There are several things that a bride should consider when meeting with a wedding planner as well as during the wedding planning process. Below are just a few that will help you along the way.
1. Be Realistic About Your Budget. I know that more so know than ever, brides are very conscious about their budgets and are always looking for ways to cut. What is difficult for any planner is meeting with a bride that has no idea how much they or want to spend for their wedding. If the bride does have an idea, it is an unrealistic idea. If your budget for your wedding is $10,000, having two wedding venues is probably not the best use of your dollars, nor is having a 7-piece band and steak and shrimp for your meal. I always compare this to going grocery shopping. When you go to the grocery store, you have some idea of what you want and can spend. If you only had $150 to spend, why do you have $250 worth of groceries in your cart? Why are you deviating from the list that you should have prepared? Why is everything in your grocery cart name brand and nothing on sale? When you get to the checkout stand, the cashier is not going to just give you the extra $100 worth of groceries. You are going to have to prioritize and decide what is most important in your shopping cart and take it home with you. Your wedding budget is no different. We aren't miracle workers. Yes, we can help you save money, but you have given us a budget and our job is to help you stay within that budget. If you are able to find others to contribute, that is great. If not, then please be flexible and open to other options. We want you to have the wedding of your dreams; it just may have to be on a smaller scale.
2. This Is Your Wedding. One of the questions that brides ask me frequently is, "Am I going to have a say in what is planned and how things are?" I always smile and say, "Of course!" Please know that this is your wedding and not mine. We are simply here to assist you in your planning. I tell my brides that I can plan as much or as little of their wedding as they would like.
3. You Can Catch More With Honey Than Vinegar. I have never really understood the concept of "brideziilla." Yes, I do know what it is and what it means, but I really see no need for it. I understand that you want this to be the most wonderful day for you and your husband-to-be. I understand that all of the decision making and tasks that are involved in planning a wedding can become pretty overwhelming and stressful. If you don't like something or something is not quite done to your liking or how you had envisioned it, please let the vendor know, politely. I will say that again. Please let the vendor know politely. There is no need or excuse for rudeness, yelling, screaming, cursing or any other "bridezilla" like behavior. All vendors have a common goal which is to make this day as fabulous for you as possible. You would be amazed at how giving a vendor can be and is willing to be when treated with respect. Remember; treat others as you want to be treated.
4. It Has To Be A Good Fit For Both Of Us. I love what I do. Being a wedding and event planner truly makes me happy. I have been fortunate to have worked with wonderful clients. What I think that some brides don't think about is that not only does the partnership that we, may embark upon be a good fit for you, it has to be a good for me too. I at all costs avoid any client that I feel is critical, negative, or may have any "bridezilla" tendencies. If the personality of the bride and the planner do not mesh well, it is very difficult to plan a wonderful, magical dream wedding. A stressful, strained relationship between a bride and her planner is not a good foundation for a successful wedding at all.
Planning your wedding should be an enjoyable time. Part of your planner's job is to help make sure that this process is fun and that you have minimal stress.
Lynn White, MBA, is a Wedding & Event Planner in the Washington, DC Metro area. To learn more about Heels Above Weddings, go to http://www.heelsaboveweddings.com
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