I posted a discussion topic entitled as above on an online wedding community for wedding vendors that I belong to a while back. There was a great response and I thought I would share them with you.

What Brides should know……………

A Banqueting Manager said ‘I wish they knew how hard that my staff and I work for each and every one of them! If they knew this, they wouldn’t be so stressed out.’

Another Banqueting Manager said “We find many brides disappointed when trying to find a venue when they set their wedding date before touring venues. We found brides that tour venues and check out dates that are available find their planning process less stressful.’ (Annie says try Weddingdates.ie to find venues available on your day first!)

Another Banqueting Manager said “I also praise those Brides who book well in advance; I believe that there is a certain amount of pleasure to be enjoyed while planning a wedding. Enjoy every meeting, check off the milestones, it’s all part of that journey to that special day! I invite my brides and grooms to meet with their planners and other vendors at our facility.  Their venue to be a place that they are comfortable in, and know that they are welcome to visit.”

Lesson: Plan ahead and once you have booked your supplier, trust them!

An Independent Caterer said “Brides should have a time line. Often they come to me before they have a venue selected. Selecting the venue, garden, home residence sets the tone immediately. Immediately they can deduct from the budget they have. Then seek out a reputable caterer who should do a walkthrough of the venue and get a sense of the bride’s style and personality. A good full service caterer can help select a budget friendly menu with a variety of options.”

A Professional DJ/Wedding Host said ‘I would prefer a bride and groom know and understand the difference between a DJ and a DJ who is also “Professional Wedding Host”.

Lesson: DJs can be more than just a DJ. They can MC and save the Best Man’s nerves!

Full service Bridal Show owner said ‘Brides need a condensed version of things they need to do and know before talking to their first vendor or trying on their first wedding dress. The number of brides who come into my store thinking they have plenty of time to buy/order their wedding dress with only two or three months before the wedding are under a big misconception.’

Another Bridal Shop Owner said “I wish more brides knew that preowned dresses can help them get a quality gown for so much less, AND that if they can let go of their gown quickly after the wedding, they can recoup one of their major expenses and use the money for something more useful in their new life.”

Lesson: Keep an open mind, know your time lines and stay up to date with your ‘To Do’ lists.

An Event Décor and Floral Designer said ‘We wish brides had an idea of what they were looking for in their flowers and decorations and had a budget in mind. That would help us make recommendations that will keep them in their budget and also create arrangements that will provide their desired look for the finished product for their wedding day.’

Another Wedding décor specialist said ‘Bring swatches if you want colors to match; bring pictures of things you have seen that you like, but understand that everything you want may not be available given budget constraints. Think about and talk with your fiancé about what is the most important.’

A Florist said “We wish brides knew too many colors can be like a circus…COLOR PHILOSOPHY – Decorating a space in terms of color we use the 60-30-10 rule divided into percentages for example

60% Deep Velvet Red, 30% Cymbidium Green, 10% Pink Champagne”

Lesson: Know your budget breakdowns and bring in all those photos you have been looking at in the magazines and take advice!

A wedding videographer/cinematographer said ‘I’d like brides to know that years from now, the sound of their parents’ voices talking to them as they get ready – and about them, as well, throughout the day, will be priceless. That grandparents’ advice for long and wonderful marriages, told in their own words and heard in their own voices will be blessings heard again and again;’

Another Wedding Videographer said ‘I’d like brides to know that most wedding videographers haven’t shown your what’s possible, because you’ve been advised to spend far less on a videographer than on your photographer, so that they really can’t offer you all that they can do.’

Lesson: Discuss and think hard about your priorities when doing your budget.

Oh my gosh, that was long. There  are way more but I will save it for another day!

Annie

Live, Love, Laugh and Dream!