By Kelli Zeigler
While planning your wedding you will experience a rollercoaster of emotions. To prevent yourself from turning into a stressed-out Bridezilla here are some simple ideas what NOT to do when planning your wedding.
Never choose a dress with the idea you will lose weight to fit in it later.
Never pay vendors with cash. Always pay with a credit card. That way you will always have proof of payment and will be protected under federal credit card laws. If your vendor drops the ball you will always be able to dispute the charges.
Never book any reception hall without visiting it several times. Visit around the time of day you plan your wedding. For example if your wedding is an evening affair be sure to visit in the evening to see the ambiance. A hall in the daylight will look totally different than the evening light.
Never put your gift registry information on or with your invitation as that is tacky
Never work with a vendor or pay any deposits until you have a written contract. Remember to get every solitary detail in writing. Oral contracts often don't hold up. Even if you are hiring a family or friend get it in writing.
Never take advantage of family and friends who only want to help you. This sounds like common sense but when feeling stressed it is easy to forget and will add even more stress to your life.
Never start to plan haphazardly. Get your budget organized first. Do not contact a vendor until you know what you can comfortably afford to pay without going into debt. Tell the vendor your budget and stand firm. Plan around the budget not the other way around by planning the event then trying to come up with money to pay for it.
Never ever, withhold the final payment from a vendor with the idea that this will pressure them to show up. Many vendors have the philosophy that if you do not pay them by the due date, they will not be there.
Never plan a receiving line if you have more than fifty invited guests or you will bore your other guests silly.
Never get bogged down in the tiny details or you will not be able to relax and enjoy your wedding. Just let small things go. You can't make everyone happy with your decisions. Plus if something does not go quite as planned your guests probably will never even know the difference anyway.
Never treat your hired professional help as your slaves for the day They are there to help make your wedding special so just let them do their job. Treat them with respect.
Never believe everything you see on those reality bridal tv show. You can maybe get some ideas but those are staged weddings and often far from reality.
Never be afraid to speak up to your vendors. If you have questions or complaints with some of their plans/ideas, be sure to tell them so. Even though they are professionals that does not mean they know what is best for you. All weddings are unique and there are no set rules.
Never forget to take care of yourself in the weeks preceding your wedding. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, and try to get some exercise. Not only will you look and feel better but also when you feel well you can respond to stress better.
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Kelli Zeigler is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget.
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