How to Work Successfully with a Boise, ID Wedding Planner

While many people might not think of Boise, Idaho as a place where people might plan a destination wedding, there are several reasons they might do so. Some brides may have grown up in Boise and are now returning there to have their wedding ceremony close to old friends and extended family, while others may want to get married at the same venue that their parents did or because they fell in love with a locale they can’t find anywhere else. Brides who are planning a wedding in the area may benefit from working with a wedding planner, who can help them find everything from a Boise wedding photography company to a catering company that will fulfill their reception needs. While wedding planners can be a great asset to any bridal couple, there are several things couples should keep in mind when working with one in order to make this very special day a complete success. 

Know What They Can and Cannot Do

While a Boise wedding planner will probably be able to scout venues and vendors for you and work with a decorator to ensure your reception hall is a thing of beauty, you should not expect them to wear every hat or be able to perform miracles. As you interview wedding planners, one of the first things you should ask for is a list of services they perform so that you can arrange other details they don’t handle. While some large wedding planning companies are able to plan almost every facet of a wedding, individual planners or those who only have one or two assistants may be limited in how many details they can plan, so it’s important to communicate to your planner what you need done before they can let you know whether they are able to accomplish it. 

Understand the Cost Before You Shop 

To avoid “sticker shock” when you set out to find a Boise wedding planner, you might want to do a little research before you begin. Because of all wedding planners do, they are usually costly and can eat into your bridal budget to the tune of several thousand dollars. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a planner who fits your budget. Start with local bridal forums online and ask those who have gotten married in Boise recently if they can recommend one that fits your budget. Take your time and start looking for a planner as soon as possible, as many book the year before, especially for the spring and summer, and you don’t want to miss out on hiring an affordable company or individual because you waited too long to contact them.

Listen to Their Recommendations 

A wedding planner usually has a number of contacts that he or she will use in order to help plan your wedding, such as Boise wedding photography companies, local caterers, and bridal gown tailors. He or she will probably recommend a number of different vendors based on who they have worked with in the past, and although you may not agree with every suggestion, it’s important to keep an open mind. Not only do these planners have a great deal of experience when it comes to working with local vendors, it also means they have the inside scoop on which ones have earned the highest ratings and awards. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or feel that you must take every suggestion instantly, but keep in mind that they are most likely recommending them from past experience. For peace of mind, you can always set up an interview with a company representative later on, which is important in the case of someone who will be close to you throughout the day, such as the photographer. Working successfully with your Boise, ID wedding planner can mean the difference between a stress-free wedding and an utter disaster on what should be one of the happiest days of your life.

Choosing a Wedding Dress: Renting vs. Buying

As you prepare and plan for your wedding, you will have to make dozens of decisions before all is said and done, from choosing a Tampa wedding photographer for your South Florida wedding to deciding which wedding planner is affordable for your large wedding in Manhattan. Out of all the decisions you make for your wedding, however, none will be more important than the choices you make regarding your wedding dress. From its style to its color to the retail location you choose, all of the choices you make about your wedding dress will have an impact on your big day. If you’re trying to save money on your wedding, you may be considering a dress rental; however, before you make this choice, you should consider the pros and cons of renting a wedding dress vs buying one in order to avoid having any regrets in the future. 

Buying Your Wedding Dress 

The greatest advantage of buying your wedding dress is that it will be tailored to your exact fit for maximum comfort throughout your wedding day. This is an important factor, especially when you consider that you’ll be wearing the gown for up to eight hours, depending on how long the services and reception are. If you’re having a late spring or summer wedding, you may also have to stand in the sun while you pose for pictures, so you’ll want a gown that fits comfortably. For example, if you’re getting married on a beach in South Florida, your Tampa wedding photographer may take dozens of shots after the ceremony, and wearing a dress that fits properly will keep you comfortable and smiling throughout the photography session, which may take up to several hours. 

Another advantage to buying your wedding dress is that you’ll have a gown to pass down to your daughter or favorite niece when it comes time for them to be married. An heirloom gown is often unique and can be easily tailored to fit any woman’s height and figure. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to store your gown properly to preserve it and to keep it from becoming damaged. This will require proper storage space, which is something to consider if you’re moving into an apartment with limited space after your wedding. 

