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Fairy tale in less time
How to plan a wedding in six to 12 months By Matt Ingersoll
mingersoll@hippopress.com
Planning a wedding between six and 12 months in advance has its challenges, but is definitely achievable with the right amounts of prioritization and flexibility. If you’d truly rather not spend the next two years or more outlining the details of your big day, check out these tips and anecdotes from local wedding planners.
Be a decision-maker
According to Tracy Dapp of Inked Events in Salem, a willingness for you to be flexible with a date change to meet all of your logistical needs is a plus. “They don’t have their first pick of anything, and if they have a specific date in mind, then it’s definitely harder to find something that hits all of their wish list points,” she said. “Just having everything lined up, from the places to the date to the people that are available … is a challenge.” Dan and Caitlin Silver, recent clients of Dapp’s who became engaged on Christmas Day 2017 and were married on July 13, 2018, held their reception at Searles Castle in Windham. The entire wedding was planned in about six months, she said, and included a special surprise to the groom, who grew up
with muscle cars, with a 1970s-era Dodge Charger to bring them to the reception. “They had originally wanted to get married on a Saturday but ended up changing the day to a Friday night to make everything happen the way it did and to fit it in with their budget,” she said. “For the amount of details involved, the planning was quick, but they were decision makers so it made it seamless and easy.” Angela Desrochers of Angela Marie Weddings in Deerfield said you will definitely save money by booking your big day during the winter months and through the early part of the spring, but you should also keep in mind that not all venues are open year-round. “Many rustic barn venues, for example, are not heated and are closed during the winter months, so if TRACY DAPP the venue is important to you, then you may have to be flexible on the date or plan further out,” she said.
... if they have a specific date in mind, then it’s definitely harder to ... [hit] all of their wish list points.
CU ST OM DE SIG N
Because she’s like no other. You imagine...we create!
Choosing your vendors
Desrochers said one important thing to remember is any vendor who is a small business owner and can only do one wedding a day could be booked out a year in advance during the peak wedding season. “This definitely includes photographers, videographers, hair and makeup stylists, bands and DJs,” she said. Dapp said getting the bigger things squared away first — and worrying about the smaller decisions you will make later — has proven to be a successful strategy with the clients she has worked with who have had to plan weddings in six to 12 months. “If you get the big things done fairly quickly, like the DJ, the cakes and the photographer, and
I Do Us Too
A truly unique shopping experience. Tradition, Quality, and Value for 40 Years. Voted the Best of for the last 6 years! 16 & 18 Main St. Concord NH • (603) 224-6166 • capitolcraftsman.com HIPPO | JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 6, 2019 | PAGE 22
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Ashley Clay of Eventfully Yours in Hooksett is organizing a wedding expo to connect couples and wedding vendors. The first “ I Do Us Too” events will be held Saturday, March 30, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Top Knots Co-Working Space (One Washington St., Dover), as well as Friday, April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Spotlight Room at The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Man-
chester). Couples buy tickets in advance and receive a list of vendors and price packages offering a variety of services for different budgets, so they can come prepared with specific questions. Snacks and beverages will be served at each event. Friday night in Manchester will have an additional bridal gown show and sizing tips for purchasing online. The cost is $25 per couple. Visit facebook.com/idoUSTOO.