Planning weddings has never been an easy job and when it comes to your wedding, you want absolutely the best. In order for this to happen, you must make sure to hire a good wedding planner. Merely glowing testimonials and recommendations by others is not enough. You need to see for yourself whether the wedding planner in question will suit your needs.

It’s quite a well-known fact that what worked for your second cousin might not work for you!

Of course, the small matter of verifying whether the wedding planning business does exist must come before asking any questions. Here are three questions that you absolutely must ask your wedding planner.

1.    Do I get value for my money? You need to know exactly what you’re setting yourself up for. This helps to ensure that no “surprise” costs crop up out of the blue after you’ve already hired your wedding planner and there’s only a month left for the wedding! Does the wedding planning fee also include the fee of the assistants on D-day? If not, how many assistants will be required and how much will they charge?

2.    Will you stick to my budget and not push me to go (too much) further? Sticking to the wedding budget is a big part of the wedding planners’ job. But sometimes, your wedding budget seems to increase by a whole lot. It’s not hard to make a wedding go over-budget at all! So make sure you hire a wedding planner who makes the budget a top priority.

3.    Are you familiar with the Venue and Vendors? You may have hired the best wedding planner but they might not be familiar with the vendors you want! Also, you need to ask whether your wedding planner is getting a referral fee from the vendors in question, if one company is being pushed at you from all directions, then you know it’s just a back-end financial agreement which is driving this entire transaction. So you need to be cautious about that!

I’m sure that by now you have understood that you can’t rest in peace after handing over the responsibility of arranging the wedding to wedding planners, so don’t forget to get out that old yoga mat you have and de-stress at times!

Wedding Questions

Dealing with stepmothers can be a difficult situation. A lot depends on how the stepmother and biological mother get along. If the two mothers get along than the wedding can be planned however the couple wants. However, this is a rare thing. If there is some problem, the guidelines that follow can assist the stepmother in following correct etiquette for the wedding of her stepchild.

Begin by thinking about what the stepmother should wear. Usually, the stepmother should dress the same way as other guests. The bride may want to include her stepmother in the preparations so it is proper wedding etiquette for her stepmother to wear similar styles and colors as the other mothers. However, it would not be proper for her to dress in a manner that will overshadow the bride or the biological mother.

The next question is, according to proper etiquette, where should the stepmother sit? The bride chooses this but usually the stepmother is seated behind the birth parents, about the third row back. Of course it will be awkward to have divorced or separated spouses sit in the same row but the wedding is not about who is the current wife of her father but rather a family oriented event. Stepmothers do not need to feel badly about their placement in the wedding because wedding etiquette has the birth mother sitting without her current husband if she has remarried.

There may be an etiquette problem when it comes to family photos. The majority of photographers will arrange different shots for the birth parents and stepparents. You will not usually see stepparents and birth parents in the same photo. If this does happen however, the mothers should be put on opposite ends of the picture. It is not strange for a stepmother to not be seen in any official wedding photos so do not take this personally if this occurs. It falls in the range of proper wedding etiquette for stepmothers.

During the reception, etiquette again requires that the stepmother take a back seat unless she and her husband are the hosts of the reception. If the birth mother hosted the wedding and the father hosts the reception, it is proper for the stepmother to take a place in the receiving line if the mother is not present. However, if the birth mother is throwing the reception as well, it is best that the stepmother not attend. Remember that all of these little points are only a guideline so they can be changed and adjusted as long as it is best suited for the bride.

Lastly, what about the family dance? What does wedding etiquette say about this? Proper etiquette has the stepmother bowing out gracefully and allows the bride to share this day with her biological parents. The bride’s father would dance with her and the groom’s birth mother would dance with him. Sometimes if a family dance is provided, stepparents can dance with their own mates.

These stepmother etiquette hints will hopefully allow the stepmother to deal with wedding plans without making mistakes that could hurt or embarrass their stepchild.

Five Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

One of the most important days of your life is approaching–choosing the right wedding photographer can be a daunting task! Certainly, you want the highest quality of wedding photographs without going broke. You are looking for a wedding photographer who is in tune with your wedding style as you imagine your day. You also want a photographer who is professional, experienced, talented, and a pleasure to work with.

Partnering with the right photographer is easy when you know what to ask. Start by doing a quick phone interview of each wedding photographer to narrow down your choices. Find out first if they are available for your wedding day—if they’re not, it narrows things down immediately. Ask about prices, who will be photographing the wedding, what style of wedding photography they use to shoot weddings (black and white, color, posed photos or candid shots).

