We know asking for what you want can be tough. But when it comes to sticking to your wedding budget, it’s a must. Negotiating with wedding vendors is a smart way to save money, and after all, you’ll never know until you try

Tips for Negotiating

Do Your Research

Start by gathering multiple quotes to understand market rates better. Sharing other vendors’ quotes during negotiation can encourage competitive pricing.
Pro Tip: Reach out to friends or acquaintances for recommendations and insights on similar services.

Communicate Your Budget

Transparency about your budget from the start reduces back-and-forth. This sets clear expectations and allows for constructive discussions. Vendors might identify areas where costs can be adjusted without sacrificing quality.

Negotiate with Newer Vendors

Newer vendors often seek to build portfolios and gain positive reviews. Being part of this growth can lead to more flexible pricing. In your initial outreach, let the vendor know you’d be willing to let them use photos of their work in their portfolio and that you’ll leave them a positive review after your big day 

Ask for Itemized Quotes

Having a breakdown of costs enables you to identify areas for adjustments. For instance, with florists, you can propose alternatives that fit your budget.

Be Nice and Respectful

Maintaining a positive and respectful attitude fosters a collaborative partnership. Vendors are more inclined to go the extra mile for clients who appreciate their work.

What To Say In Your Negotiations

Our scripts can make this process a whole lot easier. Just ask and you might get what you’re looking for!! Keep in mind, though, not every place will say yes on the first try. You might need to reach out to 12-20 places before finding the right fit for your needs and budget.

Commit to sticking to your budget and get ready to think outside of the box. You’d be surprised what you can get, sometimes even for free!

Negotiating with Non Traditional Venues

Wording to use when you call a park:

“I need a space for a [small/medium/large] gathering sometime in [desired month] Can I make a reservation? What is the cost and how long can we reserve it for?”

Keep calling different parks until you get one in your budget. Some don’t cost anything! 

Savings: potentially save up to $5,000 or more on a venue.

Wording to use when reserving a drive-in location for a tailgate wedding:

“I’m looking for space to tailgate/have an event on [date]. Is it possible to reserve the [lot or building name] parking lot for about xx hours? What is the cost?”

Keep calling until you find a few in your budget, then drive by them and pick the one you like best.

Savings: potentially save up to $5,000 or more on a location.

Negotiating restaurant and venue quotes 

Wording to use when you negotiate a large dinner party with a restaurant:

“I’m looking to host a dinner party/rehearsal dinner for [xx number of people] at your restaurant. Do you have a pre-priced menu including drinks and dessert? We have about $xx in the budget.”

If you can’t find a restaurant within that budget, ask how many they can host at that price. Keep calling different restaurants until you find a match! You don’t have to mention it’s for a wedding reception, but you will want to make sure they will cut a cake that you bring in, how they handle bringing in outside wine (corkage fees?), and any other special considerations. You’ll also want to know if you’ll be the only party at that time, what if any entertainment is booked for that time and any other events happening at the same time.

Wording to use when looking for a wedding venue:

Be prepared to call LOTS of venues until you find a match. More important than the perfect setting is that they can accommodate the number of guests in your budget. After all, the fun of your big day is had with the people who attend.

“I’m looking to host an event for [xx number of people] at your venue. Do you have availability on [date]? Do you require we purchase food and drinks through you or can we bring our own catering and bar? Do you have a pre-priced menu including drinks and dessert? We have about $xx in the budget. How many people can we host for that?”

Negotiation areas may include catering options, liquor choices, and even the possibility of swapping out certain items to better suit your preferences. Remember to Prioritize discussions on restrictions, unaddressed details, and deal-breakers. And, of course, always be kind; your delivery can make all the difference in getting what you want. 

Negotiating with Other Wedding Vendors

Wording to use when looking for a photographer or videographer:

“Capturing our special day is incredibly important to us, and we love your work. However, our budget is limited. Can we discuss a customized package that includes essential moments and perhaps a shorter time frame?”

Most skilled photographers and videographers may have flexible options, and you can negotiate based on your specific needs. You may be surprised by the creative solutions they can offer within your budget.

Savings: Potentially save up to $2,000 or more on photography and videography.

