We are up to the challenge and are working new series;
"How to choose and work with wedding vendors, Professionals and service providers."
The series includes information and tips about how to best work with each of them, by category, as well as a comprehensive list of questions you need to ask before deciding on the wedding vendors, Professionals and service providers you feel most comfortable working with.
So, you got engaged and are looking forward with anticipation, to your dream wedding but do not know where to start and what to do. You are not alone! This article is dedicated to the many engaged couples facing this dilemma and those who want to be focused.
To be focused, you must be organized. That is, you must have the things you need when you need them. As you plan your wedding you will accumulate among other items, brochures, phone numbers, vendor estimates and bids, song sheets, contracts, receipts, pictures, contracts and receipts. You'll surely collect pictures of wedding gowns, bridesmaids' gowns, flower arrangements, centerpieces and bridal bouquets, jewelry, photo samples given you by photographers, wedding accessories and other pictures that will help you plan your dream wedding. You'll also need to schedule appointments with different wedding vendors, professionals and service providers.
To be organized you need tools. All are easily accessible and inexpensive. You'll need:
THE CALENDAR
Actually your calendar and to do lists go hand in hand. Not only your appointments but your to do lists are time sensitive and should always be available to you. Whether you need to make a phone contact, set an appointment or go to interview a potential vendor, professional or service provider you need the information at your finger tips. It is better to enter too much information than not enough. If you contacted a vendor, write down your FIRST impression. This will help you later with your selection. If you received recommendations enter them too and so on. Do not forget to mark the calendar with the dates and times of special celebrations honoring you and your upcoming wedding.
THE TO DO LISTS
Planning a wedding is laden with details large and small. You will need to check out many magazines and catalogues, visit wedding related web sites, purchase items, contact a myriad of professionals, set up meetings with your wedding attendants, just to name a few. Always keep your to-do lists with you. Be ready to add your ideas for tasks you need to accomplish and to mark the ones you completed.
THE 3 RING WEDDING BINDER
Using a 3 ring binder for your wedding planning, affords you an easy way to be organized keeping all your wedding information in one place. It also saves you money, time and aggravation. 3 ring binders come with various spine widths from ½ an inch to 3 inches. Choose the one that is right for you.
Since it will eventually become a keepsake, you may wish to purchase a 3 ring binder that has a top window so you'll be able to enter a pretty cover or your wedding picture. In the folder, place top insert plastic sheet protectors to serve as pockets for all the wedding-related papers you've accumulated.
Additionally, insert dividers and a 3 hole zippered pocket for pen, pencils, paper clips, etc...
Mark the dividers tabs with the wedding related category such as: Bridal Gown, Ceremony Site, Reception Site, Catering, Photography etc… with the most active or most current in front, so that each topic will have a specific area in the binder allowing you quick referencing and retrieval.
In addition to sections dedicated to vendors, professionals and service providers, you need to allocate sections to important aspects such as:
To benefit from your 3 ring binder be sure to:
Do not take your main binder with you to interviews. Use a separate binder divided into categories, in which you place all the information, including our articles and most importantly the questions to pose to each vendor, professional and service provider. Keep all the information you collected in any category, so you can make educated decisions based on a comparison of the available packages, prices and services.
What to carry to the Interview
Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview. Have your list of questions to pose to the wedding vendor, professional or service provider with whom you meet.
In order to comparison shop and select wisely, interview at least 3 wedding vendors, professionals or service providers in each category before you choose the one you feel will accommodate you best.
After each interview, insert your notes and answer sheets in your 3 ring binder so they are available to you when you need them.