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*
Establish a realistic budget *
Decide how much money
you have to spend along with what each of your parents are willing to spend,
then print out the Budget Planner sheets in the
"Planning" section of this site.
Allow yourself a few dollars over in each section. Try
to stay within your budget.
Financial problems are the #2 cause for divorce in America - Don't start your
marriage out with one strike against you!
______________________
AVOIDING
MIShAPS . . .
* Confirm dates and times *
with all of your wedding vendors by
telephone 1 to 2 weeks before the wedding.
*Don't
assume . . .
that your merchants know you want
to hire them just because you spoke to
them on the phone. A
signed contract
and a paid deposit are your only guarantee!
*
Eat a light snack before you dress *
Don't go down the aisle hungry and weak.
If you're too rushed to eat, put a pack of
crackers in your bag to bring to the church.
(If you're worried about your
figure:
dairy and wheat
products cause a slight
swelling in the tummy area.)
Try fruit, raw veggies or carbs!
*Prepare a detailed outline*
for all the wedding party and family members
of all the events surrounding the wedding - showers, parties, rehearsal
& wedding dates, arrival times and locations. Include a map to all of
the locations if necessary.
* Interview more than one
vendor in each
category that you are seeking *
Don't be in
such a hurry to book that you are not
able to look around for the best prices.
____________________
* Contact a
Wedding Consultant *
Take advantage
of their knowledge of the area merchants,
the quality of their service and their fees.
______________________
*
Use personal items to decorate *
Instead of purchasing flowers and other decorations for your tables, use
items from your home or your parent's home - photos, figurines, collectibles,
etc. Not only will you save money but you will reflect your own personality
and taste.
______________________
*
Make your own headpiece *
While shopping,
try a few on to find one that you like. Stop by a craft store and pick up
a pre-hemmed veil. Add a bow or flowers with a hot glue gun and attach to
a large comb.
When
choosing USHERS
(not groomsmen)
...choose at least one from the bride's
side of the family so that he will recognize family members and friends.
Since the ushers have
more responsibility than
the groomsmen, choose
guys who are responsible,
mature and who will take
their jobs seriously.
Insist that they attend
the rehearsal.
If
you want more than a signature to remember your guests by, have a friend stand
by the guest book and snap candid shots with a couple of disposable cameras
as the
guests
arrive. in.
If
you're unable to hire a
professional Wedding Coordinator,
but still concerned about keeping
order during the processional.
Borrow or purchase a pair of
walkie-talkies.
Give one to the musicians and another to the most responsible of the ushers
or appoint a dependable friend to help out in the back.
First, write out the details of the processional...who walks with who
and when. If you need help with
this task, print out the . . .
Wedding Ceremony Worksheet
Appoint someone to communicate with the musicians when the mothers are ready,
then again when the bridal party is ready and finally
when the bride is ready to enter.
Visit the PLANNING section of this site for more
help in keeping your day an organized
Affair
2 Remember.
