Brides Helping Brides ™ - Feeling frustrated and alone...

toninrob Posted: Oct 25, 2008 02:44 AM

Feeling frustrated and alone...

Hey girls,

I am feeling very frustrated with the whole wedding planning experience. I have been engaged for about 2 months now. We have the church and venue booked but nothing else. The wedding is in July of 09. I have had the worst time trying to find a photographer that I like who is available on my wedding day. I have been second guessing my choice of venue constantly. My fiance keeps offering to help by calling limos or hotels and then not doing it. We are fighting because he tells me he'll do things and then he doesn't. I am overwhelmed by the amount of work this is taking because I am trying to research and plan this wedding while working full time and going to graduate school full time, nevermind all of the day to day stuff that needs to get done. I don't have any friends who are married to get recommendations from for different vendors that I need to book and I feel like I am just doing this blindly. Every day, running off and eloping on the beach somewhere is looking more and more appealing.

Thank you for reading and if you have any words of wisdom, please send them my way.

XOXO

ILOVEBRIAN2008 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 07:35 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

thats what this site is for!

whats next on your list?

Go to 'vendors helping brides board' and post that u are looking for a photographer that is available on your date and they will respond, then u can make a post on brides helping brides asking if anyone has used those photographers and search their name and see if someones proofs comes up

This site is how i found out about all of my vendors and i did a lot of searches, it made it a lot easier for me to find and pick my vendors

SFAR89 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 08:14 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Yes, you have come to the right place. I am glad you found us!!! This site has helped many a 'frustrated and alone' bride. :)
Don't worry, we can help you with everything you need to know.

You can do a 'search' on here for vendors and recommendations.

Where do you live??? Maybe someone can give you some ideas who live in your area and have booked some people near you?

Don't stress. If you are getting stressed out this early in the wedding planning, you are going to drive yourself nuts.

You have plenty of time, and you definitely can take it one step at a time. If you want, call my photographer marcophotoinc.com

I don't know if i have heard his name on this board, so he may not be as popular as some of the vendors on this board, but his work is beautiful.

Your wedding is far enough away that you should be able to find someone. I think maybe you should start with the vendors everyone uses, and if you don't find any, just do a goole search for vendors online. And go from there.

:) Hope you calm down, and understand that it will be okay. :)

MrsInglima Posted: Oct 25, 2008 08:52 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

I'll third the sentiments of the other girls and say this is what this website is here for (because you're not alone, obviously a lot of other girls feel that way too)! Start posting threads asking for information on vendors you are looking for. Put some specific requirements out there and you'll get recommendations from the girls on here. Good luck!

dedecakes Posted: Oct 25, 2008 09:15 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

You definitely have to do some research on here. There are so many resources available on LIW (not just vendors, but us girls). I hadn't the slightest clue as to where to start with planning a wedding. After researching on here, I am practically finished with all of my vendors. Don't try to do everything at once. That's impossible.
I also got myself a wedding planner that tells you month by month what you should be planning/booking. It helped out a lot!!!

Don't stress. You will find a photographer. Just make sure you don't wait too long since that is a popular day to get married (711). I agree with all the girls. Send out a post to vendors helping brides. You'll get a lot of feedback. GL!

PrincyJo Posted: Oct 25, 2008 09:25 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Don't stress.. go to Vendors Helping Brides.. that's why they're there. Try to make a timeline and set goals for what you'd like to get done. July is popular, so people book early BUT there are so many great vendors out there, you will find people. Also find a few ppl you know can help you out and will take the time to (mom, family, bms). I'd get on the photog and the music first. And your dress if you haven't already done so. It is a lot to do, but you will get it done. Def. go to the VHB boards though!! Have fun with all the planning.. in the end it will all be worth it.

queensora1980 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 01:30 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

bkbaby4life Posted: Oct 25, 2008 02:08 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

there are so many good photographers on this website. go to vendor helping brides and post a request for your date.

then do your dj (Or band)

then your flowers

once those are booked you can worry about all the other things: dress, limo, invitation, hotels, tux, bm dress.

make urself a 'to do' list and prioritize everything so you know what you need to do and when.

coldasice217 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 02:26 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Don't fret, I was/still am in the same situation. This site is a great resource for finding a multitude of vendors you otherwise wouldn't have known existed.

