Announcing the Good News

There are several stages to go through. First, you'll be announcing the good news! Make it a courtesy and start with your parents, whether or not they'll be contributing to the wedding financially. If you have children, tell them right away, too, so that they feel they are an important part of this exciting event and that though their lives may be changing, they'll love it! And they will, if you keep them involved.

When choosing your wedding date, give yourself enough time to take care of all the details. Although weddings have been planned in six months or under, the stress factor may not be worth doing it in such a short time. After all, you want to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime day in an unforgettable year.

Avoiding Rush Charges
A span of from nine months to two years is a good planning range, depending on the size and style of the wedding and your budget. As a bonus for planning ahead, you may get a break on some of your costs and avoid rush charges. You'll have time to negotiate, too, when your back is not to the wall and you're pressed for time.

"Nine months to two years ahead is the perfect amount of time to be able to sit down and plan realistically how much you should and can spend on your special day," says Sheryl Turchin of A Grand Affair. "Try not to go overboard with the details right away. Start with the basics like location, photography, videography and flowers. Once that is out of the way, you will have a better idea of how much you can spend to create the special ambiance right for you."

It helps if you and your fiancé discuss your own non-changeable commitments and schedules, as well as those of your respective families. If your intended has a career-making business trip coming up, you'll have time to work around it. And if your mom will be presiding over the "trial of the century," you won't make it hard for her to be part of your wedding.

Scheduling Alternatives
Remember, too, that non-Saturday weddings can be less expensive. "Have your wedding on a weekday," advises Heidi R. Hopp of Tie The Knot.

Many reception sites and vendors offer discounts or "bonuses" for weekday weddings says Helen Walker of San Diego-Coronado Weddings. She also suggests choosing a luncheon reception because 'the cost of the food and beverage is the most costly part of a wedding'. "People tend to drink less in the afternoon, and most reception sites charge less for a luncheon than for a dinner," she says. "This results in a huge savings."

Anseth Richards of Creative Occasions also suggests selecting an alternative season or month rather than peak periods. "You'll save a lot," she says.
Also consider holiday wedding dates as options. They can be a chance for joyous family reunions wrapped into your own special occasion.

Wedding consultants or planners can do wonders toward making your wedding hassle-free. Their experience can steer you toward the right sources and save you time, money and irritation. They'll take you step-by-step through the planning process, asking you detailed questions along the way to ensure you get the results you want.

"Hire an experienced wedding consultant who is very knowledgeable about the San Diego wedding market," says Beverly Conte of Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC). A consultant who knows a large number of wedding vendors can direct you to those who provide the best value for the dollar."
Jane Schlosberg of Jubilee Events says that a wedding coordinator can be very helpful in assisting you to choose what may impact your budget the greatest: the location. "The coordinator can offer location choices in San Diego to fit any budget." She adds: "It is important not to compromise the day by charging your guests for valet parking or having a cash bar. To stay within your budget, you may want to host the cocktail hour and then provide wine with dinner."

Preventing Last-Minute Problems
Also, no matter how organized you are, you're likely to forget some important details on your wedding day. After all, you don't do this every day. Your consultant however, does; she or he will be right there with you, through every event, to prevent errors and last-minute problems. While initially it may seem like an added expense, hiring a consultant can end up saving you money (and your sanity) in the long run.

San Diego wedding consultants offer more advice on how to get the most value for your money when planning your wedding. "Do lots of research," says Richard Van Cleave of V.C. Productions. "Do an analysis of your wedding, what you wish you could do and what would be practical to do, decide what's important to you then work up a budget and find the right vendors in your price range."

Set A Style and Prioritize
Joan Whalen of The Bride's Maid advises couples to set a style and prioritize. "Put your money to good use. Do not compromise quality for a lower price whenever possible," she states. Cutting back the expense of top professional vendors or a desired location could diminish your expectations."

Cristin Sequoia of Lasting Impressions adds: "Spend your money on what will enhance the mood you are trying to create. For example," she explains, "if you envision dancing the night away with your family and friends, allow a high percentage of your budget for reception entertainment and less on other elements. However, if you see your dream wedding as an intimate evening gathering aglow with candlelight and roses, you may wish to spend more for extensive decorations and save costs by having a cocktail reception instead of a formal sit down dinner."

Additional Tips
Anseth Richards of Creative Occasions offers additional cost-savings tips. "Pay for expenses with one credit card that is associated with a frequent flyer program," she explains. "You can easily track all your expenses and pay for honeymoon airfare! In addition, try to keep attendants to a minimum, host an elegant brunch or tea rather than a seated dinner with no frills, borrow a special car from a friend for your grand departure, and use alternative accessories such as your grandmother's heirloom lace linen, toasting goblets and cake knives for the cake table to personalize the occasion."

True, it's your wedding, but this is a special day for parents, too! Their baby (no matter what the age of you or your fiancé) is getting married. But by allowing them to be a part of the planning, you will make your day much richer and more meaningful. Even if your parents are divorced, widowed or remarried, you can find ways to make them all part of The Big Day.

Getting It in Writing
When you go through this magazine, you'll often see references to signing contracts. This is your best guarantee that everything will be as you agreed with your vendors. Spell out everything in each contract: the food; the decorations; the silverware; the types, color and amount of flowers; exactly who (by name) will be your dj or band; if any substitutions are made, anywhere, you need to spell out exactly what is admissible as a substitution (grey tablecloth instead of pink, name of alternate dj-you get the idea). You don't want any surprises on your wedding day. And no shortcuts-read the contract before you sign it.

"If you don't spell out every detail in your contract, you may not have any recourse if your bouquet does not have the flowers you ordered," warns Elizabeth Kantorovich of A Classic Occasion. "Find out what is included at your reception site before hiring outside vendors. Some locations include the cake, linen selections, candles and more. By planning wisely, you can have the wedding of your dreams."