After you narrow down your wedding photographer choices, you’ll want to set up a date to interview the photographer. In some large companies, the photographer you talk to might not be the one they send out for your event. Make sure you interview the photographer who will actually be at your wedding and see his/her portfolio, in order to evaluate their style.

You’ll also want to find out what happens if the wedding photographer you choose is fired before or right after your wedding date. It will put your mind at rest if you are assured that your wedding will be photographed even if your photographer is no longer with the company and that you will also have access to your photos no matter what the hiring status of the photographer.

Be sure to ask these questions when interviewing the photographer:

1) Experience Level.

On the most important day of your life, you want someone who is an expert at wedding photography to preserve your memories in a professional manner. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you ask your wedding photographer questions about their experience.

Is this a job or a hobby for the wedding photographer?

Do they have formal training or education in wedding photography?

You might be tempted to save money by hiring a novice wedding photographer, but do you want stunning photos that capture your special day or just so-so ones?

Do they frequently photograph weddings?

Some photographers are better at static and posed studio photography than action oriented and “on location” wedding photography. Photographing a wedding involves capturing spontaneous moments, not just poses, so it’s important to have someone who is an expert.

Does the wedding photographer use professional-grade equipment, and do they have back-up equipment available, just in case?

Have they photographed weddings in your chosen location before?

Prior experience in a location gives the wedding photographer an advantage because he’ll know ahead of time what film, filters or flash he/she might need to get the best results.

2) Ask About Their Portfolio.

Photography is an art, so it’s understandable that you may or may not like the style used by the wedding photographer. To make sure you’re going to love the way your wedding is photographed, request to see a portfolio featuring their work.

To make an educated decision, you’ll want to view an entire wedding portfolio from start to finish, not the best few photos from many weddings. Ask what style the wedding photographer uses. Some photographers tend to like more posed shots while others have what is called a photojournalistic style, which involves more candid shots.

Ask if he/she likes to use color photos, black and whites or a mixture. Also, ask if they use a digital camera and retouch the photos to make them black and white, or if they use film.

3) Will They Dress the Part?

Your wedding photographer will be spending a lot of time with you on you on the most important day of your life. It’s crucial that his or her personality blends in, making it a pleasure to have him/her at your side.

If the wedding photographer makes you uneasy in a short interview then don’t hire them for your event!

No matter how charming he is, you’ll want to make sure the wedding photographer will dress the part and look professional while taking those important photos.

Finally, ask about any assistants. Ask if you can meet them and ask about how they will dress and conduct themselves to ensure your wedding goes smoothly.

4) Money and Technical Matters.

Though you don’t want to skimp on wedding photos, it is important to make sure this particular photographer isn’t going to break your budget. Find out ahead of time about how much it will cost to have him/her photograph your wedding.

You’ll want to know how much time you’ll be allotted, and how many rolls of film they’ll take during that time. If the wedding photographer uses digital cameras, ask how many shots they will take to ensure the event is well-documented.

Most photographers offer packages that specify a certain amount of pictures for a set fee. If you don’t see a size of photograph that you want, ask if those packages can be customized to meet your needs.

You’ll also want to ask about the cost of albums and copies, since you’re probably going to fall in love with a lot more of the photos than you bargained!

Ask about deposit and cancellation policies. In order to hold your date, what method of deposit is needed? What are the cancellation policies? If the wedding photographer cancels, will your deposit be refunded?

5) Ask If You Can Get It In Writing!

You’ll want a contract to protect you in case you’re unhappy with the services of your wedding photographer. If you end up going to court to settle matters, the judge will only be concerned with the conditions written in the contract. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you get all of the details in writing.

The contact should include:

Expected services, fees, cancellation policy, fee schedule and all aspects of your photo packages written in detail.

You’ll also want their name and address, as well as your name and address on the contract. Be certain that the contract has a signature and date for both of you and that you receive a copy of both sides.

Wedding Questions

Ready For Marriage? 11 Questions to Ask Yourself Before the Wedding

A newly engaged woman certainly has a lot on her wedding planning checklist: Floral schemes? Check. Fabric swatches? Check. Vegan menu options? Uh..check. Emotionally prepared for wedding and marriage?……….Uh, am I?