In terms of FH, take my word for it, just make the appointments and tell him at the beginning of the week what the schedule is going to be. Do NOT give up control of this. Especially if you're not feeling comfortable with your timeframe. I have 5 more months of planning time than you do, and I freaked because FH was dragging his feet. It almost blew up in our faces recently. You definitely don't want to miss out on an opportunity to book with someone you like and is still available, so believe me, just take the matters in to your own hands.

Good Luck!

Karsav7096 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 05:39 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Take a deep breath and relax!!! It is OVERWHELMING no matter what time frame your dealing with. I have found the girls on here are very helpful and full of good advice.
My friend planned a beutiful wedding on her own in 6 months. I myself am stressed because the only thing we booked so far is the RH. Good luck and we are here for you!!!

MsPotterhead Posted: Oct 25, 2008 07:48 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Breathe!!!
You have plenty of time to get things done. All of us have gone through it. Put together a list of photographers, call and see if they are available. If some are booked, that's great! That's a smaller amount you have to interview! If you find 3 that are available, make appointments and meet with them. Pick one, and don't doubt your decision.
The Harbor club is beautiful, don't doubt your venue. You booked it, its done, and it will be great.
We booked everything at the last minute and were happy with all of our vendors. We literally booked our florist 3 weeks before the wedding!!!! I don't recommend doing that, but it was not a big deal, and it worked out.
I can make some recommendations to you -- the first on each category are the ones we used, and the ones below are people we liked, but didn't use.

Photographers:
Infinite Images
Shira Z

DJ's
FM Entertainment
Spin Around Sound

Florist:
Stefans -- Excellent!!

Hair/make-up:
Khoulouds Beauty - Kacey and Zoraida
Jen the Hair Genie
Christine from Head Rush

Put FH in charge of Limos, and make him do it!

I know your stressed, but it will all work out! good luck, and try to have fun!

GinaZ Posted: Oct 25, 2008 08:02 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

sorry you are getting annoyed. But this site is def a huge help!! Maybe you could look into hiring a wedding coordinator if you are really worried about getting everything done. Or just come on here and ask for recomendations.

KiTTeN0819 Posted: Oct 25, 2008 08:05 PM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

What style of photography are you into?

Some popular photographers are:

Thomas Paul
Golden Moments
Angelica Glass
Blue Daisy
Duet
Velvet

FM me if you need help with anything.

sophisticat13 Posted: Oct 26, 2008 01:40 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Don't worry, we are all here to help you!!
Check out our photog, Michael Rosengard...he does beautiful work

click

After you book your photog, check out flowers. here are some popular florists/floral designers:

Lovin Oven Floral Designs (we used them and are STILL getting compliments about our CPs!!
Definitely check them out..

Burton's
Sugar Magnolias

Then book your music and go shopping for your dress, invites, etc.

And by the way...it is perfectly normal to fight more often with FH during this time....as you are finding out, planning a wedding can get pretty stressful!! Post on here to vent whenever you need to!!!!

FutureMrsG Posted: Oct 26, 2008 01:40 AM

Re: Feeling frustrated and alone...

Sorry to hear you are feeling so frustrated! What helped me begin my planning was to make a list of what vendors were most important to me. Then I looked on here and talked to friends. I focused on one vendor at a time b/c that was all I had time for. Althought FH offered to help with making the appointments he NEVER did and I simply decided it was easier to just do it myself b/c it was less time consuming. Try to focus on the major vendors first- photo/video, music and then move on to the limos, etc. I know I sometimes see what other LIW girls have done already and I start to feel like I need to get moving. Try not to stress too much and if the planning becomes too much maybe you can hire someone to help you.