bring swatches if you want colors to match; bring | | | | always recommend a wedding planner if things |
| pictures of things you have seen that you like, | | | | are overwhelming. Our job as vendors is to fit our |
| but understand that everything you want may | | | | clients' needs not to have them fit our needs. So |
| not be available given budget constraints. Think | | | | if a bride is hands on I allow her to be, if she |
| about and talk with your fiancé about | | | | wants no worries I take the ball and run with it. If |
| what is the most important.' | | | | we work through a coordinator, no problem. |
| A Florist said "We wish brides knew too many | | | | When the bride is honest and lays out her |
| colors can be like a circus...COLOR PHILOSOPHY - | | | | expectations a good vendor will follow suit and |
| Decorating a space in terms of color we use the | | | | create a plan that is mutually beneficial." My |
| 60-30-10 rule divided into percentages for | | | | response to this, that is a good one! |
| example 60% Deep Velvet Red, 30% Cymbidium | | | | A Musician said "That the price they are quoted |
| Green, 10% Pink Champagne" | | | | for a musician includes thousands of hours of |
| Lesson: Know your budget breakdowns and bring | | | | practice, the purchase of equipment and |
| in all those photos you have been looking at in the | | | | amplifications systems, stands and sheet music, |
| magazines and take advice! | | | | advertising, many supplies like reeds, strings, drum |
| A wedding videographer/cinematographer said 'I'd | | | | heads and gaffer's tape, set up and warm up |
| like brides to know that years from now, the | | | | time, consultations and meetings, professional |
| sound of their parents' voices talking to them as | | | | memberships. It is a very common misperception |
| they get ready - and about them, as well, | | | | that a musician plays a few tunes and then |
| throughout the day, will be priceless. That | | | | disappears." |
| grandparents' advice for long and wonderful | | | | A Jewelry and Accessories Designer said "I would |
| marriages, told in their own words and heard in | | | | really like when brides come to me with a |
| their own voices will be blessings heard again and | | | | scrapbook of hair accessories that they like. I |
| again;' | | | | have found that only a handful of brides know |
| Another Wedding Videographer said 'I'd like brides | | | | what they want. This is a bit frustrating for me |
| to know that most wedding videographers | | | | the designer, when they say to me "You will |
| haven't shown your what's possible, because | | | | Know if it suits me", when I have only just met |
| you've been advised to spend far less on a | | | | them. |
| videographer than on your photographer, so that | | | | On the whole I believe that Brides should have a |
| they really can't offer you all that they can do.' | | | | good idea of how they would like to have their |
| Lesson: Discuss and think hard about your | | | | hair styled around 4 months to the wedding, this |
| priorities when doing your budget. | | | | then gives not only me the designer and the hair |
| A Wedding Planner (not me!) said 'I wish brides | | | | stylist a chance to give them ideas and for me to |
| knew how important wedding planners really are!! | | | | actually have the hair accessory ready for the |
| Brides just don't understand how much stress we | | | | final hair trail." |
| can take off a bride, especially on the wedding | | | | The general consensus: Basically, know the value |
| day.' | | | | of the supplier's services and that they care |
| Another Wedding Planner (not me either!) said 'I | | | | about the outcome of your wedding and the |
| would like them to know that we put a lot of | | | | quality they produce. |
| time into helping them clearly communicate the | | | | Lesson: Once you have carefully chosen - and I |
| vision for their weddings, and in making | | | | know you will- trust them and communicate with |
| suggestions to accomplish what they dream | | | | them! |
| before we even start charging a fee. I would like | | | | |