The NY Times also mentions a cool website called Bravo Brides. This is a fantastic forum for brides-to-be who want to save money by purchasing pre-owned stuff, and brides-who-were who want to get some money back on wedding items they no longer need. You can buy or sell anything wedding-related, from designer wedding gowns to groom’s attire, veils, shoes, jewelry, candles, isle runners, ring pillows, flower girl baskets, place card holders, cake toppers, centerpieces, wedding planning guides, party and shower items, and much more!

They also have listings for local vendors and wedding tips to help you save even more money on your wedding planning needs!

Why choose Bravo Brides? Here are their reasons!!

	We’re the premier one-stop resource for all your wedding needs
	You won’t find bicycles or fish tanks on BravoBride. Instead, we focus completely on pre-owned designer wedding dresses, jewelry, accessories, ceremony and reception items, wedding favors—everything you need for the perfect wedding. Here’s what some of our satisfied customers have to say about their experience with BravoBride.
	It’s easy to find exactly what you need on BravoBride
	With our advanced search features, you’ll find the items you need quickly so you can focus on more important things like deciding on the flavor for your wedding cake. Search for wedding dresses by style, size, designer, or price—to name just some of the options. If you see what you want but aren’t ready to buy, simply add the item to your ‘Favorites’ list to purchase later.
	BravoBride makes selling your items easy
	Listing items for sale and uploading your photos is very simple, there’s no technical knowledge required. We don’t charge any listing fees or commissions so you can sell your item at the best possible price. Your listing stays on the site for 18 months, giving your buyers plenty of time to find and purchase your items. You can upload up to eight images and make three image and text edits after your listing has been posted at no additional cost. It’s easy to track your sales and update your listings.
	We support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign
	Did you know that heart disease affects more women than cancer? BravoBride is proud to donate a percentage of our proceeds to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke among women. You can read more about the Go Red for Women Campaign here.
	BravoBride is good for your budget—and for the planet.
	When you shop on BravoBride, you’re not just getting the wedding items you need at a great price. You’re also making the Earth-friendly choice to re-use and pass along. Just a little something extra to be happy about when you walk down the aisle!
	BravoBride offers a range of features no free site or auction site can match. For example:
	Featured Item placement Advanced search capability Multiple photos My Favorite Items section Recommend items to a friend

This is the hard lesson learned by Lindsay Zora who hired someone to do her engagement portrait, wedding photography, and album. After paying him $1,200, he took the portraits but never showed up at the wedding. Turns out, the Better Business Bureau has received at least eight complaints against the very same studio, and it’s always the same thing: No wedding album.

“You just need to check references or ask for references when you can. If I could do it over again, that would definitely be what I’d ask for,” says Zora, a bride who unfortunately learned this lesson the hard way.

Wedding Channel has some good advice on checking references for a videographer. These tips can be applied to other service providers as well. If your videographer can’t provide wedding references, they say, keep looking for someone who can. “Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be captured by someone who is experienced, talented, and comes recommended by other couples. If you’re in the least bit anxious about calling or emailing a reference, don’t be. Usually, newlyweds can’t talk enough about their weddings, and will gladly clue you in on their experiences.” For more information and a list of questions to get you started, visit weddingchannel.com.

eHow has advice on interveiwing a wedding planner. All Time Favorites has tips on picking a DJ. Bridal Guide can teach you how to be contract savvy. A little preparation can go a long way toward helping you enjoy your big day!