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5 Ways To Avoid Wedding Planning Woes |
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You've been planning your wedding for months. You've met with vendors, visited locations, made some decisions, and feel that your wedding plans are finally coming together. How do you know that the people and services you are looking at booking are reputable and will actually provide what's been promised? Here are 5 things to watch out for when dealing with the wedding industry.
1. Check On Your Vendor Through The Wedding Associations
Some vendors appear to be oblivious to what you desire. You may end up with the wrong flowers or be short staffed at your dinner reception - even though you specified how many guests will be attending. To avoid mix-ups check on your choice of vendor with the Association of Bridal Consultants, the Leading Caterers of America and the American Disc Jockey Association before signing any contracts. If the wedding professional you have chosen is not a member of any of these associations, you should definitely get some reference names and numbers of previous clients and call to see if they were satisfied with the service before booking.
2. Don't Rely On Another Wedding Professional's Recommendation
It's quite common to ask your wedding planner or some other industry professional for recommendations on services that you'll need. For example, you may ask the reception manager at the hotel to recommend a cake decorator or a florist - and they will be more than happy to provide you with a list of vendors. However, the problem with this is that more often than not, these referrals are based on kickbacks.
The fact is, many vendors pay a fee to be on the "preferred" list for various location venues. You need to be aware that the caterer, photographer, or whoever the location manager is recommending has most likely paid an annual fee or commission percentage to be put on the list. Unfortunately, being "on the list" does not ensure that you will get good service. Once again, you need to get personal references and do your homework on any businesses recommended by other wedding industry vendors.
3. Anything That Has The Word "Wedding" Attached To It Will Cost You 20% to 30% More
This is important to note - once the word "wedding" is spoken out loud, the cost of any service immediately jumps. Take the time to make a few phone calls with each wedding service you are looking at. First get a price based on a wedding event, then have someone else call a day or two later to get a price based on just a party. You will probably be surprised at the difference in quotes. You could then show up at the vendor's place of business and negotiate the lower "party" price for your wedding.
4. Are You Paying For A Slice of Cake - Or A Thin Sheet Of Paper?
Quotes for wedding cakes can range all over the place. Obviously, the more elaborate the cake, the higher the cost to make it and you are usually charged "by the slice." The problem is - how large is a slice? Slice fees can range anywhere from 75 cents to $20 each, yet that $20 piece of cake could be paper thin. When ordering your wedding cake, make sure that the "slice size" is specified in your contract.
This brings up another question. What if you're getting a friend or family member to make your cake? That should eliminate the "per slice" fee, should it? Not so. The reception location will usually charge you a serving fee based on the number of slices cut and served. Once again, make sure you check up on all these extra details so you aren't surprised with additional charges.
5. All The Little Details Add Up To Big Expenses
You have to be on the ball when booking any wedding services. Ask about every little detail, particularly what is... and is not... included within the services that you are looking at booking. For instance, at your chosen reception venue find out if all the tablecloths, cutlery, glasses and napkins are included within the price quoted or are these extra? Let's say you've rented chair back covers. Did you know that there's a good chance that you will be charged an additional fee to actually have them ironed and placed on the chairs? Another example: the staff will set the tables, but you may get dinged a service fee for the staff to place your centerpieces on each table as well.
Most couples realize the importance of looking over their contracts with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything that has been agreed upon is listed within the contract. However, how many of us actually think to look for anything not included? It's human nature to make common sense assumptions - you're paying the rental fee for cloth napkins, therefore it's assumed they will be nicely folded at each place setting. Will they? Or do you need to pay extra for a "folding fee?"
Be diligent in your research and take the time to get answers to clarify what things may not have been included - and therefore not mentioned by the vendor. It's the only way to ensure that your wedding celebration doesn't become a frustrating "surprise" event that unexpectedly blows your wedding budget sky-high.
Rose Smith owns and operates Wedding Themes and More, a site dedicated to bringing you great theme wedding ideas, bridal advice and wedding tips. She also runs First Step Wedding Planning where you can discover a variety of wedding resources to help you save money, time and energy.
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