Wording to use when looking for a florist:

“We adore your floral arrangements, but we’re working with a tight budget. Could we discuss more budget-friendly flower options or perhaps a reduced arrangement size while maintaining the overall theme?”

Florists often have various flower options and can suggest alternatives that are beautiful yet economical. Be open to creative suggestions that align with your vision.

Savings: Potentially save up to $1,000 or more on floral arrangements.

Wording to use when looking for a DJ or Entertainment

“We love your music style, but our budget is limited. Can we discuss a scaled-down performance package or explore options like a DJ for part of the event? We want to find a solution that works for both parties.”

Entertainment is a significant aspect of any wedding, and many musicians and DJs are willing to customize their services to accommodate different budgets.

Savings: Potentially save up to $2,000 or more on entertainment.

More Tips to Help You Save 

Efficient Planning for Cost Reduction

Consider consolidating services with vendors offering multiple services. Some vendors may provide a package deal if you hire them for both photography and videography, or catering and decorations.

Savings: Potentially save up to $1,000 or more through package deals.

Exchange Skills for Services

Explore bartering with friends or acquaintances who possess valuable skills. Maybe you have a friend with graphic design expertise who can create your invitations in exchange for another favor.

Savings: The potential for significant savings by leveraging each other’s skills.

Explore Honeyfund for Honeymoon or Wedding Expenses

Don’t forget to check out Honeyfund, where your friends and family can contribute to your honeymoon or wedding expenses. It’s a great way to offset costs and share the joy with your loved ones.

Savings: Honeyfund couples average XX contributed to their account to help offset their honeymoon costs, wedding expenses, or to put towards another savings goal. 

Remember, negotiation is about finding common ground. Stay polite, be flexible, and express genuine enthusiasm for the services you are seeking. The more open and collaborative you are, the better the chances of striking a deal that suits both parties. Happy negotiating!

The post How to Negotiate with Vendors For Your Wedding — and Save appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Your wedding day is a significant moment, one you’ll think back on for years. But the photos you take on that day are the concrete reminders of all the big and small details. They’re not just pictures; they become family keepsakes, connecting future generations to your love story. So, it’s completely normal to take your time in choosing the right photographer, exploring your preferred photography style, and making sure your photos will be cherished for years to come. Whether you’re using a wedding photography professional or a friend and family member with an eye for photography, this guide will help you take the best wedding photos and ensure you have plenty of captured memories to enjoy. 

To help you stay organized and on track, here is a free PDF Wedding Shot List, created with help from a real wedding photographer that you can easily share with your photographer. Download it here.

Plan Ahead

One of the most crucial aspects of ensuring you get the best wedding photos is to plan ahead. A well-organized shot list will be your guiding light on the big day. Collaborate with your partner and your photographer to discuss your expectations and the key moments you want to capture. Create a comprehensive shot list that outlines essential moments like the first look, ring exchange, and group photos. We understand that this can be a daunting task, so here’s a free PDF Wedding Shot List to simplify the process. This resource can be easily shared with your photographer to ensure that no significant moments are missed. 

Choose the Right Photographer

Selecting the right photographer is a big decision. Your wedding photos are the lasting memories of your special day, and choosing the right photographer can make all the difference. If you are planning to use a wedding photography professional,start by doing thorough research, reviewing portfolios, and meeting with potential photographers to discuss your vision. You can use Honeyfund’s Wedding Vendor Directory to kickstart your search! It’s also perfectly acceptable to ask a friend or family member who has an eye for photography and a camera to help capture the moments of your wedding day. Another cost saving tip to consider is to reach out to local art schools to see if a local budding photographer would be willing to photograph your day at a fraction of the cost of a professional. 

Whether you opt for a professional or choose a family member, your photographer should not only be skilled and experienced but also someone who shares your excitement for your big day. Their style should resonate with your vision of capturing the moments that matter most.

Capture Emotions

While traditional posed shots have their place, candid photos capturing genuine, unfiltered emotions are often couples’ favorites. This style, known as ‘documentary-style wedding photography,’ is gaining popularity for its authenticity. Photographers who specialize in this approach focus on capturing the unscripted story of your wedding day without intervening, allowing you to fully savor and preserve these real moments. Choosing natural photography enables you to be yourself on your big day, allowing you to fully enjoy the moment without the constant pressure of a photoshoot.

