Amanda’s Wedding Advice List
1.
Get an email address exclusively for wedding
planning, contacts and such things.
a.
Google Drive is a great way to share files and
ideas
b.
Google Voice will give you a free number. I use
mine as a contact for RSVPs and the wedding website.
c.
Google Inbox (new service) is a better way to
manage emails, set reminders directly to the emails and other things.
2.
WeddingWire.com I have found to be the
best phone app and website for managing guest lists, timelines, budget tools
and general information.
a.
WeddingWire has great reviews on vendors all
across the world. Every single one of the vendors I used had many great reviews
on WeddingWire. The same people didn’t have the knot accounts, or few reviews.
b.
The budget app is so much better and more
flexible, you can export and import from Excel as well.
3.
The Knot, while not being as good a website, has
good articles on planning and advice.
a.
Also has community boards (like Cleveland proper
area, or west side) with lots of great people who are willing to help out and
provide recommendations based on their experiences. There is one for everyone
there.
4.
Good place for invitations online
a.
Annsbridalbargains.com
b.
InvitationsbyDawn.com (great quality,
inexpensive)
c.
Both these places have samples kits you can order,
usually for free (with offercode).
5.
A wedding website is smart, because then people
won’t bother you all the time.
a.
Keep information as you make decisions up there.
b.
1&1.com will give a domain name for 1$.
c.
SquareSpace will give you 20% off per month, and
you can do it monthly for as long as you need it, not yearly for like 8$/month.
Super easy to use, great support.
d.
Coupon Code: RoosterTeeth
(not 100% sure but I can look it up if that doesn’t work)
i.
You get a free 14 day trial (no credit card
needed).
ii.
It’s super easy to link a domain to their site
too.
6.
General Advice
a.
Follow the timeline (makes things easier)
b.
Don’t stress too much (you can only try)
c.
Get a venue first.
d.
Have fun! (Try more cakes because you can, and
dresses, and invitations).
e.
Figure out what’s important to you in the
wedding and budget those first (i.e. photographer, cake, food).
f.
Keep your family feeling involved (they
sometimes feel sad and neglected because they can be far away).
g.
Off-season wedding not May-September are
cheaper, make sure you ask for better/discounted rates.
h.
Wedding Prices are about one of the only things
where bartering is normal. Don’t be afraid to argue prices, you’ll save a lot.
7.
Specific Items/Advice
a.
Depending on the location, venue+ location is
cheaper. For a standard banquet hall it usually runs the same. However nicer
venues usually have their own caterer. (WeddingWire usually tells you if they
have a caterer themselves or not).
b.
The more you don’t care about things and trust
your vendors the more you’ll enjoy the day off. Since and dance, laugh, write
down all the little moments you had.
