Some brides have an exciting and successful experience planning their wedding and reception. In fact, a number of them are so enthused that they decide to start a career as a wedding consultant.
Others, in today’s world of easy publishing (blogging), feel that their body of work qualifies them as some kind of wedding expert.
The only thing that irks me more are the various message boards for engaged brides where the unwed advise the unwed on decisions they have made, but not experienced. These brides recommend vendors they have hired who have not yet performed work. This ‘feel good’ about one’s own decision is surely not a sufficient basis to make a recommendation.
But I digress.
Thanks to DJ June Hoffman for bringing this latest gem to my attention. This Budget Bride blog is well-intended and some interesting posts. However, the weaknesses in particular post about 10 Ways To Save On Wedding Music are replicated in other posts, such as 10 Ways to Cut Back on Catering.
Have a buffet reception: Buffet receptions usually cost less than table service, despite the fact that no less food is involved. Sure, buffets are considered to be more casual, but who needs an ultra-formal, stuffy celebration, anyway? Plus, giving your guests more of a choice of what to put on their plate is always a good thing!
Any self-respecting catering professional will tell you that the reverse is true. Buffet receptions cost more than table service, not less.
Generally speaking, my concern with money-saving and DIY tips is that the recommendations are made in a vaccum. I rarely see context provided for the ramifications of any given decision. For virtually every decision made (particularly regarding the reception) there are other outcomes, some unintended.
So, knock yourself out and give this item a read. Always remember that brides come into your place of business having read all kind of advice. Make certain you’re ready to address their issues and try to stifle your laugh.
Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority
Great Post Andy,
very well written and I love that you took a positive stand!!
This sparked a great idea for a post on my blog!!
Wedding vendors, professional wedding vendors, the ones that have done it day in and day out should want to blog more… There are not enough wedding vendors out there blogging and sharing some real information that could actually help the brides that really need it.
That’s why it’s so easy for some one-timer to get a blog and actually feel that they are doing a good deed, when in reality they don’t have all the facts straight. Nevertheless, they don’t know what are some of the actual options a bride may have, depending on her wedding budget.
Frank
Glad you’re inspired.
Don’t forget to five me credit for that inspiration!
Andy
I’ve found that teaching the future generation of event planners via internships and “hands-on” experience has been the best way for them to understand all the intricacies of event planning. Most of my students have learned there is ALOT more to it than they thought, especially dealing with the little challenges that can come up along the way.
There is a huge difference planning your own wedding when you get to make all the decisions versus trying to guide/assist a bride that has their own ideas and are working with a limited budget.
Dianna
Dianna,
I think your reply summarized the key issues, brilliantly.
Thanks,
Andy
Perfect timing Andy!
This past weekend I had the experence of my career, i’ll back up and say that i have created my own mess in my small town by offering a decorating service and a coordiantor service, which unfortunately for me get blended together and I don’t get compensated for coordination work.
The couple that I speak about asked some questions and then opted out of the coordinator service. During the ceremony (I was at the back waiting to pick up the flowers after the service) witnessed the mother of the bride and MOH jump on the backside of the bride as she went to go sign the papers.
I stayed put knowing that something was wrong, turns out the patch of fabric that covered her bottom ripped off and she was not wearing underwear, so the first 8 rows got an eyeful.
After the prosession out of the church the bride asked for help and I ALWAYS carry “stuff.” There I was up the back of her dress fixing her issue, when I told my husband this he said the most profound thing “How do you sell someone an aspirin when they have never had a headache?”
Love that man
Great work Andy keep writing
Janice,
A great visual with a terrific punch line.
Now, if we only had a photo…
Andy
There might be, stay tuned.
Everyone in town is talking about it, she is a great person and she handled it very well, so i don’t doubt that someone took a photo.
Janice
Thanks in advance.
Curiosity demands this
Andy
Well said, Andy
There’s an explosion of wedding planners in the UK right now (every new bride is a wedding planner) bless them.
Thank you
Bisi