10 tips from a BrideChilla

Tip number 1: As much as possible, stay away from wedding magazines. You can use them as an inspiration, but not to the extent that you rely on them.  If you know deep inside that you do not have enough budget, try not to look for a supplier from a wedding magazine. (Sorry, just a personal experience) Almost all of the suppliers in wedding magazines are HIGH-END. Take it from me; their rates are one way or another costly.  Look for other resources, there’s the Internet, forums and the Phone Book Directory ! Yes phone book directory- this led me to Great Eastern Hotel! If I get to have my own wedding magazine, I will advertise also the affordable suppliers ☻☻☻ hihi

Tip number 2: Scout. Scout and Scout. Don’t get tempted to book the suppliers you see. Learn how to compare and contrast, and check what they have to offer. Look for reviews first, both good and bad.  

Tip number 3: Ask for a friend who can help you, and not to criticize you. Yes they can share some ideas and advices, but please! Never ever talk to someone who has nothing to say except negative things about your plans for your big day.

Tip number 4: Talk to a former bride and bride to be. Share experiences with them. Take it from me, they can share a lot of ideas and tips with you. 

Tip number 5: Plan ahead of time. Don't be too lax. 

Tip number 6: Learn the art of pencil booking. Price locks are very important with couples who are planning to have a budgeted wedding. Also, if you get to book a supplier 8-12 months before the wedding, chances are you will benefit with their old rates. Most suppliers increase their rates yearly. So example, if you book them on 2011, and your wedding is 2012, your rates are going to be for 2011 rates, even if your wedding is still on 2012. Just make sure to ask your suppliers if they do price locks.

Tip number 7: Buy a clear book, and keep all your contracts handy. Just make sure you do not misplace it. Because if you lose the clear book, then you need to find a way to reproduce the documents and contracts once more!

Tip number 8: DIY. DIY. DIY. If you are really crafty, try to DIY (DO-IT-YOURSELF). IN my case, I am really not that crafty, but due to the means that we have to chomp our wedding expenses, I tried it real hard to DIY things just to lessen our wedding expenses.

Tip number 9: Arrange your guest list way ahead of time. This is one of the crucial things you ought to do a couple of months before the big day. It is not easy to decide whom you need to invite (unless you really have a big budget). So sit down with your hubby to be and discuss with each other who are worth inviting for. Hehe.

Tip number 10: Enjoy the entire wedding planning process. There will be times that you and your hubby to be would fight over small things about the wedding details (haha), but make sure to patch things up. It is not easy to plan for a wedding, so do not carry the entire burden. Both of you should plan for the wedding. Share ideas and support each other. Trust me, planning for a wedding will make your relationship stronger and even better! ☻ 

A tip from a Bridechilla ♥

Just like other hands on bride to be’s; I had a couple of snags and hitches dealing with some of our wedding suppliers. Some would not reply; while others would confirm after a couple of days.  I really dislike it if I don’t get any replies or a simple confirmation about my inquiry. Thinking this is a business, and as much as possible, suppliers should be considered as the backbone of the bride/couples during the wedding preps; and they shouldn’t give problems. While most of the wedding suppliers really know how to take good care of their clients; there are a few who wouldn’t even care if they lose a prospected client.

Yes, being a hands-on bride to be is really not that easy; but it’s not easy as well being a wedding supplier. They have to meet the demands of every couple, and they should always meet and exceed every expectation of their clients. We on the other hand shouldn’t always blame the downfall of every supplier we booked; let’s try to weigh things first, and check what is really the root cause of the problem. Is it really with the supplier? Or the shortcoming is from our part?

If you are ranting about something, try to listen on the other side of the coin. Ranting won’t do any good, as it could turn the worst in you. Try not to be a bridezilla. Now, if you have realized that the shortcoming is really with your supplier, then that’s the time you talk to them without shouting, ranting, and cursing them. Talk to them in a very nice way, and ask for an explanation and for their contingency plan. I bet all wedding suppliers have their own plan B. I know it’s really not easy to encounter problems most especially if you have only few days left before the big day, but remember, every problem has a solution. And mind you, it is easier to solve something if you’re calm. But then again, it’s not easy to be calm, that’s why you need to have someone who can really be there for you (a good friend, family, and the Man up there) and help you patch things up.

So for the entire bride’s out there, big patience is a must too. =) Don’t procrastinate and make sure to plan ahead of time; that way you don’t cram. After all, stress won’t do any good most especially for wedding preps.  Take it from me, because as early as now, I can truly say I am already in a tranquil mode. =) Just waiting for the big day!