Mistakes That Will Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 3 "Making Assumption"

Mistakes That Will  Increase Your Wedding Costs, Part 3

"Making Assumptions"

This issue of assumptions is a big one on so many levels of planning!!

What first comes to my mind is wedding flowers.  The shorter the distance your flowers have to fly on a plane the better off your budget will be!  Nature only makes most flowers at certain times of the year and only in certain locations.  

The second thing that comes to my mind is, Venues.  Where do I begin because each venues can vary so much one from another.  The biggest word of caution would be when you hear the word provide.  That is the scariest word in wedding planning in my opinion.  That word provide can get you into so much trouble.  Why??  It doesn't always mean that whatever is provided necessarily comes with the price of the venue.  Look out for hidden fees!  I would suggest you read another of my blog posts to get an in-depth look at what I'm talking about here.  Here's a link to that blog post!  

Many formalwear companies for tuxedos and suits will offer the groom's tuxedo/suit for free if three or more groomsmen rent their formalwear from them for the wedding.  Don't go out and buy a tuxedo or suit if this can save you money.

DJ'S!!!!!  In my opinion this is the most important vendor at your wedding!  Again, this is the most important vendor at your wedding!  They will literally make or break your wedding day.  Get to know your DJ!  Will he or she be more like a club DJ?  That is not the kind you would want for your wedding reception who needs to be able to read the audience (your guests) who will be of all ages!  Does he address the issue of offensive language for young children and other guests who don't want to hear it.  Does he/she ask you many questions about your wedding?  They had better if they know what they are doing.  Do they ask about your story as a couple as well as individuals?

Photography:

If you hear yourself saying, "I have a friend", "We know someone who..". "My cousin is really good with a camera".........please swallow those words right back into your mouth.  Pictures are the only thing that you will have left as a tangible diary of your entire wedding day that will last forever.  Photography is equally art and science.  It literally refers to recording light.  An experienced wedding photographer will be worth their weight in gold.  Do yourself a favor and talk to many photographers because if they don't make you smile during a consultation or an engagement shoot, you might not be comfortable with them on your wedding day!

Feel free to go to our Greatest of Days website and find a hidden planning tip on each page of our website!

As always....

Wishing you the greatest of days!

Please vote for us in the King 5 Best of Western Washington contest in the Wedding Planner category.  Thank you!!

http://best.king5.com/greatest-of-days/biz/627619

What Does A Wedding Planner Do?

This "Vendor Wheel" isn't meant to frighten anyone, but is illustrates just how many aspects there can be to planning a wedding and even after the wedding.  If you have the help of a Wedding Coordinator who can pass on discounts they receive from many vendors, many times those discounts are equal to or more than what you originally pay for a Coordinator.

There is at least one possible vendor missing here.  Can you guess one?

copyright 2011, Greatest of Days.  You may use this by mentioning this business.

As always, wishing you the greatest of days!

Janis Flagg

Greatest of Days
Event & Wedding
Planning and Design
Wedding Officiating

27111 167th PL SE, STE 105-242
Covington WA   98042
Cell:  206-604-1908
http://www.greatestofdays.com/
http://www.greatestofdaysweddingsandevents.blogspot.com

If you are a wedding vendor, join the South King County Event and Wedding Vendors through http://www.meetup.com/
A very special guest will be speaking on January 27, 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkKIjSu9dbA

If you know someone who is planning a wedding, give
them the gift of information by telling them about
Bridal 4-1-1 Wedding Workshops beginning in March 2011.
Creating Memories to Bring a Smile to Your Face for Years to Come!

http://www.bridal4-1-1workshops.com/
http://www.fostergolflinks.com/sites/courses/view.asp?id=305&page=7050
Betta Mansions
1903 Market Street, 
Tacoma, WA 98042

Hidden Wedding Costs!

Sometimes it's easy to not see the forest for the trees. I was at an industry networking event recently and someone asked all of those attending if they had ever seen a wedding start on time. Lo and behold, only another Wedding Coordinator and myself raised our hands. I was surprised at that because I know that this particular group of people had been to literally hundreds of weddings, if not more. I think this goes to show you how just a little bit of extra help on your wedding day can make a difference.

Why would it be important to stay on schedule on your wedding day? Imagine if you will, that you get a late start with your hair and makeup which makes you and your bridal party late in getting dressed. When people feel rushed on top of being caught up in the emotions of the day, crazy things happen all the way from things getting spilled to people falling down. Having to wear a type of shoe you don't normally wear, can contribute to that. When rushed, something is forgotten back at the house causing extra time on the road. If you aren't careful, you will have people running in all directions when you need them together and there for you the most.

I haven't mentioned the hidden monetary costs yet. This is when it gets really scary! If your photographer is waiting for you, you're taking a chance of having them bill you for extra hours because you want them there for your entire reception. You will have to pay them for staying late unless something is agreed to in the contract. Same goes for the DJ and worst yet would be the venue charging you for extra time. In the meantime, your limo driver is patiently waiting to get you to the hotel or wondering if he's going to get you to the airport on time.

Why would a Wedding Coordinator make the difference between things running on time versus running behind schedule? A Wedding Coordinator will create a timeline with built-in cushions of time to make things run smoothly, be in contact with all of your vendors and foresee potential problems among other things. They will also have a bridal "fashion emergency" kit and a number of ways to help when problems arise so that you don't have to interrupt your day with unnecessary decisions. There are ways of dealing with the bridesmaid or aunt who is always running late. Planning in advance of your wedding day can give you more confidence that the key people are right where you need them!

Wishing you the greatest of days!