VENDORS, VENDORS, VENDORS

13th: Choose a Reception and/or Ceremony Location ASAP

* It is very common to book a WHOLE year in advance, which was surprising to me when I first found that out.
* Try to choose something under your price range, instead of at your price range. There are always extra fees to factor, or catering (which most venues require a certain catering company).
* Go off of how you feel when you first step onto the property. If you automatically don't like it, don't let it grow on you. Remember that your guests will most likely think the same thing when they first arrive. Don't be afraid to be completely anal about this decision.


14th: Choose a Caterer if the VENUE doesn't offer one

* More people then you think make fast decisions. Don't trust food that sounds good and assume professionals are working on it. Try their food and be critical! Food is one of the most important things! You want your guests to be impressed and have fun! =)


15th: Choose Entertainment

* DJ's/Bands are the next recommended vendor to book
* When I thought of a DJ, I thought of someone hip and young in a nightclub setting. Most times, that is not the case in DJ Wedding vendors, so don't judge how they look right off the bat. Meet them and get a feeling for their style; sometimes great things come in "interesting" packages!


16th: Choose a Photographer

* This can be one of the most important decisions; a photographer captures your day, and you want to remember all those amazing moments!
* Be picky about this decision, and most of all, make sure that your photographer makes you feel comfortable AND makes you laugh. Having a fun photographer is really important or else you may not look like you're having much fun in your photos.


17th: Choose a florist

* Florists can get really exprensive, really fast. Decide what you want from a florist before you have a meeting with them. If you are on a budget, don't just go to a grocery store florist. You can almost always find a small business florist that is the same price as a grocery store florist with much better quality. Don't automatically assume that the grocery store florists will be the cheapest, either.
* If you want to save, use the florist for the corsages, boutineers, and bouquets. If you want the look of over the top centerpieces, have two big arrangements by the alter when you are married and then have them moved to the bridal table.
* If you get bouquet centerpieces for every table, it's going to be very expensive. Choose beautiful, tall vases for the centerpieces; the key is choosing vases that are fairly SLENDER. That way, you can put 1-2 talls flowers in there (such as calalilies), paired with rocks, marbles, and/or pretty, curly branches.
* Or you can choose to decorate the centerpieces of every table with candles or a few flowers floating in a wide short (bowl like) vase.


18th: Choose someone to Marry you and your groom

*If you don't know anyone who is ordained, that's fine, but remember that knowing that person will make it mean that much more. Maybe you have an uncle who is ordained and you didn't even know it; or maybe even a pastor from a church you went to when you were little could be special.