Renting Your Wedding Gown 

While grooms and groomsmen commonly rent tuxedoes for a wedding, it is less common for a bride to rent her gown because its purchase is seen as an important part of the overall bridal experience. However, if you need to save money on your wedding, then renting a dress will cut costs up to more than half. For example, a dress that costs over $1,000 can be rented for seven days for just a few hundred dollars, and the money you save can be put away for your honeymoon or toward a down payment on a new house or car. Rental stores usually have a wide selection of rental dresses to choose from, which means that you won’t have to sacrifice style in order to save money. 

However, there are a few drawbacks to consider when renting a wedding gown. Most importantly, you will have to be very cautious about not damaging the gown because you will have to pay for any rips or stains that might occur, and if the damage is considerable, you may have to end up paying for the gown after all. Paying for a rental gown also means that you won’t be able to pass your wedding dress down through the family, so this is something to consider if this tradition is important to you and your family. 

Deciding between the purchase or rental of a wedding gown can be difficult, but once you know all the facts, you will be able to make an informed choice that will benefit you and make your big day one of joy, not one of regret.

A Post-Engagement Checklist: What Needs to Be Done After You Agree to Say “I Do”

From the moment you accept a wedding proposal and your fiancée slips the ring on your finger, you will feel a swirl of emotions that will threaten to overwhelm you, and while this is completely normal, it’s important to keep your head and not act on impulses that might affect future wedding plans. To avoid making impulsive decisions right after your engagement, such as jumping online and buying a wedding dress, booking a Sarasota wedding photographer for that destination wedding you’ve always dreamed of, or ordering an expensive wedding folio, there are a few post-engagement dos and don’ts to keep in mind that will save you time, money, and best of all, the embarrassment that comes from plunging into wedding plans too soon.

Whether you’ve been expecting it or it comes as a complete surprise, a marriage proposal can be one of the most exciting and romantic moments of your life. From the moment you accept and your fiancée slips the ring on your finger, you will feel a swirl of emotions that will threaten to overwhelm you. While this is completely normal, it’s important to keep your head and not act on impulses that might affect future wedding plans. To avoid making impulsive decisions right after your engagement, such as jumping online and buying a wedding dress, booking a Sarasota wedding photographer for that destination wedding you’ve always dreamed of, or ordering an expensive wedding folio, there are a few post-engagement dos and don’ts to keep in mind that will save you time, money, and best of all, the embarrassment that comes from plunging into wedding plans too soon.

Do Enjoy the Moment

While your first impulse after accepting the ring will be to call your parents, your friends, and post pictures of your new ring on all your social media accounts, doing so may cause you to miss out on those few special moments that will never come again. Before you let anyone know that you’ve accepted, spend a few quiet moments with your fiancée, and once you do announce your engagement, take the time to simply enjoy all the romance, bonding, and excitement that comes from accepting a proposal. While there is certainly much to be done, from buying your dress to choosing a venue, these are not choices that need to be made right away, and there’s really no need to put undue stress on yourself or your fiancée until you’re ready to make some solid plans. For the first few weeks, put off discussing wedding plans and simply enjoy the sensation of being engaged because riding that wave of romance is something that you’ll only experience once.

Don’t Assemble Your Wedding Party on Your Own 

While you might want to start asking your closest girlfriends to be your bridesmaids right after you get engaged, making wedding party plans without your fiancée could turn out to be disastrous, as he might want to include some of his own family, such as sisters or favorite cousins. While it’s traditional for the bride to choose her bridesmaids and maid of honor, it’s also important to have your fiancé’s input as well and to keep an open mind when it comes to choosing your wedding party. While you might have a few disagreements during your planning, they won’t be as serious as they might be if you try to make all your wedding party plans without considering your partner’s wishes or suggestions.

Do Listen to the Advice of Friends and Family

If you have very specific ideas about what your wedding will include, then you might balk at the idea of taking suggestions about your upcoming wedding from your mother, your aunts, your recently-married female cousin, or even your best friend. However, flat-out refusing to listen to anyone’s suggestions or advice, especially if the advice will help you out financially, may label you as a dreaded “bridezilla” that no one will want to deal with. While you don’t have to take in every piece of advice from everyone who wants to give it, it’s wise to keep an open mind and ear and to let your loved ones help you with some of the planning duties. For example, if you’re having a destination wedding in Florida, you might want to listen about any advice when it comes to selecting a quality Sarasota wedding photographer to ensure your wedding photos are unique as they are beautiful. While there are many things to consider once you’re engaged, the most important is to revel in the moment and truly enjoy one of the most exciting and joyous times of your life.