| Oh, my Gosh, you're engaged! Congratulations!!! | | | | They know how it goes. |
| Now what? Wrong. Do not go to the store | | | | It's a great idea to have a preliminary conversation with |
| immediately to buy wedding books and magazines. | | | | a wedding planner. If it's not a consultation to find out if |
| - First take a little bit of time and enjoy being engaged. | | | | you want to work with this person for the whole |
| Revel in the wonder that you and your beloved are | | | | shebang, but just a meeting to plan the planning, you |
| really going to have a life together. Inhale, exhale! | | | | will pay for this. But it might be a sound investment. If |
| - Then consider what sort of marriage you'd like to | | | | you have some clarity about the kind of marriage you |
| have together. Sit with a big ol' blank sheet of paper | | | | want, and a notion about the kind of wedding you |
| and dream. What are your goals? What are your | | | | want, a wedding planner can get you jump started |
| values? What might you promise one another? | | | | with a list of "whats and how tos." They know the |
| - Consider what time of year you'd like to be married | | | | timing as well as the process. |
| and think a little bit about what sort of place (a | | | | If you want to work with a WP through the process, |
| wedding ceremony venue and a reception venue, or | | | | they can be as involved as you want them to be. Do |
| one place?), how big a wedding, and whether you | | | | you want them to execute tasks or direct? Do you |
| want a religious or civil ceremony. | | | | want them along as you talk to vendors, or just to give |
| - Think seriously about what kind of money you'd like | | | | you good suggestions? Do you want them to be |
| to spend on your wedding. Before you talk to your | | | | involved with the moms or just the two of you? |
| parents about help, consider what seems appropriate | | | | And then, on your big day, your WP will make sure the |
| to your goals and values. | | | | vendors are where they're supposed to be, the |
| - OK, now you can buy a magazine or two. | | | | checks are in the right hands, that you get pushed |
| - Buy a big notebook with some dividers. Not all your | | | | down the aisle at the right time. They know how to pin |
| lists can be kept on your laptop... although I admit most | | | | on corsages. They have the extra safety pin and |
| of mine were kept there, and it worked great for me. | | | | bobby pin that someone is going to need. They have |
| - Then consider whether or not you want to talk to a | | | | the photography list and the seating charts. |
| Wedding Planner or Bridal Consultant to look at the | | | | Some of you may want to do this all by yourselves. |
| process of planning a wedding. WPs are organized | | | | That's great. And if you're going to use a book, find a |
| and they know the process from start to finish. You | | | | darn good book written by a wedding planner. But |
| can read 8 books, and spend about the same amount | | | | consider whether you want an extra Auntie or Uncle |
| of money you would spend on a 2 hour meeting with | | | | along to make your wedding just sparkle. By the time |
| a WP that will fill up that notebook with assignments. I | | | | you're done getting married, you're going to have a |
| admit I sort of think of them as wedding midwives. | | | | friend for life! |
| They see a lot of weddings transform into marriages. | | | | |