Scout the Location

Familiarity with your wedding venue can really help you express your photography vision with your photographer so they can capture the best moments.  We suggest visiting the venue ahead of time to find the best photo spots. This way, you can discover the most scenic backgrounds, making sure your pictures capture the venue’s beauty just the way you want.

Be Patient and Relaxed

On your wedding day, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind. With so much happening, it’s crucial to remember to relax and be patient. Allow your photographer to guide you and trust their expertise. When you’re at ease, it shows in your photos, resulting in more natural and beautiful shots.

Remember, while these tips will certainly help you capture breathtaking photos, the most important thing is to enjoy your day and the love you’re celebrating. With careful planning, the right photographer, and a well-thought-out shot list, you’ll have a stunning collection of memories to look back on.

Co-Authored by ChatGPT.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Taking The Best Wedding Photos  appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime. We want to thank our friends at Hilton and the author Kelsey Ogletree for sharing this great content.

At Honeyfund, our mission is to help couples get to happily ever after with money left over. So if you’re considering a destination wedding, we’ve got a tip to make it affordable: Consider an all-inclusive resort. You’ll stick to your budget because everything’s included. And, you get built-in vacations for you and all your guests!

They also make planning a breeze, thanks to:

• Fantasy locations: With stunning scenery and ideal weather, you’ve got a honeymoon destination at your door
• Dream teams: Staff will ensure your wedding goes according to plan, handling everything from photography to decor
• Endless customization: Between individual venues, setups, food and beverage, decor and more, your day will perfectly reflect you as a couple

Say your vows seaside in this wedding gazebo at Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa.

Sensational Scenery

From white sand beaches to aquamarine seas, hosting a destination wedding at a tropical resort has decor in droves thanks to nature’s beautiful scenery. But beyond backdrops so perfect they could be a desktop screensaver, many resorts offer one-of-a-kind venues for all your wedding festivities, from the welcome reception to the ceremony and after-party to the post-wedding brunch. Best of all? They’re ready to go so that you can relax.

For instance, at Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Jamaica, you can host a ceremony against the sweeping arches of a historical 1837 aqueduct, a rehearsal dinner at Three Palms overlooking the picture-perfect Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, or a reception at the restored Rose Hall Great House dating back to the 18th century. The next day, you’ll be post-celebration on the sand.

Planning Made Easy (Sea) Breezy

You may choose to obtain your official marriage certificate at home, then let your all-inclusive resort team source a licensed marriage officiant who can marry you in front of your guests. This way, you’re legally married in the country of your residence but have the luxury of a breathtaking wedding in a tropical location — without the hassle of extra paperwork.

When you work with an on-site team at an all-inclusive resort, no detail is left to chance. The staff works closely with you throughout the planning process to ensure everything is coordinated exactly as you wish. They’ve got years of experience and will know exactly how to keep everything according to plan and on schedule.

You can also choose how involved you’d like the resort to be. For example, Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, offers a range of wedding packages that let you decide how much of the decision-making you’d like to tackle. Up to and including done-for-you packages that can source vendors for everything — from bouquets and wedding cake to linens, chairs, overnight stays, photographer and videographer, live music for the reception and more. All of which adds up to you having more time to relax and enjoy.

From flowers to cake, Hilton’s wedding team can customize decor to your style.

Decor Done Right

Whether you desire an intimate beachside ceremony for close family or a large wedding with all your friends, all-inclusive resorts can help you create the wedding of your dreams. Your wish is their command, from classic white accouterments to Mayan-inspired decor and everything in between.

Depending on the package you select, you’ll have many options for flowers, candles, wedding arches, centerpieces, ceremonial tables, party favors and more. Your resort team can also bring in external vendors to satisfy every decor need on your list.

Kid-friendly or Kid-free ceremony? Hilton La Romana can do both!

Celebrate Good Times For All

When you invite guests to a destination wedding, many will be over the moon to RSVP as the experience will also serve as a getaway for them. This is one reason many couples planning their destination wedding book at sister resorts, which are properties that have both an adult side and a family side. This ensures you can offer guests choices of where to stay that will fit their lifestyle and budgets.

