| You've been planning your wedding for months. | | | | difference in quotes. You could then show up at the |
| You've met with vendors, visited locations, made some | | | | vendor's place of business and negotiate the lower |
| decisions, and feel that your wedding plans are finally | | | | "party" price for your wedding. |
| coming together. How do you know that the people | | | | 4. Are You Paying For A Slice of Cake - Or A Thin |
| and services you are looking at booking are reputable | | | | Sheet Of Paper? |
| and will actually provide what's been promised? Here | | | | Quotes for wedding cakes can range all over the |
| are 5 things to watch out for when dealing with the | | | | place. Obviously, the more elaborate the cake, the |
| wedding industry. | | | | higher the cost to make it and you are usually charged |
| 1. Check On Your Vendor Through The Wedding | | | | "by the slice." The problem is - how large is a slice? |
| Associations | | | | Slice fees can range anywhere from 75 cents to $20 |
| Some vendors appear to be oblivious to what you | | | | each, yet that $20 piece of cake could be paper thin. |
| desire. You may end up with the wrong flowers or be | | | | When ordering your wedding cake, make sure that the |
| short staffed at your dinner reception - even though | | | | "slice size" is specified in your contract. |
| you specified how many guests will be attending. To | | | | This brings up another question. What if you're getting |
| avoid mix-ups check on your choice of vendor with | | | | a friend or family member to make your cake? That |
| the Association of Bridal Consultants, the Leading | | | | should eliminate the "per slice" fee, should it? Not so. |
| Caterers of America and the American Disc Jockey | | | | The reception location will usually charge you a serving |
| Association before signing any contracts. If the | | | | fee based on the number of slices cut and served. |
| wedding professional you have chosen is not a | | | | Once again, make sure you check up on all these |
| member of any of these associations, you should | | | | extra details so you aren't surprised with additional |
| definitely get some reference names and numbers of | | | | charges. |
| previous clients and call to see if they were satisfied | | | | 5. All The Little Details Add Up To Big Expenses |
| with the service before booking. | | | | You have to be on the ball when booking any wedding |
| 2. Don't Rely On Another Wedding Professional's | | | | services. Ask about every little detail, particularly what |
| Recommendation | | | | is... and is not... included within the services that you are |
| It's quite common to ask your wedding planner or | | | | looking at booking. For instance, at your chosen |
| some other industry professional for recommendations | | | | reception venue find out if all the tablecloths, cutlery, |
| on services that you'll need. For example, you may ask | | | | glasses and napkins are included within the price |
| the reception manager at the hotel to recommend a | | | | quoted or are these extra? Let's say you've rented |
| cake decorator or a florist - and they will be more than | | | | chair back covers. Did you know that there's a good |
| happy to provide you with a list of vendors. However, | | | | chance that you will be charged an additional fee to |
| the problem with this is that more often than not, these | | | | actually have them ironed and placed on the chairs? |
| referrals are based on kickbacks. | | | | Another example: the staff will set the tables, but you |
| The fact is, many vendors pay a fee to be on the | | | | may get dinged a service fee for the staff to place |
| "preferred" list for various location venues. You need | | | | your centerpieces on each table as well. |
| to be aware that the caterer, photographer, or | | | | Most couples realize the importance of looking over |
| whoever the location manager is recommending has | | | | their contracts with a fine-tooth comb to make sure |
| most likely paid an annual fee or commission | | | | everything that has been agreed upon is listed within |
| percentage to be put on the list. Unfortunately, being | | | | the contract. However, how many of us actually think |
| "on the list" does not ensure that you will get good | | | | to look for anything not included? It's human nature to |
| service. Once again, you need to get personal | | | | make common sense assumptions - you're paying the |
| references and do your homework on any businesses | | | | rental fee for cloth napkins, therefore it's assumed they |
| recommended by other wedding industry vendors. | | | | will be nicely folded at each place setting. Will they? Or |
| 3. Anything That Has The Word "Wedding" Attached | | | | do you need to pay extra for a "folding fee?" |
| To It Will Cost You 20% to 30% More | | | | Be diligent in your research and take the time to get |
| This is important to note - once the word "wedding" is | | | | answers to clarify what things may not have been |
| spoken out loud, the cost of any service immediately | | | | included - and therefore not mentioned by the vendor. |
| jumps. Take the time to make a few phone calls with | | | | It's the only way to ensure that your wedding |
| each wedding service you are looking at. First get a | | | | celebration doesn't become a frustrating "surprise" |
| price based on a wedding event, then have someone | | | | event that unexpectedly blows your wedding budget |
| else call a day or two later to get a price based on | | | | sky-high. |
| just a party. You will probably be surprised at the | | | | |