Ack, am I the only bride who changes my mind on "set" wedding decisions?
We started with a historic courthouse for the wedding, then I scrapped that (after we paid a deposit, which we actually got back) and went for a venue closer to our home.
Now, I want to switch photographers because I've been unhappy with the photography company we booked.
Long story short -- I found our photographer's stand-alone site outside of the company we're using. She charges $1,100 LESS than what we booked... for 2 more hours of photography and more perks than we're signed for. When I mentioned to our contact at the company that we found that, she became somewhat rude, but I guess that may have been rude for me to mention.
Now, I've found a photographer that I simply love, and her fees are also less than the one booked. Even if we lose our $750 deposit, we'd come out ahead (by about $300).
And now I'm second-guessing the format... we're planning a wedding reception for 160, but I'm feeling like I may want something more intimate -- like 40.
My question... do you change your mind on wedding decisions you've already made? Or, do you regret wedding planning-related decisions that you've already made?
I understand what you're going through. I change my mind a lot too so with the planning process I have tried to make sure I am 100% sure before going ahead with booking anyone. For example, when I went to book the reception location, I went to all the local sites I was thinking about, narrowed it down to 3, and then emailed all my questions (they were the same questions) to the wedding managers at those locations. I then based the reception location on those answers and how I felt about each location when I was there. All in all the process took me a little over a week to decide which one was right. Same goes for the DJ. I emailed at least 15-20 DJs/Bands basically all the same questions, and then went over all the answers and narrowed it down. I asked the catering manager at my reception location for her input, but ultimately made my own decision based on the answers I was given from the DJs, the promptness of responses, the enthusiasm towards my wedding, and overall impression I got.
Maybe with the next thing you book, just take a step back and think about what you REALLY want before you book. Make sure you exhaust all your options before moving ahead with something and putting the deposit down. I haven't had a single regret or feeling that I booked the wrong person (yet). I think it is because I really took my time and asked a lot of questions before I finally booked places and people.
As far as the photographer goes, losing $750 is a lot. But, if you are still going to end up spending $300 less in the end, maybe that is the way to go. It's a personal decision only you can make--if you are just in love with this new photographer, talk it over with DF and whomever's paying (parents maybe? if it's you and DF then just talk with him!) and see what their opinions are on it. But ultimately, in the end, you have to be happy with the decision you make. Just think everything over long and hard before you make any final decisions.
How far out are you? I find that the more time people have, the more they change their mind. You need to draw a line for yourself that means that you can't change it. For most it would be putting down a deposit, but if you don't mind losing the deposit, go for it. Maybe you should do more looking before you do anymore contract signing. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind, but it's not going to be fun to second guess yourself the whole time. Explore more options, then give yourself a couple of weeks to think all of it through. Then book and be happy.
Just don't second-guess your choice of groom, and you should be fine. :) Sounds like all of your second-guesses are saving you money, so that's good, but I agree with KateMW that it's not a fun way to plan. The problem with wedding planning is that there are so many good things to choose from, and so few "wrong" choices....my philosophy early on was to choose something great and go with it, because I could've driven myself crazy and taken up WAY too much time searching for something "perfect" (which probably doesn't exist anyway).
Of course, I'm the person who bought a second wedding dress the day before my wedding b/c I was having second thoughts about mine, so I never did completely shake the regret bug. I ended up wearing my original wedding dress, which meant that my second dress (and its last minute alterations) was a big waste of money, but the photographer seemed to get a kick out of watching me pick which dress to wear an hour before the ceremony......
Anyway, maybe sleeping on your decisions for a little while longer, or talking them over with others a bit more, would help avoid future changes. Or maybe a wedding planner to bounce things off of?
We're 9 months out at this point -- and I booked the first venue and photographer in January. I know i rushed into them both.
I simply didn't do my research first. With the photog, I didn't feel that her very frequent travels would be a problem, but it's been quite difficult to book an engagement session - and she's not shot any weddings since we booked, which worries me immensely.
Oh kenziegirl! I hope I didn't get you started on the photog search again!!! Are you interested in Laura now?
I think with whatever you plan you will second-guess yourself, especially with the wedding being months away. You need to weigh the pros and cons, and if you truly are worried, go with your instincts. If you aren't comfortable, and won't lose out monetarily, maybe going with another photog wouldn't be a bad decision.
We liked our original until I saw Laura -- her eye and composition are stunning. (thanks a lot, Lynzee!) I know what I like, and I thought our girl was good, but Laura is tons better, and she's less expensive!
Funny thing, one of her feature weddings (Liana and Joe) -- I know the family through a good friend of mine.
Haha! I am sorry to introduce you to her! Now I feel really bad! Have you met with her? Maybe she won't have the personality like your other photographer, or her photos might not be as awesome as those on her site. These are questions I am asking myself! I am actually meeting with her on Wednesday.
Have you heard anything about what Liana and Joe thought of Laura?
Ack, am I the only bride who changes my mind on "set" wedding decisions?
We started with a historic courthouse for the wedding, then I scrapped that (after we paid a deposit, which we actually got back) and went for a venue closer to our home.
Now, I want to switch photographers because I've been unhappy with the photography company we booked.