A great example is Hilton La Romana All-Inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic, which allows families to book a spot where restaurants and activities (can you say water park?) are kid-friendly. At the same time, those who enjoy a quieter, kid-free atmosphere can stay within the adults-only part of the resort. It’s the best of both worlds when guests can choose where they stay while remaining connected to the wedding party and guests.

A Honeymoon to Remember

Any of your recently married friends have probably extolled how exhausting a wedding can be. The last thing you want to do post-event is pack a suitcase, and head for the airport. This is another reason booking an all-inclusive resort makes sense. Once you’ve said “I do” and celebrated your special day with all your guests, you can simply relax into an enchanting honeymoon (and perhaps be upgraded to a suite through your wedding package) without having to board another flight. Sink into a beach chair — piña colada in hand, of course — and soak up that marital bliss and all the oceanside rays at the same time.

Make Your Destination Wedding  Memory

From the moment you say “yes,” turn to all-inclusive resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean to make your destination wedding dreams come true.

Say I Do to Hilton’s All-Inclusive Wedding Packages

Start your honeymoon registry today.

Kelsey Ogletree is a freelance journalist covering travel, wellness and food for national publications like Wall Street Journal, AARP, Midwest Living and Conde Nast Traveler.

The post 5 Reasons to Book Your Destination Wedding at an All-Inclusive Resort appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime. In this post, YouTube influencer and motivational speaker, Carrie Grace shares how she adapted to Covid and saved money with a tailgate wedding.

Just like any 2020 wedding couple, Covid-19 forced us to get creative and completely re-plan our big day. This included cutting the guest list which was devastating to us. We wanted as many guests as we could safely allow to attend but, we also knew we didn’t want to spend a ton on a day that would be much simpler than we had originally planned.

With a total cost of $8,500, a tailgate wedding is definitely something to consider. Here’s what you need to know about planning one:

Get creative with the venue

Big, large weddings are out of the question at the moment due to safety and restrictions. And airbnb now limits the number of people using their properties, so anything beyond 16 people requires owned property or finding a venue that works for what your wedding dreams and goals are. Brainstorm venues in your area that may not be in use during the pandemic. A few examples: comedy clubs, baseball ball fields, and concert venues.

Guests faced their cars into a semi-circle to watch the ceremony from a safe distance from one another.

We found a beautiful and very affordable venue called The Victorian in Youngsville, NC. They were super easy to work with and let us have a tailgate wedding, which allowed us to have a higher guest count but also keep everyone safe. Our idea came from asking another venue we were touring if we could have a car parade come wave to us after we got married. The venue owner said it would be no problem, and then we asked would it be possible to just get married out in the parking lot while our friends watched from afar. After they told us yes, we started touring other venues to assess what parking lot would be best for hosting cars and creating a backdrop for beautiful photos. We were able to make the parking lot super pretty by adding an arbor, wedding chairs, and flowers. Instead of paper invitations, we invited our friends via a website we created and asked them to RSVP on there. We were able to fit: the wedding ceremony, toasts, first dance, and cake cutting all into the parking lot easily so that our friends could enjoy the full wedding experience from a safe distance. We then invited relatives and friends who were too far away to join to watch on a zoom call that our DJ managed.

The best part was after the tailgate wedding, we had a smaller dinner with just family and the wedding party which was catered by a food truck. We had everyone spaced and in their own covid families.

The children of the bridal party snapping shots of Carrie’s wedding dress.

Cut photography costs

Give the kids in your wedding party mini cameras. We found some for $20 which didn’t break the bank. This will keep them occupied and create more fun memories for you after you upload their photos too. The kids took amazing photos and felt included in the wedding day as a result.

Skip the expensive cake

We gave all our guests cupcakes instead of cake, which helped us cut down on costs. We worked with Whole Foods to design cupcakes the same color as the bridesmaids’ dresses. They were $7 for 6 cupcakes and people said they were some of the best cupcakes they’ve ever had. You only had to order with 48 hours and the whole process was smooth from start to finish.

Use awesome wedding registries

We decided to use Honeyfund for ours. We are saving up for a honeymoon so it was great to use a registry that converted to cash that we could put towards items we desperately needed, along with saving up for flight and resort costs. This allowed us to save up more and not have unnecessary gifts taking up room in our house.

