- How to Handle Possible Pitfalls
· Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every engagement and wedding planned had everyone involved happy with the whole process? Too many couples find themselves tiptoeing through minefields while planning their wedding and sometimes even the actual ceremony. Every wedding is different; however we can describe some scenarios that typically occur while planning a wedding. Ideally, everyone on both sides (the bride’s and the groom’s) family will be happy about this union and will be willing to make decisions and compromise to make the bride and groom’s wedding day the wedding of their dreams.· Some common situations: The bride or groom’s parents maybe both are divorced. This can have animosity between the former couples. This is especially tense if the warring parents are the bride’s. The stress of having to choose between two parents she loves, but who are hostile to each other, in a situation like this if there is a Bridal Consultant, it’s best to have then deal with them, no the bride. Just remember bridal consultants aren’t professional therapists, they can’t solve problems that have formed over years, and they may however be able to help by maintaining a professional attitude and handle situations and carry out the brides wishes with out the bride having to deal with the stress between separated or divorced parents or hurting anyone’s feelings.· Things can be even more complicated for the bride and groom if their parent has a significant other. Don’t be surprise if one parent says I won’t come if your (mother/father) brings…..” It is essential to compromise here. When both of the bride’s parents are remarried, it’s important to distribute the financial responsibility as equally as possible. A couple ways to do this may be; Have one set of parents pay for the food for the reception, flowers, photographer, wedding cake, and any other agreed expenses. The other set of parents pay for beverages for the reception, disc jockey and videographer, and the flowers for the reception. Another more reasonable way would be to add all the expenses for the wedding and reception then simply divide in half, this way no one can claim to be paying more or claiming the other parent paid less. What if the parents are divorce and one parent claims they don’t have the finances to share the financial responsibility? Here are three possibilities; 1. The bride and groom may have to adjust the budget for the wedding to allow the less financially able parent to participate. 2. The more capable parent may agree to pay a greater share of the cost. 3. The working bride (and, or) groom can contribute to the cost of putting on their wedding. · What happens when a step parent is more important than a birth parent? Who will light the taper for the bride if her stepmother means more to her than her birth mother? If you can include both step mother and biological mother this will allow both to feel special and avoid long term offences. If this is not possible maybe have a special aunt or friend perform this task. Always remember when it comes down to it, it really is what the bride wants. If she really wants her step parent it is her wedding. Who will walk the bride down the isle? Options may include; the bride walk her self down the isle, both fathers can walk her down the isle, one father walks her half way down then the other father finished walking her down. Again these are only ideas you should use you own discretion to handle these situations. · Something that can happen is what to do if a divorce parent agrees to pay for their portion of the wedding expenses then backs out? If you know or think that a parent is not reliable when the agreement is made on how much each parent will be responsible for, start a special account and have the parent put their portion in that account. You could state this is easier so as the expenses arise no one will be bothered the money will be readily available. If this will not work you should save your own money as a back up plan.
