* You are in control and deserve to receive the best anyone can offer.

* You should have everything spelled out with no surprises or hidden costs.

* You must feel comfortable and have a good relationship with the sales manager working with you. You must like them and
   trust them.

* You should never be shy about approaching the best venues as you will be surprised to find that most places will want your
   business and the better ones will be willing to negotiate.

* You should think about transportation logistics for rehearsal dinners. If you find a great place at a great price downtown
   and your guests are staying uptown or midtown, the logistics of getting people there and back can be a nightmare. The
   best-planned events are ones in which it is easy to move people around. Think about location and convenience.

* Be a savvy shopper. Call the venue or go into the venue with a list of questions. Be prepared. Shop around.

* Negotiate a price with the florist who is doing your wedding to give you a special price for the rehearsal dinner.

* Don’t pay the florist for votives. Your venue should give them to you at no extra cost.

* Passing drinks on trays looks nice but is not the best way to offer drinks. Wine becomes warm, mixed drinks diluted and
   Champagne flat plus guests take a few sips and then put the glasses down and order something else.

* Champagne toasts are not necessary at rehearsal dinners. Save it for the wedding. Guests will be doing spontaneous
   toasts all evening long. Let them toast with what is in their glasses.

* The days leading up to the biggest days of your life should be worry-free if you have planned and if you are dealing with
   pros who will anticipate for you.

* In the end, it usually comes down to who you trust to do the best job and take all the worries away from you and your
   family.