Wish Upon A Wedding

There's a new charitable organization called “Wish Upon a Wedding.“  It was started by elite event planner, Liz Guthrie.  Wish Upon a Wedding is America’s FIRST nonprofit wedding wish granting organization producing weddings and civil union ceremonies across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness. With high medical costs and the emotional toll of the situation a real wedding may not be possible for many couples. What better cause for donating wedding services and products or just plain hard cash. So, I am appealing to all my bridal industry friends to get involved by donating your services to Wish Upon a Wedding today. And all the brides fortunate enough to be happy and healthy to make a small financial donation. All the information and the application for Wish Granters AND Wish Receivers are on the website. Chapters are popping up all over the country so please get involved today! 

Speak Up!

Over and over again I hear brides complain about the costs of their weddings. But I have no patience with brides and grooms who don't negotiate (yes ladies you can bring your groom into this). Almost anything is negotiable. The trick is to find out what your 'must haves' are, and use them as bargaining chips. If your venue is offering something you don't want, ask to substitute something of similar value. Often having your groom there allows you to play good bride/bad groom, the wedding version of good cop/bad cop. The bride can wax enthusiastic about the venue, but the groom points out the negatives. This cues the vendor into the fact that you're not going to use them if you have to pay full price for their product or venue. Also If you are a do it yourself-er and making your own centerpieces and favors, when are buying supplies in bulk from your craft store you can often manage to get a nice discount just by asking for one. Don't buy your supplies from a store that specializes in bridal accessories or craft items, they are less likely to discount. So remember, if you don't ask, you deserve to pay full price, just don't tell me about it.