Borrow jewelry

You can borrow jewelry from a local shop or a friend. A local jewelry shop called Bailey’s Fine Jewelry graciously let me borrow a pair of beautiful earrings for my big day. Ask around to your family and friends or check out a local shop where you live.

Making the best of it

We did our first dance to a song called: Slow Dance in a Parking Lot by Jordan Davis, who surprised us on zoom, which is still so crazy to us! One of the lyrics in the song says, “making the most of whatever we got, even if it’s just a slow dance in a parking lot.” That has been our motto for the pandemic: looking for the bright side and finding the good even when it feels hard. Our encouragement to any other covid bride: is to make the most of whatever circumstance has been handed to you for your wedding. No wedding is going to be perfect, but choose the things that matter most and make those the priority.

Carrie and John with some of their wedding party and guests.

All photo credit: Mackenzie Kern Photography

Carrie Grace is a former teacher turned motivational speaker. She is on a mission to create more compassionate work and school cultures. She has spoken at companies such a Marriott, Target, Jack Daniels, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and many more. She currently lives in Durham, NC with her husband where they blog at The Savvy Simpsons, helping people save money.

The post How To Save Money by Having a Tailgate Wedding appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

That’s why we started a free directory of wedding vendors specializing in at-home weddings, micro weddings, back yard weddings, Zoom weddings, elopements, and weddings off the beaten path. These vendors are committed to making your big day shine, without the $35,000 price tag. (Save that money and build a future with your honey.)

Here are some of our favorites:

Rent My Wedding

Offering home wedding décor kits, Rent My Wedding can transform your home for a virtual wedding look, every bit as special as a traditional venue.

Blooms by the Box

Imagine your bouquet and other wedding flowers ordered online and delivered to your door! Blooms by the Box makes it completely contactless. Get a free, no-obligation quote.

Wanderlust Bay Ministries

Need to ordain a friend or family to officiate? Wanderlust Bay Ministries ordains wedding ministers and helps them perform the most beautiful weddings in the world.

Everything But the Ring

Need to chat with an expert just to get your head around where to start? Everything But The Ring can be your virtual wedding planning consultant.

Browse the full Wedding Vendor Directory to discover more possibilities for your big day. Are you a vendor? Submit your free listing here.

The post Honeyfund’s New Wedding Vendor Directory Focuses on Creative Solutions appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

While it may be completely unlike any wedding you ever imagined, it is possible to go ahead with your scheduled wedding during Coronavirus.

If you and your sweetie have decided to get legally married on your original wedding date and/or during the shutdown, here are some options.

First and Foremost: The Marriage License

If you already have your license, great! Skip to the next section. If you don’t already have your marriage license in hand, you’ll need to contact your local county marriage clerk and find out if the office is open and issuing marriage certificates.

1. Call the county clerk where your ceremony will take place and ask how to apply for a marriage license. You’ll typically need identification, an application form and a small fee.
2. Pickup your marriage license or ask for it to be mailed if you appeared in person to apply.
3. There is sometimes a waiting period, depending on your state.

It’s Easy to Get Married During the Coronavirus Pandemic

With a marriage license, you can easily go ahead with a wedding ceremony and make your nuptials official! Here are the basic steps:

1. Find an officiant authorized to perform weddings in your state. If you can’t find an officiant, a close friend or family member can be ordained online to perform the ceremony.
2. With a laptop, cell phone or digital video camera and an internet connection, stream your ceremony to family and friends watching from home. (Try these breathtaking libraries or classic cathedrals as Zoom backgrounds!) Or, call a local wedding videographer for a more professional streaming experience. Make sure they’re equipped to do the job according to CDC guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.
3. After the ceremony, have your officiant and two witnesses sign the marriage license. Your witnesses can be members of your household or neighbors who watch from outside. You two may also be required to sign, depending on your county’s rules.
4. The officiant will then return the signed license to the county clerk’s office. Congratulations, you’re legally married!
5. About a week later, purchase copies of the certified marriage certificate from the clerk’s office. Call to find out about current wait times.
6. If you’re changing your name, take your marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration office to record the change. You’ll also need an original copy to go to the DMV, the bank, and other places where you plan to officially change your name. Call each office before you go to get up to date guidance on office hours and remote services.

