When you know, you know
One thing I’ve learned during the wedding planning process is that when you’re looking for a vendor, there comes a point when you know you’ve found the right one. I don’t know how to explain it other than: when you know, you know.
Take, for example, our search for linens. I, of course, did all kinds of research. I met vendors at bridal shows, I searched online, and I emailed those I thought would be most reasonably priced according to our budgetary needs.
When the time came to actually meet with vendors, we made two appointments. Our first appointment was at Elite Bridal and Events in Westover, where we met with owner and consultant Leslie Propst.
We told her what we were looking for and she put together a beautiful table setting complete with chair covers, sashes, overlays and more. It was breathtaking – a table fit for a king. She graciously allowed us to play around with potential centerpieces, changed the colors and overlays, and helped us come up with a concept.
For the sake of price comparison, we went to another vendor and found that what they had to offer wasn’t as nice, but actually cost more. So we thought about it and decided that Elite was it, but we needed to tone it down a little. While the table Leslie put together was beautiful, it was a little more formal than what we wanted.
We made another appointment with Leslie and told her our concerns about the original idea. She put together another table, and it was absolutely perfect. We just knew we had found what we were looking for and paid the deposit that day.
Most recently, we wrapped up our search for a florist. Like our search for everything else, this one started with meeting florists at bridal shows, internet research, word of mouth recommendations, and contact via email.
I reached out to various local florists. One didn’t bother to call or email me back. One responded to say I would receive a phone call, but the call never came. But, one, Blooms Florist in Bridgeport , responded almost immediately.
I had heard about Cara Ewald at Blooms from a friend who had gone there for her own wedding. My friend absolutely raved about how amazing Cara was to work with. So, we made the appointment and headed to Bridgeport to meet with Cara.
To be honest, I knew as soon as we walked in the door that we wouldn’t be looking any further for our florist. The place is decorated beautifully. It’s modern meets classic meets the kind of style you wish you had to decorate your own space.
We brought pictures of what we were looking for and Cara took it from there. She showed us where we could replace more expensive, exotic flowers for those in the same color family that would cost less. She helped us figure out color combinations that would work for our theme. And, the best part for anyone planning a wedding on a budget – the costs for her amazingly beautiful creations were very reasonable.
We paid the deposit before we left. And, even though we didn’t meet with any other florists, we are completely thrilled with our decision. There is no doubt in our minds that we will be blown away by what Cara comes up with.
We have now secured all the vendors we need for our wedding, and we are 100 percent certain that we’ve found the best of the bunch. Thanks to lots of research, including recommendations from our friends that have been invaluable, we can rest easy knowing that they will help us make our dreams a reality.
Like I said, when you know, you just know.
