saving you money, may cost you more
Everyone (no matter how much money they have) has a budget or total investment in mind when it comes to planning their wedding. Perhaps it’s a total dollar amount and for some people it’s a dollar figure by vendor category (photographer, planner, catering, et al).
Your choices on how much to invest in each area of your wedding is primarily based on personal importance and what you deem is worthy for your investment.
less experienced vendors:
Often less experienced vendors will offer a lower price point when compared to a more seasoned wedding veteran. And it’s understandable to lean towards these vendors because you can save money. The DJ that has great equipment, but really never worked at a wedding. The planner that is earnest, but has no previous experience, nor resources. The photographer that does really great portrait shots, but has never shot a wedding.
It’s your money and it’s your wedding. But before you sign on that dotted line, please take this into consideration.
Sometimes what may seem to be saving you money, may cost your more in the end. We’ve seen it happen too many times over the ten years we have been planning. We watch our brides grow frustrated at the lack of returned phone calls or emails. We watch them be concerned at whether or not this newer vendor will perform what they have promised.
We receive the 2 am emails from our brides…
"I can’t sleep and my mind is racing about Vendor Z because I haven’t heard back from them for weeks. Are they going to show up? And now they are complaining that they don’t have this or that. What should I do?"
It takes all the restraint in the world to not answer, “Why did you hire them in the first place?”
Sure you may save $500 or $1,000 or whatever dollars. What is it worth to you in having peace of mind?
hiring friends as your vendors:
We were just chatting with a 2012 bride this weekend. Her exact words to us were:
"Please blog about NOT HIRING friends as vendors. We were pretty disappointed with our photos."
It happens all the time. A friend is a friend, and it’s hard to mix business with pleasure. Especially if there are problems to discuss.
Read More »last week of wedding planning :: IT’S WEDDING DAY !
Continuing our series of the last week of wedding planning for our very OWN, Kerry Devine.
It’s now THE WEDDING DAY !!!
The Finale …
ps We’ll be posting a wrap up with the highlight photos of the day, the stuff that went wrong and the amazing vendors that made it all happen.
Read More »lisa + jason :: discovery lodge wedding. evansville, indiana
This fabulous wedding was designed by us, but with unique twists from the fabulous DIY bride. Just check out her brooch bouquet that she made herself! We designed the rest of the wedding decor.
photography: jesse daniels photography
wedding insurance…
“Insurance” is certainly not your favorite wedding topic, but an unfortunate reality. Don’t believe me? Call some couples on the east coast this past weekend. Over a year in planning and *poof* a hurricane named Irene comes through and cancels your big day.
There are other super-duper good reasons as well…
- Venue requires additional liability insurance (many venues here locally require this)
- Wedding vendor goes out of business
- State or County shuts down reception venue
- Additional liability insurance to cover private residence wedding/reception
- Additional liability insurance to cover mishaps from guests drinking at the bar (yes, extra…even with licensed bartenders. Remember, attorneys and insurance companies go for the deepest pockets).
- Illness or accidents to Bride or Groom
- Wedding vendor never shows up
- Venue construction prohibits wedding from taking place
- Natural disaster
- Photographer’s storage discs are stolen or damaged at wedding
- Wedding gifts stolen
- Property damage to rentals or venue
Okay, we’re freaking you out! BUT THESE THINGS HAPPEN.
We recommend visiting WedSafe. They have been in business since 1999 and are Underwritten by Markel American Insurance Company – Markel has a rating of “A (Excellent)” from A.M. Best. They are competitive and should be looked at, even to compare to adding an additional liability package off of your homeowner’s insurance.
This is what you’ll want to purchase:
There are ten different levels you can choose from (you can get a free quote online right now without filling out personal information). The average wedding in this area would be looking at $350 – $450. A drop in the bucket when you look at all the other expenses you’ll have.
Just think about it. We’ve had numerous weddings where our clients, HAD they purchased wedding insurance would have been able to recoup some of their money from rental companies and contracted vendors.
ps That photo was taken after quarter-inch hail and thunderstorm came through during dinner at a private, outdoor residence wedding reception. We lost the band because all their wires were submerged in 4 inches of water. Clients would have been able to recoup the rentals, some decor and the band expense.
Read More »recap on the Royal Wedding…
It’s here. The Super Bowl for wedding planners. The Championship Game. The Grand Finale.
Duke William and Dutchess Catherine of Cambridge have tied the knot.
Now there will be A LOT of recaps. Photos of the dress, the wedding cake, the kiss … blah, blah, blah. But that’s not how we roll here at planning…forever events. Nope, let’s talk about things most people won’t say. Out loud.
A few random thoughts:
- Pippa Middleton’s dress, just about upstaged Catherine’s wedding dress (which was perfect for her under the circumstances of getting married in an uber-uptight, albeit beautiful, Westminster Abbey).
- The Priest that was marrying William and Catherine had awful hat hair when he took off that huge hat. It was distracting.
- Loved that William had trouble getting the ring on Catherine’s finger. Wonder if she had some fish and chips last night? Salt does make the fingers puffy. It was a REAL moment.
- When William whispered, “You look beautiful” at the altar, yup. I lost it. Glad I was holding kleenex anyway.
- I think I caught the Queen sleeping during the ceremony. Or perhaps she was intently staring at her lap. Or memorized by her super yellow dress.
- What happened to Prince and Princess title? Kinda a let down with the Duke and Dutchess title, which was a gift from the Queen. This is what you get when you don’t have a real gift registry.
- You know what else was distracting? Some of the most atrocious hats that has ever been seen in public. If some lady sat in front of me at one of the most important weddings of the century, where the guest list had to be pared down to an intimate gathering of 1,900 people (*snort*), there would be a beat down, I assure you.
Lastly on this incredibly long yet exciting day …. special thanks to Lauren Matter, anchor for WTVW Fox 7 AM Evansville who invited me to co-anchor the Royal Wedding Recap. Even though I do a on-air segment weekly, this was super fun and I got to sit at the “big girl’s desk”.
Congrats again to the beautiful couple and England!
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