Long story short -- I found our photographer's stand-alone site outside of the company we're using. She charges $1,100 LESS than what we booked... for 2 more hours of photography and more perks than we're signed for. When I mentioned to our contact at the company that we found that, she became somewhat rude, but I guess that may have been rude for me to mention.
Now, I've found a photographer that I simply love, and her fees are also less than the one booked. Even if we lose our $750 deposit, we'd come out ahead (by about $300).
And now I'm second-guessing the format... we're planning a wedding reception for 160, but I'm feeling like I may want something more intimate -- like 40.
My question... do you change your mind on wedding decisions you've already made? Or, do you regret wedding planning-related decisions that you've already made?
posted by kenziegirl 59 posts 2 months agoI understand what you're going through. I change my mind a lot too so with the planning process I have tried to make sure I am 100% sure before going ahead with booking anyone. For example, when I went to book the reception location, I went to all the local sites I was thinking about, narrowed it down to 3, and then emailed all my questions (they were the same questions) to the wedding managers at those locations. I then based the reception location on those answers and how I felt about each location when I was there. All in all the process took me a little over a week to decide which one was right. Same goes for the DJ. I emailed at least 15-20 DJs/Bands basically all the same questions, and then went over all the answers and narrowed it down. I asked the catering manager at my reception location for her input, but ultimately made my own decision based on the answers I was given from the DJs, the promptness of responses, the enthusiasm towards my wedding, and overall impression I got.
Maybe with the next thing you book, just take a step back and think about what you REALLY want before you book. Make sure you exhaust all your options before moving ahead with something and putting the deposit down. I haven't had a single regret or feeling that I booked the wrong person (yet). I think it is because I really took my time and asked a lot of questions before I finally booked places and people.
As far as the photographer goes, losing $750 is a lot. But, if you are still going to end up spending $300 less in the end, maybe that is the way to go. It's a personal decision only you can make--if you are just in love with this new photographer, talk it over with DF and whomever's paying (parents maybe? if it's you and DF then just talk with him!) and see what their opinions are on it. But ultimately, in the end, you have to be happy with the decision you make. Just think everything over long and hard before you make any final decisions.
posted by meggyg8r 94 posts 2 months agoHow far out are you? I find that the more time people have, the more they change their mind. You need to draw a line for yourself that means that you can't change it. For most it would be putting down a deposit, but if you don't mind losing the deposit, go for it. Maybe you should do more looking before you do anymore contract signing. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind, but it's not going to be fun to second guess yourself the whole time. Explore more options, then give yourself a couple of weeks to think all of it through. Then book and be happy.
posted by KateMW 483 posts 2 months agoJust don't second-guess your choice of groom, and you should be fine. :) Sounds like all of your second-guesses are saving you money, so that's good, but I agree with KateMW that it's not a fun way to plan. The problem with wedding planning is that there are so many good things to choose from, and so few "wrong" choices....my philosophy early on was to choose something great and go with it, because I could've driven myself crazy and taken up WAY too much time searching for something "perfect" (which probably doesn't exist anyway).
Of course, I'm the person who bought a second wedding dress the day before my wedding b/c I was having second thoughts about mine, so I never did completely shake the regret bug. I ended up wearing my original wedding dress, which meant that my second dress (and its last minute alterations) was a big waste of money, but the photographer seemed to get a kick out of watching me pick which dress to wear an hour before the ceremony......
Anyway, maybe sleeping on your decisions for a little while longer, or talking them over with others a bit more, would help avoid future changes. Or maybe a wedding planner to bounce things off of?
Best of luck. :)
posted by maryalison 105 posts 2 months agoWe're 9 months out at this point -- and I booked the first venue and photographer in January. I know i rushed into them both.
I simply didn't do my research first. With the photog, I didn't feel that her very frequent travels would be a problem, but it's been quite difficult to book an engagement session - and she's not shot any weddings since we booked, which worries me immensely.
posted by kenziegirl 59 posts 2 months agoOh kenziegirl! I hope I didn't get you started on the photog search again!!! Are you interested in Laura now?
I think with whatever you plan you will second-guess yourself, especially with the wedding being months away. You need to weigh the pros and cons, and if you truly are worried, go with your instincts. If you aren't comfortable, and won't lose out monetarily, maybe going with another photog wouldn't be a bad decision.
posted by Lynzee 21 posts 2 months agoHonestly --
We liked our original until I saw Laura -- her eye and composition are stunning. (thanks a lot, Lynzee!) I know what I like, and I thought our girl was good, but Laura is tons better, and she's less expensive!
Funny thing, one of her feature weddings (Liana and Joe) -- I know the family through a good friend of mine.
posted by kenziegirl 59 posts 2 months agoHaha! I am sorry to introduce you to her! Now I feel really bad! Have you met with her? Maybe she won't have the personality like your other photographer, or her photos might not be as awesome as those on her site. These are questions I am asking myself! I am actually meeting with her on Wednesday.
Have you heard anything about what Liana and Joe thought of Laura?
posted by Lynzee 21 posts 2 months agoI'm meeting her this week!
I agree that personality may not mesh, but she left a message and sounds decent... I do have to see if we mesh.
Once I found her on there, I had to find out. It sounds like they LOVED her.
posted by kenziegirl 59 posts 2 months ago