This post is LONG overdue!! Sometimes, being a wedding guest can be just as tricky as being part of the wedding party or even planning the wedding itself! That’s where Guestiquette comes in.
The website, started by the lovely people in the Hilton Family, has been working with Samantha Goldberg, the fabulous planner often seen on “Whose Wedding is it Anyway”, to provide information for the all-too-important wedding guest.
We had the opportunity to ask Miss Samantha herself some questions we thought might benefit our readers! Here are our questions (and their answers) for all of you Wedding Fanatics. 
1. In today’s economy, what do you see couples doing to save a few pennies? What are your tips and ideas for couples on tight budgets?
Sticking to a budget doesn’t need to be overwhelming! Check out my easy-to-use, downloadable budget tracker available on Guestiquette, where you can record your expenses to stay on track as you plan. In addition, here are my top five ways to save in today’s economy:
1. First, book and manage your wedding room block online with Hilton Family’s easy tool to save time spent calling hotels during work hours.
2. Second, plan your wedding during an off-peak time like Sunday to lower the cost.
3. Third, ask talented friends to “gift” you your wedding services (flowers, photography, etc.)
4. Fourth, look for more inexpensive dress options. Don’t be afraid to buy the dress right off the rack or even rent your gown (a great way to wear the designer dress of your dreams, without the hefty price!) Also, keep an eye out for trunk sales from your favorite designer which can save you 50-70% off retail (this can also be a great way for bridesmaids to get a great deal on their dress)
5. And finally, consider a destination wedding with fewer guests that also serves as your honeymoon.
2. As someone who has worked with tons of weddings and couples, what is the absolute best part for you?
I think the best part for me is being able to help someone create their wedding day vision. Many people are visual, which means they have to actually see props instead of looking at a drawing or floor plan, so I love helping couples make their ideas tangible, thus bringing those ideas to life.
There is truly no better reward than seeing a couple’s faces when they walk into their ceremony/reception and know it was even more than they had expected!
3. What are some major problems you find most couples struggle with while planning their weddings? How do you prepare your couples for these situations or deal with the issues as they arise?
Often, the fast-pace and trying nature of wedding planning can cause couples to forget to keep their lines of communication open, which can make the wedding planning process more complicated than it needs to be. An easy fix for this is to have each party list their wedding wants and needs at the beginning of the wedding planning process, thus making sure each voice is heard and nipping any potential miscommunication in the bud.
When I meet with my couples, I always ask both the bride and groom what they consider to be the most crucial elements of their wedding. That way, I can take those elements that a couple disagrees on and show them how it’s possible to find solutions that incorporate both of their tastes. You can get more information on dealing with tricky wedding situations here.
4. What are some of the best things a couple can do to ensure a smooth planning process?
It seems like planning a wedding is comprised of a million different details and to-do’s, which is why having them all in one, convenient timeline is incredibly useful in helping you stay on top of your wedding planning (and maintain your sanity!) Check out my comprehensive wedding planning timeline available on Guestiquette, which leads you through every step of the way, starting from a year before your wedding right through your big day.
Also, I think a great way for couples to make things more organized for themselves is by keeping a binder of wedding elements that have inspired them, including magazine cut-outs, photos, and other notes you’ve accumulated throughout the planning process. The binder will help provide each couple with the inspiration to create their own unique wedding style. Also, when each couple meets with their vendors, they will be able to use the binder to show their vendors the color and fabric schemes they have planned, to help inspire other choices. For example, it’s useful for the florist to see a swatch of fabric from the bride’s dress!
Thanks so much for the great tips, Samantha! Check out Gold Events for more info on Sam and Guestiquette for more tips on being a fabulous wedding guest!
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