When planning a wedding in Montana, or any other place for that matter, you have to make a lot of choices. In creating the Montana Wedding Guide I wanted to create a wedding planning service that helped every engaged couple become more competent consumers. By listing our vendors and their bits of advice the whole process becomes a lot easier because you start to think of thinks that you may not have before. The Internet and web sites has made shopping and narrowing choices much easier than before. When I started in the business over 18 years ago clients actually had to meet with all the vendors to narrow their choices. Now after spending the time you would have had on one meeting before you can narrow your search to the top tho or three in every category.

Here are some of my thoughts on how to shop for a particular vendor. First off talk to your friends, see who they recommend and then take a peak at their web site. If you like the vendor's work add them to your favorites page. Next visit Montana Wedding Guide and look through the categories and click on the banners that you see. You can get a good feeling of the vendor by their web page. If you like what you see on the first few pages dig deeper into their site and really start looking. If they have comments by clients read them and see what the common thread is. Send them an email and wait for the response. Then comes the waiting game, see how long it takes them to respond and what they say. Once you have narrowed your vendor choices down to two or three then it is time to set up meetings. By this time you should be coming up with a list of questions. If not ask your friends who have been married what you might want to consider. Ask the vendor what questions you should be asking. If someone asks me how o shop for a photographer I do my best to point out ways to shop for a great one. (It is part of our job to help you become a better consumer.) you can also ask a vendor to recommend another vendor. Many of us have worked weddings in Montana and know who does what kind of work, so it should be easy to get some referrals that way too.

Once you have met with the various vendors then it should be easy to make your choice. Who's work really reflects your style? Who's personality did you click with? What was the quality of their service or product? Who fit within your budget? Who was promt with their response and thorough with their information? Who was willing to give you contacts information of some of their previous clients?

Once you have made your decision on each vendor sign a contract. Up until a few years ago I didn't ask any of my clients to sign a contract. (I thought it was too impersonal, and who needs a contract in Montana!) For your own peace of mind and for that of the vendor insist upon a contract. It ensures that everyone is on the same page. You know what you are getting and the vendor knows what they are supposed to deliver.

Finally keep a binder with organized pages for each of the different aspects of your wedding. You can add file folders for each vendor and keep a copy of the contract and all pertinent information in one spot.

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming task if you don't approach it right. Finally and probably most importantly once you decide you are getting married in Montana start planning right away. Vendors get booked up quickly because we have a very short season in which most of our weddings take place. Start contacting the vendors that interest you, once you have made your decision ask them to send out a contract and mark it off your list.