Wow, is it really that easy to get married? Yes! Think of this rare moment in time as an unexpected advantage. The expensive and time-consuming parts of your wedding, venues, flowers, catering and other event logistics, really aren’t necessary to marry the one you love.

The big party can wait — your wedding guests will happily watch your nuptials online and celebrate your union with joy, without the stress of travel or the threat of illness. See our 2020 Wedding Rescue post for more ideas.

Finally, make sure your online wedding registry is ready, so those who want to give can do so easily.

Are you a wedding vendor serving virtual weddings? Submit your info to our free Online Weddings Vendor Directory.

Follow Honeyfund’s Instagram for inspiration, vendor recommendations and more.
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The post Can I still get married during the Coronavirus pandemic? appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Did you know that there’s a new discount pass that can save you some serious cash on your wedding? Our team at Honeyfund is so excited to announce our newest partnership brand: Wedding Price Card. Their mission is to get you closer to your dream wedding, regardless of your budget by bringing you the best of the best at a discounted price.

Wedding Price Card

They’ve carefully selected over 200 vendors to work with because of their excellence in customer service, products offered and stylish results. Their team is constantly adding new vendors and expanding into new cities across North America. Have your eye on a particular vendor? Message their team and they’ll reach out to the vendor to become a partner and if the vendor signs up, you get to save money on a vendor you were already going to work with — sounds like a win-win situation to us.

Wedding Price Card is putting the focus on the couple as valuable consumers. With the increasing inflation in the wedding industry, it’s becoming harder to stick to a wedding budget and still get the wedding you’ve dreamed of.

A membership with Wedding Price Card provides you with:

• Savings up to 25%
• 24/7 Support
• Professional wedding planning advice from The Wedding Pic

Wedding Price Card has brought savings and offers all to one place for couples to access at any time that works for their wedding planning journey. Join the 200,000+ couples who have already signed up and become a member today with a special 15% off of their $29.99 membership when you use the promo code HFXWPC.

If you want to take a peek at their current list of partners, check out their Instagram page @weddingpricecard

If you’re looking for wedding inspo and advice, check out their other Instagram page @theweddingpic

Don’t argue over vendor prices. Save money. Plan better.

The post Save Money, Plan Better with Wedding Price Card appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime.

If you’re like most brides you fall into one of two categories — you’ve been dreaming of your wedding day all your life, or maybe not, but once you met the one you started picturing what that day would look like.

BRINGING YOUR DREAM WEDDING DAY TO LIFE

Maybe you pictured yourself descending a villa’s spiral staircase on the grounds of a romantic vineyard and smiling pleasantly as you navigate past dozens smiling guests on a petaled walkway. Maybe a formal affair is more your style as hundreds of people watch you float down the aisle of a grand cathedral in a sheath gown fit for royalty with your veil dramatically stretching out behind you.

Perhaps you saw the whole ceremony at the foot of a special tree on your favorite hiking path with just your families there. And there’s always the chance that instead of the ceremony you were imagining the raucous celebration that followed or you just knew the city you wanted to be married in.

No matter what you’ve pictured—or haven’t pictured for your wedding, it probably didn’t include the logistics of how to make that happen. Unless you’re a professional event planner, you’re going to need to assemble a team you can rely on. It takes a village, as they say, and that’s why it’s valuable to plan your wedding using local vendors.

Plus, it’s never been easier to simplify the search for local vendors with companies like Brides of Oklahoma providing a vetted list of the best in the local wedding market.

THREE REASONS TO USE LOCAL WEDDING VENDORS FOR YOUR BIG DAY

1, They have experience putting together local weddings.

You can spend your entire engagement learning the technical side of event planning with all the little logistics or you can find an expert to be a partner in the process.

If you host your ceremony at a repurposed warehouse downtown, do you know where your guests can park without getting a ticket? Where do you house dozens of flowers that had to be picked up a day early? What happens if your customized favors arrive with the wrong initials?  Your vendor can help. Your vendors know how to get a street parking permit for your guests, reroute an early flower delivery, and get those favors replaced.  This isn’t a hobby for them, it’s their job. And the wonderful thing about local vendors is that they are passionate about their work and their community, so you are in good hands!

