Introduction xi1 The Seven Steps to an Affordable Dream Wedding 11. Step 1: Visualize 12. Step 2: Prioritize 23. Step 3: Strategize 24. Step 4: Scrutinize 25. Step 5: Minimize 36. Step 6: Maximize 37. Step 7: Itemize 32 Your Wedding Budget and Guest List 91. Preparing Your Wedding Budget 91.1 Prioritize: Ranking your vendors 101.2 Minimize: Your wedding party 111.3 Itemize: Budget and deposits 112. Preparing Your Guest List 122.1 Minimize: Note to parents 152.2 Visualize: Guest wedding favors 15iv Wedding Bliss on a Budget2.3 Itemize: Guest accommodation 163 Working with the Vendors 171. Maximize: Your Search for Vendors 181.1 Strategize: Off-season and off-peak savings 201.2 Itemize: The Vendor Contact List 212. Strategize and Scrutinize: Custom Vendor Contracts 214 Finding the Venue That Is Right for Your Wedding 251. Maximize: Options for Venues 251.1 Home and/or yard 271.2 Public spaces 271.3 Bed and breakfast 281.4 Restaurant 281.5 Winery or Brewery 281.6 College or university campus 281.7 Banquet hall 291.8 Ranch 291.9 Small-town charm and price 292. Strategize: The Outdoor Wedding 293. Destination Weddings 314. Visualize: What You Need to Know beforeContacting Venues 355. Scrutinize: Understanding the Venue Contract 365 Finding the Caterer and the Wedding Cake 391. Visualize: Your Reception 391.1 Strategize: Catering options 401.2 Minimize: Bar costs 441.3 Visualize: What you need to know beforecontacting caterers 451.4 Scrutinize: Understanding the catering contract 462. Visualize: The Wedding Cake 492.1 Wedding cake contract 51Contents v6 Choosing a Photographer 531. Strategize: Let There Be (Good) Light! 542. Visualize: Look into the Future 552.1 Prioritize: Choose your shots 553. Strategize: A Service to Suit Your Needs 563.1 Scrutinize: Assessing a photographer 573.2 Minimize: Getting the job done 593.3 Strategize: The student photographer 593.4 Strategize: Your wedding album 604. Visualize: What You Need to Know beforeContacting Photographers 615. Scrutinize: Understanding the Photographer's Contract 627 Choosing a Florist 651. Visualize: What Looks Gorgeous to You? 651.1 Maximize: Flourishes of beauty 662. Strategize: Going Solo 673. Visualize: What You Need to Know beforeContacting the Florists 694. Scrutinize: Understanding the Florist's Contract 708 Finding a Music Provider 731. Scrutinize: Finding the Talent 742. Strategize: Do-It-Yourself Music 753. Visualize: What You Need to Know beforeContacting Music Providers 754. Scrutinize: Understanding the Music Provider's Contract 769 Selecting Your Wedding Attire and Rings 791. Visualize: Your Wedding Dress 791.1 Custom made 801.2 Off the rack 801.3 Gently used 811.4 Rental 82vi Wedding Bliss on a Budget1.5 Borrowed 821.6 Nontraditional gown 822. Visualize: Bridal Accessories Veils and Shoes 823. Strategize: Hairstyle and Makeup 834. Visualize: The Groom's Attire 845. Scrutinize: Receipts for Attire 846. Visualize: Your Wedding Rings 8510 Wedding Party Gifts 8711 Invitations and Other Paper Products 911. Strategize: A Paper-Free Process 922. Minimize: The Cost of the Guest Book 933. Minimize: The Cost of Wedding Invitations 9312 Official Business 971. The Wedding Officiant 971.1 The do-it-yourself officiant 992. Getting Your Marriage License 993. The Wedding Rehearsal 1004. The Wedding Ceremony 1015. The Wedding Day Transportation 1026. The Wedding Reception 1047. Additional Forms to Help You Stay Organized 105Download Kit 107Checklists1 The Wedding Planning Timeline 42 Outdoor Wedding Checklist 323 What You Need to Ask the Venue Provider 364 Venue Contract Details 385 What You Need to Ask the Caterer 476 Catering Contract Details 487 Wedding Cake Contract Details 52Contents vii8 What You Need to Ask the Photographer 629 Photography Contract Details 6310 What You Need to Ask the Florist 6911 Florist Contract Details 7212 What You Need to Ask the Music Provider 7713 Music Provider Contract Details 7714 Obtaining Your Marriage License 10015 Wedding Day Emergency Kit 105Worksheets1 Rank Your Vendors 102 Wedding Party List and Contact Information 123 Budget the Major Elements 134 Guest List 145 Top 5 Vendor Choices 206 Vendor Contact List 227 Flower Arrangements Needed 708 Wedding Day Transportation Timetable 1039 Reception: Order of Events 10410 Gifts Received 10611 Wedding Party Contact List 106Samples1 Invitation from Bride's Parents 942 Invitation from Bride and Groom 95
