Hiring Your Major Services

Avoid the pitfalls that can arise from using non-professionals for your wedding. The consequences of hiring non-pro's is that you don't know of the bad news until it's too late. For example: the reception is starting, but nobody chilled the champagne or no one brought the ice. The videographer's battery quits halfway through your procession, or the photographer runs out of film just as you cut your cake. The list goes on and on.

The most important thing for you to do on the day of your wedding is to relax and enjoy. Just rely on the wedding professionals listed in this guide, as they are acknowledged leaders in their areas of expertise, to help you plan ahead and to know "your day" will be problem free.

Questions & Answers

I have received a wedding invitation with a card included that says "within the ribbon"? What does this mean?

Lucky you! "Within the ribbon" cards are usually enclosed in invitations for an honored guest or relative of the bride or groom, so that they receive preferential seating for the ceremony. At the church you will find the first three or so rows in front cordoned off with ribbon or tulle. Take the card with you to the ceremony, show it to the usher and be will seat you in one of these rows.

My fiancé and I are planning to marry in a year and a half. Is it too early to begin looking for my bridal gown?

The sooner you begin the better. By shopping early, you have the opportunity to thoroughly check out the market and possibly find the wedding gown you want at a discount. Take into consideration that it will take approximately four months from the time you order your gown until it arrives. You will want to allow a minimum of three weeks for alterations. If you are planning to display your bridal portrait at your reception, you will want to have the dress fitted and ready to wear at least six weeks before your wedding. To avoid stress, it is best to place your order at least seven or eight months before your wedding day.

My Fiancé and I are trying to plan a nice wedding but we have limited funds. Our caterer suggested a "cash bar" for our guests as a way to save money. Is this considered tacky? What if my fiancé and I buy the first round of drinks, then let our guest pay for any other drinks they want?

A cash bar is never considered proper etiquette. Neither is the "partial cash bar" which you are suggesting. However, you could have an open bar for a "cocktail hour" before the meal is served thus limiting your expense. Additional ways you can cut your alcohol expenses and still have an elegant reception are: First, serve only "soft" liquor such as beer, wine and champagne since these are less expensive than "hard' liquor. Second, you might consider having an afternoon reception, since people tend to drink less during the day. Third, ask your caterer to close the bar 30 minutes to one hour before the end of your reception.