With all this experience comes the access to ideas that even Pinterest hasn’t seen yet! They have their finger on the pulse of the industry and can help you achieve—and maybe even exceed the dream day you had pictured!

Booking a local vendor means you are getting a local expert.

2. They have connections to get you the best deals on the best stuff.

Not only do you get the benefit of their experience, but local vendors also come with lots of wonderful connections for everything you could ever need for your wedding and they can help you get the best price.

You may be thinking a bower of peonies is beyond your budget, but your florist knows where to find a farm-grown selection that’s not open to the public and because they are a regular buyer, they can get you that bower under budget. Whether it’s a photographer who knows where to get the best deal of vintage furniture rentals or a planner who knows which venue will let you set up 24-hours early, they can help you accomplish the job more smoothly than if you were tackling it alone.

Because your vendor works with other vendors in the same community, they can give you the inside track on what might be available and how to get little-known discounts in the process.

3. You can relax knowing you have a wedding advocate.

You have to remember that you’re not just planning a wedding, you’re also planning for your life together and blending two families. You don’t need to spend your engagement, however long or short, being stressed out with all the little details. With a professional, local vendor in your corner, you can relax a little more and try to enjoy the process. A recent industry report noted that 96% of couples planning a wedding said it was stressful and the majority of those people reported experiencing three or more stress-related symptoms.

Additionally, your vendor is your wedding-planning advocate. As lovely as it is to talk about wedding plans with friends and family, they will all inevitably have different opinions on what you should do—and strong ones at that. Your wedding vendors will respect your vision and be excited to help you achieve it with the added benefit of the fact that they don’t get tired of talking about weddings!

FINDING YOUR VENDORS

There are no set rules on how many vendors or what type you need to make your day a success. That’s up to your preference. The goal is to find people that you work with well. There are great resources out there such as Brides of Oklahoma that give local vendors a place to showcase their work and simplify the search for local brides. Find what works for you.

No matter what style or size of wedding you have been picturing, there are local vendors that will be excited to make your vision come to life!

Let Honeyfund bring your wedding dreams to life with a honeymoon registry.

The post Three Reasons to Use Local Vendors to Plan Your Wedding appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

Are you planning to include your pets in your wedding but aren’t sure how to make it work? We have the perfect solution to help take the stress off of your big day and an exclusive $10 off your first booking offer. That way you can enjoy all of the moments without worrying about your pets or breaking the bank.

When you think of Rover.com you probably think of dog walking services or doggy daycare. They are the best, stress-free solution to including your furry ones on your wedding day.

Pets Are Family

Your pets are part of your family, so there is no surprise that you’d want to include them in your wedding day too. Rover makes this possible by providing you with a simple way to find the right person for you and your dog. You can book in advance so all you need to do is enjoy your big day knowing your pup is well taken care of.

How it works:

1. Start your search
   Search for pet sitters that are in or near your wedding location. Check out their profile and reviews to find the best caretaker for your best friend.

2. Connect with a sitter
   Set up a free Meet & Greet with the sitter to get to know them and see how they interact with your pets. It is a great way to help you feel more comfortable knowing your pet is in the hands of someone reliable and trustworthy.

3. Relax on Your Wedding Day
   Enjoy your time without having to worry about how your pet is doing, because you know they’re in the best hands.

The pet sitter will look after your pup(s) to ensure he/she is walked, fed, hydrated and given lots of belly rubs. This gives you the freedom to get ready and enjoy your special wedding day moments.

When it is time for the pets to walk down the aisle or participate in pictures, the sitter is there to provide assistance. Once the picture taking is done, the sitters take your pets back to your house, or to theirs, and continue to check in on them while you enjoy the rest of your wedding night.

Know that Rover has your back

• Background Check — Rest easy knowing that every dog walker on the site has been hand-reviewed and approved by the Rover team. They’ve also completed a general background check.
• Rover Guarantee — Every stay booked through Rover is covered by the Rover Guarantee.
• Reservation Protection — It doesn’t happen often, but if your dog walker has to cancel at the last minute, they’ll work with you to find a new one.
• Cashless Payments — Pay safely and securely—no cash, checks, or tips necessary. Your dog walker automatically gets paid two days after their walk.

