by Michael Brito
Even in the bridal industry, there will always be shady people who might be looking to take advantage of a young couple getting married. It could be a wedding photographer who nickels and dimes for every little thing, or even a high priced wedding consultant who has dollar signs in her eyes. To avoid any misunderstandings, headaches and really bad experiences, follow these tips below and you're wedding planning will be worry-free, for the most part.
Establish a contract; this is really a no brainer. If you are dealing with a reputable business, you will find that this is often standard procedure before engaging in any business. Remember; do not to assume anything, always read the fine print and the terms and conditions. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do not sign anything until you full understand what you are signing for.
It is also important to consider cancellation policies. What happens if you wish to cancel a service you have booked? Will there be fees involved? Dear God, what if the wedding is called off? You have to be sure that there is an escape clause for extreme circumstances such as these. As much as we don’t want to think such horrid thoughts, things do happen all the time.
When dealing with caterers or reception facilities, find out if there are additional fees for set up and clean up. Do not be afraid to ask about charges for cake cutting, coat rooms and corkage fees. All costs should be itemized in the contract and request that no additional fees are to be added after these fees have been agreed upon.
Be sure to inquire about overtime fees. Whether this is for your reception, limousine service or any other service on the day, you do not want to be slapped upside the veil with an unexpected charge for overtime fees. Play it safe and find out what options you have if your wedding runs overtime. Nine times out of ten, they always do.
Be cautious of a deal that seems too good to be true. If you shop around, ask questions and do your homework, you should have a general idea of how much a certain service will cost. If you find an offer that is suspiciously cheap, don't be afraid to ask why. Most likely, it’s not too good to be true; rather, the service is simply horrible.
Double bookings can sometimes happen, particularly during the peak wedding seasons. If you know that another wedding is booked for the same day in the same room as yours, be sure that you specify your exact time, from which hour to which hour you require the room. Remember to allow for enough time to clean-up between weddings. Hopefully, someone on staff will manage their time effectively to avoid any awkward situations. Where possible, it is advisable to work with a professional wedding photographer who specializes in weddings. Don’t settle for a friend’s – cousins – best friend who happens to shoot photography as a hobby part time. A professional photographer will have the experience to beautifully capture your wedding day in each picture taken.
Don’t be obsessive, don’t compromise, don’t forget about your budget, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just because you are planning the most important day of your entire life, don’t get too emotional and do not be pressured by slick vendors or high pressure sales tactics. There are enough quality wedding professionals to choose from – you do not want to regret one of these decisions later.
