Resources and notes in case you are considering a similiar endeavor. Shout outs to all the vendors we've selected. Tips and Tricks. (I.e, ramblings at 4:30a.m. when I can't sleep.)
1. It can be done.
2. We found an excellent photographer by posting an ad on Craigs List. Her name is Ai Ling, http://www.lingfoto.com/. She was willing to give us a good deal because it was short notice and she was available. The other folks that responded that were our #2 choice were http://www.graddyphotography.com/, they were very responsive and friendly. In the end we liked Ai's style a little more.
3. Posting an ad on craigs list looking for a photographer yielded over 50 responses. Some were, let's just say, not exactly the style we were looking for. I was going to post some links but I think that might be rude. Example: one person had a big white beard and specialized in nudes and photos of women pregnant and nursing. Another person's website home page featured a bride with goth makeup wearing a lacey dress looking at themselves in a broken mirrore. We got tons of crap. Lots of sorting through.
4. We also found our jazz band by posting an ad on craigslist.
5. Skinny tall men have a hard time finding suits. Chad was drowning in all the suits he tried on. He finally found one at Kuhlman -- http://www.kuhlmancompany.com/ . All their stuff is european cut (i.e. for thin tall people).
6. We got our flowers ordering direct online: http://www.fiftyflowers.com/. They have not arrived yet but so far i have been very happy with the service and the company.
7. We are lucky in that we get to buy our own liquor. Trader Joe's has a nice selection of cheap bubblies.
8. We picked a venue that does not have a set caterer, etc so that we would have more choice. But then we had to decide on everything! I am happy with the venue but overall it's a total hassle to have to figure out things like: where do we get the tablecloths from? (We're getting paper that looks like linen). How do we refrigerate the wine when there is no fridge on site? (still working that out.) And, what bottle of white wine should we buy? (Also under debate).
9. Weddings make people crazy. And the whole industry is crazy as a result. I knew this when we started. This is part of the reason we went ahead with the planning in two months -- to try to minimize the craziness by boxing in the timeline. I have a theory about this. I think it's one of the only industries where the client (the bride, let's be honest) is doing something for the first time ever. In most other industries, buyers learn to be smart by buying something again and again. But because a bride is hopefully buying this big event and all related things for one time only, suddenly there is no learned saavyness about buying. Brides are not looking for deals for the most part, they are looking for the perfect this or the perfect that. It creates an industry where the people that are good and make it easy on the bride can charge a lot. Also there are a limited amount of peak in demand days. Saturday in June? You pay more.
10. Friends have been so incredible in helping us out. Our friend Matt just brought over a playlist of songs for the dance. Bob is helping us with setting up the sound. Andy is videotaping the whole thing. Our neighbor Kari is doing the ceremony. Jackie and Christopher are running a photo area for guests to get pictures. All my girlfriends are going to be there to help set up and for moral support. My mom and sister have done a ton. It has been incredible to get so much help and support. Thanks everyone!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
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