Are you ready to check one more thing off of your to-do list and have one less thing to worry about on your big day? We’ve got an exclusive deal to save you $10 off your first booking.

The post How To Include Your Pets On Your Wedding Day appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.

This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime.

Are you planning your own wedding?

Don’t forget your wheels! Wedding cars are as ubiquitous as the three-layered cake couples share on the big day. Which is why you shouldn’t delegate the task or wait to the last minute to have one squared away.

You wouldn’t want to roll into your dream wedding in a Ford Pinto now, would you?

Ride In Style On Your Wedding Day

Here’s a short guide on how to choose the right wedding car. This is a general guide that will work for other people’s weddings, too. Make sure you lend a helping hand by sharing!

Start Searching Early

Whether you are getting a car for yourself or choosing one for an event, the planning should always start way ahead of the time. Before heading out on foot, go online and scour the internet for wedding car hires in your area. The earlier you search for a vehicle, the better your chances are of getting some nice wheels. Try to book a car for one month in advance to avoid any scheduling conflicts. There should be plenty of listings, but you should only aim for the ones with actual reviews and testimonials to make sure you’re hiring a car within the lemon laws.  

Social media, friends, family, and contacts can play a crucial part during your search. Make a list of all potential wedding car services in the area and choose the top five. Call and set up a visit so you can inspect the vehicle yourself.

Time For A Ride

After narrowing down your search, it’s time for you to go to the garage and inspect the wedding car. Check the car history report and any signs of neglect. The last thing you need is a dirty and smelly interior or the car breaking down on your wedding day!

A vehicle inspection is also the perfect time for you to make some measurements. If you’re a bride, make sure the car has enough room for your wedding gown AND the groom! Exotic sports cars are great, and all, but aren’t really wedding friendly.

Your Theme

Does your wedding have a theme? Make sure the wedding car you choose matches your theme. Vintage cars go well with a retro-style wedding for example, and ATV’s have a place in beach weddings. Most car hire services will offer you different options depending on the scenario. Choose the best one that fits you.

Your Style, Your Car

If you love the quirkiness of the VW Beetle and think it matches your style, then go for it! Cars reflect our style more often than we’d care to admit, and your wedding is the perfect day to choose a vehicle that you can identify with. Rent the wedding car of your dreams, because after marriage changes everything, you won’t be able to!

Keep It Local

When looking for a bridal car, you should choose local companies first. The drivers are local, and they would know everything about the area. The drivers have inside info on beautiful locations for photos, places to avoid and the fastest route from the church to the reception.

Renting a wedding car from a local service is also cheaper because fuel won’t be much of a concern. You only go for a car hire that’s out of state if all the local services are booked on your wedding day, or if you have your heart set on a specific car brand. Australians are fans of gambling, in particular slots, which are presented in a wide variety today. There are many reasons to play pokies online in Australia. First of all, it’s fun because the developers use interesting and original stories. Another reason is the ability to win real money. Online pokies have fixed payouts and progressive jackpots that motivate players to bet. Finally, it’s cheap. Old-school slots, as well as modern pokies , have a wide range of bets that satisfy the needs of both newbies and high rollers. All you need to do is choose a suitable game in 777Pokies Casino, make a bet.

Read the Fine Print

Make sure to read the rental agreement and ask questions. Now is the perfect time to ask what other services come with the car, such as a chauffeur, champagne, decorations, and rental duration. Knowing the facts early on will give you enough time to look for a driver or decorate the vehicle.

Now that you have a wedding car booked, fueled and ready, it’s high time you found a willing dance partner! Stop stressing about it. Go out there and get one!

Help finance your wedding costs with a Honeyfund honeymoon registry.

Bio: Sophia Moore is a passionate writer and a blogger leading her own blog at awebtoknow.com. She started freelancing as a way to connect to other people, to reach to their hearts and make a difference with through words. The blog was born out of a pure desire to connect. To have the freedom of writing what really matters, what actually makes a difference.

The post Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Wedding Car appeared first on Honeyfund Blog by Honeyfund.com, the free honeymoon registry.