We are seeing more and more the word cheap on bridal forums. Please understand that cheap means bad, not good. When you are posting a request for getting your hair and make-up done but you only have a budget of £50, it really is not going to happen, and anyone offering it at that price is either not properly trained or just starting out, neither of which bodes well for your wedding day. If you want experience and quality, you will have to pay for it. But you need to talk to these girls! Just open your mind, explore all avenues and plan.
A pet hate is cheap photography. We see so many times in the industry distraught couples who have no good pictures from the day because they booked the 'budget' £350 all-inclusive package. Again, not everyone can afford the £1500+, but if you are talking to photographers then take a good look at their work and more importantly how they interact with you. This is not just about price. Do you feel comfortable with them? Are they offering to do a free engagement shoot with you beforehand? You get used to your photographer, they get used to you and you get a chance to practice those all important poses. Trust me, learning how to stand correctly is a skill all its own.
Remember that you get what you pay for. None of these guys are ogres -- talk to them, tell them what you want and what your budget is. If they cannot help you, they will recommend someone who can, or knowing them as I do, then will bend over to try to accommodate you if it is within their price range. Communication is key! No more cheap!
6. Diary! Buy one, write in it, stick to it. Plan backwards from your day, and mark everything in it that needs to be done and by when. Don't put things off, or they will all build up and the day will suddenly be upon you and you will be spending the week before rushing around doing the essential things!
7. Don't ignore your partner! Remember he/she is the reason you are doing this. Try to make decisions together and try to have fun planning. Don't drag them around wedding fairs if they would rather be doing something else. Go yourself with some friends, and take everything home for them to look at. Some brides/grooms feel a little intimidated at wedding fairs; after all, this is personal to you.
8. Take time out for you two. Nothing is worth the amount of stress this could potentially bring to your lives. Have set times during the week when you can talk weddings, and definitely have at least one day when it is off the agenda!
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