Engagement and marriage is one of the most significant psychological transitions in our lives, packed with an assortment of tangled feelings. An engaged woman must face these internal details if she ever hopes to arrive at the altar psychologically prepared to say “I Do.” But instead, the “essential” details of planning a wedding monopolize the thoughts of even the most consciously aware brides. So let’s tear ourselves away from the 5th revision of the seating chart for a moment to ponder just what it means to get married and emotionally prepare for a wedding. Bring your focus back to the real you, and ask yourself these introspective questions before the big day.

To Prepare Emotionally for Your Wedding Day – Ask Yourself:

1. How do you plan to cope with the added stress that comes with planning a wedding?

Your to-list doubles the moment he pops the question, so some added stress is to be expected. Take a deep breath, and mentally prepare for the whirlwind that’s to ensue. As you do this, tell yourself that a little added stress is okay – but losing sight of what’s really important is not.

2. Who will be in your wedding party?

Choosing the women who will surround you on your wedding day is one of the most important wedding-related decisions you will make. This milestone marks a profound personal transformation, and the women by your side on your wedding day should calm and sooth.

3. How can your loved ones best support you throughout your engagement and on your wedding day?

What type or level of support will you rely on during this transitional phase? Will you need help with wedding planning details, or are you looking more for support on an emotional level. After you have explored your wishes, you should share them with those around you.

4. What are you happiest about when you think of your wedding day?

How can you make the most of this excitement and revel in it?

5. What is your biggest fear when you think of your wedding day?

How do you plan to cope with any wedding day jitters or potential mishaps?

6. How do you want to feel on your wedding day?

In such an overly stimulating environment, many brides report having to be perpetually “on” during their wedding, instead of being themselves in the moment. What are your expectations for how you will feel as a bride? How will you deal if the reality differs from these expectations?

Now Dig Deeper – To Prepare for Marriage – Ask Yourself:

7. Why are you getting married?

It’s natural to get swept away in the excitement of getting engaged. But before hopping on the wedding planning fast train, take some time for a gut check and evaluate the reasons behind your engagement. Are you really in love with your fiance? Marriage for any reason other than love – such as a ticking biological clock, financial security, family appeasement, or to avoid being the last lone single in your social circle – is a bad idea.

8. Do you stand to lose more than you gain?

Look at the cost of your current relationship and potential marriage. If you have to sever ties with friends and family or give up a flourishing career, for example, the cost is too high. Once the idea of being married wears off, reality – and resentment – will set in, and your frustration will grow like a cancer to your marriage.

9. How do you see your personal relationships changing after marriage?

Be prepared for marriage to impact the key relationships in your life. It’s natural for your relationship with your parents, your friends and your fiance to evolve with your engagement and throughout your marriage. Determine your expectations, and discuss them with others.

10. How do you see your role as a wife?

Your identity will inevitably change after you get married. How will you transition from the role of girlfriend to the role of wife? How do you see yourself fulfilling your new role(s) as a wife? a professional? a mother?

11. How do you feel about changing/keeping your last name?

Many engaged women struggle with the notion of the impending name change. How do you really feel? If you take his name, what are the implications for your identity? If you decide to keep your maiden name – or some combination of both – what are the potential ramifications? If you’re grappling with this issue, our advice on whether to take his last name or keep your maiden name may help you make a decision.

Still not completely sure if you and your fiance are meant to be? Take this marriage compatibility test to find out.

Wedding Questions

Question by B: Wedding questions?
How much will a great wedding cost?

Can anyone recommend any good venues in Indiana?

My girlfriend had more questions for me to ask but I forgot, I’ll be back.
Good wedding to me is good food, good music, open bar. I know she wants a lot of roses and an amazing dress.

Best answer:

Answer by Lys C
Depends on what is important to you that will make your wedding great!

How can you save on Wedding cost?

1. Avoid the High Season

In case you haven’t noticed, the majority of weddings take place from May through October. So you could save across the board — on limos, photographers and caterers, etc., — by getting married during one of the quieter months, such as January or March, says Carley Roney, editor-in-chief of The Knot Wedding Shop, a Web site focused on weddings.

2. Daylight Savings

Wedding consultants all agree: Reception halls charge the highest fees for 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Any other time is guaranteed to be a bargain. “I always encourage brides to consider Sunday brunch,” says Mimi Doke, owner of The Wedding Specialist in Arizona. “Or, if late-night drinking is important, then go for Friday evening.”

3. Bond With Other Brides

Doke also suggests her clients network with other brides to divvy up the decorating costs at catering halls. “Talk to the bride who is getting married immediately before or after to see if you have similar ideas for decorations,” she says. “If so, you might be able to split the cost.” Experts say reception halls usually recycle the decorations, but charge every bride for them anyway.

