{"id":6936,"date":"2017-06-05T10:15:20","date_gmt":"2017-06-05T14:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bestforbride.com\/bridal-shop\/?p=6936"},"modified":"2015-12-05T20:40:10","modified_gmt":"2015-12-06T01:40:10","slug":"7-helpful-things-to-know-before-you-start-wedding-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestforbride.com\/bridal-shop\/05\/7-helpful-things-to-know-before-you-start-wedding-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"6 helpful things to know before you start wedding planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that you are newly engaged and\u00a0finished celebrating your engagement party <\/a>with your dear folks, are you all set to dive into wedding planning? Just wait a second! There are certain things that you should be aware of, before you start wedding planning. These will help you save a lot of money, as well as make your planning process a lot easier.<\/p>\n

Today, let us take a look at a handful of helpful tips to use when planning your\u00a0wedding. Trust us, it will save you a lot of confusion and regrets later. And, here they are!<\/p>\n

1.Booking the venue\u2014what to remember<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"castle<\/a><\/p>\n

While factors like matching your wedding theme<\/a>, the ease of reaching the location and number of people it can accommodate are all relevant factors, there are some things to remember,\u00a0if you are on a budget. They are:<\/p>\n

Peak wedding months are expensive<\/strong>: June to August is peak wedding season, and everything is at a premium cost during this time. Consider getting married earlier in the year, when winter is no longer as severe, and spring is just about to arrive. Or, you can consider early fall for your wedding, as venues often slash their prices this time of the year.<\/p>\n

Don’t hesitate to ask for a discount:<\/strong> Don’t assume that the price you receive on your venue is final! Even if it is just falls within your budget, don’t quickly jump at the quote and book the venue right away. Negotiate with the venue manager and find out if there is any possibility of getting it at a lower price. If you are lucky, you may get yourself a better bargain.<\/p>\n

Look at alternatives, before visiting your preferred location:<\/strong> This helps in two ways. First, you will know which option you will consider, should your first choice not work out. Secondly, it allows you to know what else is on offer<\/a>, and make a wise decision based on it. As with anything wedding related, it is a good idea to research and explore your choices before you settle down with what you actually choose for the wedding.<\/p>\n

2.Wedding planner\u2014what are the options<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"shopping\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Booking a wedding planner <\/a>will make your wedding planning a lot easier. However, you should know that there are different options, and depending on what you choose, the service you receive and the price you pay will be different. So, let us take a look at what are your options.<\/p>\n

Event planners:<\/strong> This is the whole package, where the planner will be involved in every aspect of planning your wedding. They will literally do your job for you, and will be responsible for executing everything at your wedding and making sure there are no hassles on the day. Event planners are quite expensive, as\u00a0they will be working on your wedding for several months and you have to compensate them for their time and effort.<\/p>\n

Part-time planners:<\/strong> This is where you do not outsource the entire wedding planning process, but only selected aspects that you aren’t able to handle yourself. This is more budget-friendly<\/a>, as you can delegate the tasks that you do not have the time for, and pay only for it. Since you will be doing the greater share of the work, you will find it much cheaper than booking an event planner. If you are naturally organized and want to personally oversee your wedding details, this may be the right option for you.<\/p>\n

Day-of coordinator:<\/strong> Even if you are handling everything about your wedding yourself, a day-of coordinator should definitely be considered. This is because you do not want to worry yourself with last-minute details on your wedding day. If you want a stress-free wedding day, a day-of coordinator can take charge of managing the various factors on that day. They will see that everything progresses smoothly and as per plan, leaving you to enjoy your wedding as you should.<\/p>\n

Once you choose which of these services meets your needs best, again discuss the charges with the people you consider for the job. Compare the rates for an all-inclusive package\u00a0with one for\u00a0customized services,\u00a0and choose the one that is best for your budget and needs.<\/p>\n

3.Before paying for Wedding Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Choosing between a DJ and a band <\/a>can be really confusing. You may be under the general\u00a0impression that a DJ costs much lesser than a band. However, it can be quite expensive to book a good DJ who can actually make your party come alive. There are ways in which you can get a reasonable quote for a band too, and here are some tips for that.<\/p>\n

Look\u00a0for experienced student groups:<\/strong> If there is a music school in your area, you may be in luck. Student groups are usually energetic, exciting and just as efficient as a trained band in creating a lively party atmosphere. The bonus is that they cost much less. So, if you are up for the risk, look around for such a band.<\/p>\n

Ask for the breakup charges:<\/strong> Instead of just being shocked by the overall quote from a band, ask them for the breakup costs. If it includes transportation, see if you can\u00a0arrange a cheaper alternative and save some cash that way. Also, look at the list of musicians and ask if you can downsize to just those who you actually need.<\/p>\n

4.Before you go wedding shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Cool<\/a><\/p>\n

Wedding dresses are crucial to transforming you into a splendid bride, however they can be quite pricey. Before you step into the shop, do your research and know your options. Here are some ways to make the most of your wedding dress budget.<\/p>\n

Consider more than one style:<\/strong> If you keep your options open, it is easier to find a dress that falls within budget. Do your research ahead of time, and identify which styles will look good on you. Then look at dresses in these styles and choose the one that you are satisfied with, both in look and in price.<\/p>\n

Look at the clearance and sale section:<\/strong> Many bridal shops like Best for Bride<\/a>, will always have dresses on discounts and on sale. Before you\u00a0look at\u00a0the latest collection, it may be a good idea to see what is available in the sale section. You may find a dress that is quite similar to what you love in the current collection, at a fraction of a price.<\/p>\n

Wait for trunk shows:<\/strong> Trunk shows are a bride’s dream-come-true, especially if you are in a standard 8-12 size group. These shows allow you to find the dress of your dreams at a reduced cost. If you are engaged for a year or more, it is likely that you will\u00a0come across\u00a0at least one trunk show during this time. So, call up the boutiques in the area and find out whether they have one scheduled in the near future. Put off your wedding shopping session till after wards, so you can take a chance and hope to find your wedding dress at the trunk show.<\/p>\n

Save on alterations:<\/strong> When you fix your wedding dress budget, you also have to account for the alteration charges<\/a> for the dress. It is highly unlikely that you will perfectly fit into a dress you find off-the-rack. So, you will have to pay extra to alter it to fit you. However, you will have to pay less on alterations if you take care of the following factors<\/p>\n