The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.
This weeks Wedding Wednesday post is dedicated to advice from the pros. Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. Why not gain the inside perspective from the professionals who's job it is to not only tackle that daunting task....But exceed everyone's expectations while doing so? Here is a list of do's and don'ts that can get you well on your way to exceeding your own expectations.
DO: HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER! whether it's someone there from day one or simply the day of, you need someone who's sole responsibility it is to execute your vision. Guest what? that person should not be you. Your job that day should be to look gorgeous and enjoy every minute. That can't happen if you're worried that your cousin brought a guest you didn't know about and your friend decided she's a vegetarian that day.
DON'T: Hire your sister's best friends aunt who is really organized as your wedding planner. You wouldn't go to a lawyer for dental work or a dentist when you need legal advice. Having a bad planner can cause even more havoc then not having one at all because they can lead you in the wrong direction and add additional stress. This is one of the most important days of your life, do your research and hire a professional.
DO: Know your budget before you start planning. Think of it as getting pre-approved for a loan. When you know the amount you have to work with you know what size and location of home to search for, right? Well, weddings can be a large investment (in some cases as much as a house). Knowing that number before you start planning can save you a lot of time looking at locations that are out of your reach.
DON'T: Try to fit a square peg in a round hole. Once you have this number, be realistic. Make sure you understand what items are okay to sacrifice and what items are not. Inviting 300 people but only being able to offer them water might not be a great compromise.
DO: Hire a photographer based on style and quality, not on the amount of pictures you get. Guess what, if your pictures are horrible it won't matter that your "package" includes 4 albums and 5 16x20's because you won't want to look at any of them. These are images you will want to share with future generations (if you're lucky). Make sure you hire a great professional who's work takes your breath away and get the correct amount of hours of coverage. If your budget is lower you can always go back and order more albums and prints once the wedding is over.
DON'T: Miss out on hiring a videographer. Yes your photos are timeless, no one would disagree, but when you're old and grey it will be nice to watch a video of what your voice sounded like when you spoke your vows or how hilarious the dance moves where out on the dance floor. Only video can capture this for you.
I hope these tips are helpful, and when in doubt...just ask the professionals, It's kind of what they do for a living. 😉
