Learn from my mistakes and tips.

TIP:  Want a fancy upscale wedding for a reasonable price?
         Have it on a Sunday morning.
         Have a Wedding Breakfast Buffet.
         Do not serve booze.
         You can save up to 75% !

1. Check and double check everything 2 days before.
    No matter how angry they get.
    Check and double check everything the day before.
    No matter how angry they get.

2. CAKE: 
    I gave them a color photo and recipe.

     I ordered  This is what we got

  Notice, no flowers on the cake!  The Wedding Planner had to
  yank some out of the table arrangements.
  But ... the cake itself was heavenly. Guests actually ate it.

3.  MUSIC:  (we had a harp)
     Whatever you do, make sure you actually hear and see
     them in action. Do not accept a recorded tape.
     If they give you a list of songs to pick, make them sign
     the list as part of the contract.
     If you don't ...
     You might not get Here Comes the Bride, we didn't. ( I
     suppose THEY are tired of playing it so many times, but
     for the bride, there is just her one time, and if it is not
     played - it truly leaves a hole in her wedding)
     Even though we picked from their play-list ....
     Strangers in the Night, Time to Say Good-Bye and Sorrento
     were the only 3 recognizable songs we heard.

4.  Check your local liquor laws !
     Because of local Blue Laws, all we had was the Champagne
     toast at 1pm.

We got

6.  PHOTOS:
     Oh Lordy !  Be VERY careful.
     Take your time with this. Make sure of the FORMAT that
     will be used to TAKE the photos. Nowadays, many 
     photographers are using DIGITAL cameras, and your proofs
     will come back wallet sized !  If you want normal proofs ...
     expect to pay hundreds more than you contracted for !
     Digital cameras have come a long way, but in my opinion
     for such a special day, I would opt for normal not digital.
     Also ... know the difference between traditional photography
     and photo-journalistic photography.  Make them show you
     the difference between the two. If you do not specify which,
     you will end up with wedding photos just like everyone else
     has.  It is possible to get both styles, if you know to tell
     them to do it that way.
     Also ... READ THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT !
     Really read it ... every word. Make sure you understand
     exactly what you will be getting.  Do not allow them to rush
     you no matter what. 
     Also ... specify in writing, in the contract, that none of your
     wedding guests are to be contacted (unless you want them
     to be). 

7.  VIDEO:
     Again ... read the contract.  I was told too late that I would
     not be allowed any creative input at all. I would get only 
     what THEY would decide I should get.  If I didn't like it,
     too bad.  I saw only 1 incomplete tape of another wedding.
     The videographer was highly recommended, so I signed.
     The bill had to be be totally paid in order for me to get the
     raw footage. We have not gotten the video yet, so it remains
     to be seen how it comes out.  The raw footage was ok.
     Also ... make sure you do buy the raw footage ! Just in
     case you do not like their finished product, at least you 
     can have it independently edited.
     Also ... make sure there is an agreed upon SPECIFIC
     date that the finished video is to be delivered to you.
     Otherwise, you might find out later that it will be 2 months !
     It does not really take that long to do the work ... all not
     having a delivery date agreement does is allow them to 
     put your work off in order to meet jobs that did require
     specific delivery dates.

8.  Bridesmaid Gowns:
     Try to NOT buy them from a wedding gown store. If you do
     anyway ... only buy what you can try on, purchase and take
     with you NOW.  Orders get forgotten and delayed.  Sizes
     can somehow be totally different ( they can swap tags).

9.  BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE !
     Do you have ...
     The ring?
     The license?
     Small cash for tips?
     Coins for tolls?
     Bride's overnight bag?
     Small powder compact, in case someone sweats?
     Does the groom KNOW how to get there?
     We had none of the above !

10. CEREMONY:
      Be certain to discuss that you know beforehand just
      how long the priest/rabbi/notary is going to take to 
      do it !  We thought we were getting a 10 minute deal ...
      the priest had a different agenda ... like a pre-marriage
      counseling session built into the vows ! ! ! 
      Also ... make sure to have an actual rehearsal ! We didn't,
      and should have ! ! 
      Also ... if it is an outside ceremony ... make sure you 
      arrange for a few fans, just in case it gets unexpectedly hot.
      We didn't, and should have.

Even with all of the above glitches ... the wedding was beautiful.
Go see ...