Help From Your Friends

Getting help from your friends.

Even the strongest and most independent person in the world needs a little help now and again. We at Daily Milestones are here for you not only when you need help picking out your invitation/announcement cards...we like to go that extra mile and be there for you in other ways as well. Please feel free to join in and give out your free and beneficial advise!

Five Mistakes a Bride Makes.

1. Registry information printed on wedding invitations...this is a mistake that I have seen one to many times. Do not under any circumstance print or attach in anyway where you are registered at on or in your wedding invitation. Registry etiquette is to place this information in your Bridal Shower invitations or by word of mouth.

2. Hiring a photographer with no or little experience...your wedding is very important it is not only something that you have dreamed about for years but a day that you have spent months to sometimes years planning. So, why would you skimp or one of the most important things of your wedding day. You want to get a professional photographer who knows what he/she is doing. You want to have memories that you can look back on and cherish for many, many years to come.

3. Falling for Steep Discounts/Specials when purchasing a wedding dress...brides are often enticed when seeing their dream designer gown at a discounted or special markdown. One of the biggest mistake I have seen brides make is purchasing a gown online or from a shop for a deep discount "specials".

Sample sales can at times be a great bargain, but you must keep in mind that you are typically truly purchasing just that, a sample. Before making a purchase, check the gown very carefully for any damage and if there's anything that can’t easily be fixed, DON'T BUY IT! You could end up spending hundreds of dollars in alterations when you could have found a similar new dress for just a little bit more money.

4. Not making or sticking to a budget...it's your wedding day and you want everything to be perfect! Wedding planning is such a big task not only do you have so mush to do and decide on but as the Bride-to-be you are usually the one who carries most of the stress. And why not this is your day and you want it to be as immaculate as possible. Sometimes no matter how hard you try to stick to your budget unexpected expenses are forgotten such as: sales tax and service charges. When putting together a budget (yes, you do need one) allow yourself a 10-15% over budget allowance.

5. Waiting until the last minute to book your vendors...caterer, florist, photographer/videographer and DJ these should be booked at least 6 -11 months in advance to assure availability.

Questions you should ask your florist.

1. Will the flowers that I want be in season during the month of my event...be prepared to pay top dollar for choosing blooms that are not in season. Do your homework before visiting with your florist. Some florist may not come straight out and advice you on which flowers are in/out of season and will use what you ask for, but it could come with a hefty price. You don't have to give up your dream look. Just ask your florist to recommend finding an in season replacement with a similar look and price.

2. Do you charge a flat fee or a per item fee and will I be charged a delivery fee...make sure you have a clear understanding of all their fees and what all is included in their prices before signing. You don't want any unexpected charges in the end. Your estimate should state all costs and items associated with your package.

3. How long have you been doing wedding arrangements...ask to look at his/her wedding portfolio. A wedding portfolio, because they may have lots of experience in other styles but no in weddings. Which requires a whole different kind of technique. You want somebody that knows how to bring it all together so that it when its all said and done it tells your story.

4. Can you recreate this bouquet I found in a magazine...often times they can but again make sure the flowers are in season. If they are not in season ask your florist what they recommend. You must also remember pictures can be deceiving. What appears to be purple in the photo may actually be blue. Ask your florist he/she will know.

5. Does the florist provide a tossing bouquet or is that an extra charge...while some florist include the tossing bouquet in the package deal others do not. Make sure it is understood by both parties and written in the contract before signing.

How to find the right caterer.

1. Budget...you want to find a caterer that will work with your budget. Call around to 3 - 4 different caterers and tell them your budget, how many people you are expecting and whether are not it will be a buffet or sit down dinner. Then compare cost to see which caterer works best for you. Don't forget to ask if and how many servers will be serving at your event.

2. Check out how they rate...ask to see their referrals and go online to see if there are any reviews on your caterer or any other vendor before hiring them. Another good place to view is the BBB site.

3. Schedule a tasting...it is always a good idea to schedule this months before your event is to take place.

4. Are gratuities included in the price package or is that going to be extra...

you don't want to find out at the last minute that the gratuities/staff cash tip is separate. Make sure all this is clear and in writing before you sign the contract.

5. By when do you need to turn in the finale head count...make sure this is in on time. Most caterers have a deadline for the finale head count. You don't want to pay for more than your budget allows.

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