4. Cut the Cake

Another unnecessary reception budget-breaker: overloading on sweets. “People really overspend on desserts,” says Marcia French of Stardust Celebrations in Dallas. “They’ll get a three-tiered bridal cake, plus a chocolate one for the groom, and have a full tray of desserts at the reception.” She points out that after a long evening of eating, drinking and dancing, many guests will forego dessert altogether. For smaller weddings, she recommends using a faux bottom for the lower two tiers of the bridal cake: “It will look good for the pictures, and that’s really what matters,” she says.

And for bigger weddings, here’s another trick: Choose a smaller version of your dream wedding cake and then get sheet cake (in the same flavor as the wedding cake) that can be cut in back and served to guests. They’ll never notice!

5. Greens Are Good

And how many of the guests know what kind of flowers are in season at any given time of year? “Stay with what’s in season, use more greens and fewer blooms,” advises Carol Koch Waldmann, a wedding consultant in Natick, Mass. “No one will ever notice.” Roses are always available, but brides should steer clear of floral-intensive holidays such as Mother’s Day, when high demand will drive up costs. Another flower tip from Regina Tate of Regina’s in Nederland, Texas: Don’t feel the need to adorn the church with fresh flowers for the ceremony. “People expect churches to be less ornate, and they’ll spend a lot more time at the reception,” she says.

6. Dress Down the Gown

Assuming that no one at the wedding will be checking out the tags on your bridal gown, the dress can be another good place to economize. Tate says that cheaper fabrics are almost always available for every dress design, and that using a lower-end satin can cut the cost by almost two-thirds. Sample sales and outlet stores are other good bets, and remember, the gown doesn’t need to fit like a glove right away: having a too-large dress fitted will still be cheaper than buying one that’s custom-made. For those who favor less complicated designs, consider using this trick from Erin Smith, a bride-to-be in Boston. “I went to a bridal shop and picked out one of their bridesmaid dresses, ordered it in white, and voila — simple wedding dress,” she says.

7. Do Yourself a Favor

According to Markel, the average number of wedding guests is 157, which means that overspending on seemingly inexpensive items such as invites and party favors can add up to a big hit on your checkbook. “If you use candy kisses in the favor instead of truffles, you’ll save about $3 per bag,” French says. Other experts recommend letting place cards double as favors, or incorporating the favors into a creative table centerpiece of chocolates or candles. One bride French knows used assortments of giant, colorful seashells for her centerpieces; guests loved it. Ann Rinke put a small bowl filled with smooth rocks and a live goldfish on each table when she got married last November. The guests were given plastic bags to take the fish home.

8. Save a Tree

Waldmann, who estimates that most brides end up overshooting their initial budget by about 15%, encourages her clients to think twice before spending hundreds of dollars on a seven-piece hand-engraved invite. The invitation liner is completely unnecessary, she says, as are separate enclosure cards. Keeping it to a single sheet, she notes, saves on the costs of both paper and postage.

Give your answer to this question below!

Bath and soap wedding favors come in many different types, shapes, colors and scents. A bath or soap favor can be luxurious and soothing; and is a great favor for bridal showers, baby showers, bridal luncheons, and even wedding favors. When shopping for bath favors you may not know what the difference between the types of bath favors that are available. Let’s explore the most common of the types of bath favors available on the market today.

Bath Fizzers or Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are more commonly known in the favor market as bath fizzers; however both terms can be used interchangeably. When placed in water the bath fizzer dissolves and effervesces and in some cases adds color, scent and / or other materials into the water. Bath fizzers are normally composed of sodium bicarbonate (or another soluble carbonate) and citric acid (or other organic acid) which creates the fizzing effect when the solid reacts with the water. Bath fizzers usually are a single use shaped tablet or ball. Many fizzers contain soothing elements (such as a scent) and may also contain a cleaning agent (such as sea salt). Many say that the fizzing, bubbling action of fizzers is both tickling and relaxing. There are many exciting bath favor shapes on the market today including wedding cakes, fortune cookies, flowers, shells, and starfish.

Bath Salts

Bath salts are very beneficial as they can be composed of various minerals depending on the origin of them. Bath salts are normally crystalline in composition and a little scoop can go a long way. Bath salts normally dissolve completely in water and change the composition of the water so that the longer a bather soaks – they are less likely to prune or wrinkle. Bath salts soften the water and can condition the skin leaving a silky feeling. Depending on the manufacturer, bath salts can be scented and/or colored as well.

Bath Powder

Bath powder is similar in mineral composition to bath salts and contains the same therapeutic properties. However, bath salts are not crystalline, but rather a fine powder and dissolve much more easily when placed in water.

Bath Pearls or Bath Caviar

Bath pearls are also known as bath caviar. These bath beads are sure to provide a luxurious and indulging bath-time experience. Drop a handful into the tub to release the wonderful aroma and skin-soothing moisturizers as they dissolve.

Bath Confetti

Bath confetti is a paper thin soluble solid bubble bath. When you sprinkle confetti under warm running water the confetti will foam, dissolve and release a scent into the bath. Alternatively, you can sprinkle the confetti on top of the water to enjoy the confetti before it dissolves. This method will not produce foam but will make the bath scented and soft.

Flower Petal Soaps / Rose Petal Soaps

Wafer thin flower petals look just like their real flower counterparts. They can be sprinkled into the bath to create a wonderful floral scent, or can be used as single use soap.

Whatever bath favors you select for your guests, they will appreciate a luxurious relaxing bath after your event. Bath favors are suitable for all ages (including children over 3 – kids love fun bath time!) and are a wonderful treat.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

My mother & her fiance are getting married the 18th of this month. At first, it was going to be her best friend the maid of honor, me & my little sister the braids-maids and whats going to be her step daughter the flower girl. (Im the oldest.)

There just having there wedding at there house, being they just bought a brand new 200,000 dollar house and they didn’t want to spend to much money.

Anyways I was at her house yesterday, and she had to show me the flower girl dress, then she showed me my sisters dress. I never known about my sister getting fixed for hers, nothings been mentioned to be anymore about me being in the wedding.

Now would you feel if your mother done this? Would you say anything to her about it? I dont know if its because Im pregnjust(Im jsut 14weeks and not showing) but this has absolutly made me & my fiance so pissed!

Sorry this is kind of long any help & advice is appericated so much!

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My fiancee is from a city close to Toluca, Mexico. Since most of his family lives in Mexico, we have decided to have a wedding in Mexico. In his hometown, so his family can be there and a smaller wedding here in the states for our friends and family here.
Since I am not in Mexico, I am going to have to hire a wedding planner and enlist the help of a family-in-law member to coordinate with me and keep me informed.
Whenever I talk to him about weddings in Mexico, he says they are cheaper than here. Typical male who is not into details.
So I was hoping somone could tell me about the cost different of weddings in Mexico.
Some of the traditions of weddings that I should know.
And any other information that you may have.

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Do you want to get married in Vegas but are afraid you don’t have that kind of money? Do not worry – there are affordable Las Vegas wedding packages that let you take your vows for a lower price, without sacrificing elegance. Here is how to plan your affordable Las Vegas wedding.

Go for off-season price cuts. Decide when you want to get married. If you are looking to save serious money and you don’t live close to the city, consider going during the off-season. If you aren’t quite sure when the off-peak travel times for Las Vegas are, then call the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce or tourist information center for more information.

Take advantage of package deals. You will need to decide how you are going to get there and where you are going to stay. If you live far away enough to need a plane, try to find a package deal with airfare and hotel. Some airlines offer package deals that come complete with free meals and discount coupons to 3-star Las Vegas hotels. If you can’t find a deal, do some research and find the lowest rates possible. You can also check with your travel agent – they usually know of deals, but never tell you about them unless you ask.

Limit your guest list. Keep your Las Vegas wedding intimate. The less people you invite, the less expensive the wedding will be. Also make sure you tell people that you are going to Las Vegas for your wedding. Explain to them that you would like people to go, but you can’t afford to pay for them. Those who really want to be there for you will go at their own expense.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

I am seriously thinking of becoming one since I have always been good at planning parties, I did plan my own wedding and enjoyed that.
First off, Is it a hard business to start? and do I need to get a liscense? Also, what is it like to be one, is it a stressful job?
I understand that payment is based on just how many weddings you plan a year and usually you get paid a certain percentage of what the wedding cost. but once you start making profit is it really good pay?

Please help me decide if it’s really something I want to do. Also my husband is military, so would it be a problem if I am moving every 2-4 years? I could always stay back for a bit if I am in the middle of planning a wedding if he gets moved somewhere else, but I just wasn’t sure if it’d be a problem.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.