Step 1: Establishing Guidelines Please answer these questions together so I know how to prioritize the options I send you.

I. Budget 1. When we say $15,000, what we really mean is:

a. That's our max budget (We can't possibly pay more a cushion for last minute costs must be accounted for in this budget, so our budget is really more like $14,000.) b. That's our ideal budget (We plan to spend this much, but if we go over with a last minute emergency it won't break us) c. We really can't afford to spend that much, but feel we have to. d. We really don't want to spend that much, but don't think we can get the wedding we want for less.

ANSWER 2. When we say $15,000, that includes:

a. Absolutely everything, including related expenses like bachelor(ette) party, honeymoon, etc. b. Eveything for the wedding itself, but not related events b. Everything but: _____________________________________

ANSWER: 3. We expect our parents to offer to chip in:

a. Just the Weisses b. The Weisses and the Marrs c. We plan to refuse any contributions

ANSWER:

4. If our parents offer to chip in, we prefer:

a. To refuse any contributions. b. To get cash we'll add on top of the $15,000 budget (increasing the budget). c. To get cash so we can decrease our cost (total budget stays the same). d. To have them pay for specific things (the cake or bar tab or rehearsal dinner or dress), which will be included in our overall budget (we pay less, budget total stays the same). e. To have them pay for specific things (the cake or bar tab or rehearsal dinner or dress), which will not be included in our overall budget (we pay the same, budget total increases).

ANSWER:

II. Guest List 1. When we say 250 people, we really mean:

a. That's everyone we remotely want to invite, we expect fewer to attend. b. That's our primary guest list; we have a second-tier list to fill any vacancies from declines. c. We actually don't want all these people to come to our wedding, and we'll be cutting the list down to______ people.

ANSWER: 2. We want kids at our wedding:

a. Yes, of course. b. No, but we're inviting them anyway to avoid drama. c. No. Absolutely not!

ANSWER: 2b. If we're inviting kids to our wedding:

a. They are solely their parents' responsibility. b. We want to have kids areas or activities c. We want to have a babysitter on hand for the rehearsal dinner and wedding (for the bridal party or for guests in general).

ANSWER:

III. General Atmosphere 1. Choose the five words that you most want to describe your wedding
__Traditional __Modern __Elegant __Casual __Fun __Intimate __Unique __Charming __Impressive __Original __Rustic __Laid-back __Festive __Classic __Timeless __Comfortable __Personal __Beautiful __Simple __Memorable __Dramatic

2. Please rate these wedding elements in order of importance, with 1 being very important and 10 least important. Budget and guest list are not included because they have automatic priority.
__ A memorable, beautiful venue __ Fantastic food __ A great cake __ High-quality photos __ The dress of Susan's dreams __ Entertainment at reception (band, DJ, photobooth, etc.) __ Gorgeous decorations, including flowers, candles, lanterns or whatever else we might want __ Having an open bar __ Impressive invitations __ Convenient location for guests

3. Please finish this sentence: Aside from the budget and guest list, the one thing we don't want to compromise on is_______________________________________________________________. IV. Venue 1. When we say Southeastern Wisconsin, we really mean:
a. No more than 20 minutes from downtown Milwaukee b. No more than 45 minutes from downtown Milwaukee c. No more than 1 hour from downtown Milwaukee d. No more than 1.5 hours from downtown Milwaukee. e. No more than 2 hours from downtown Milwaukee. f. Anything under 3 hours from Milwaukee is okay.

ANSWER: 2. If I found a beautiful, inexpensive venue outside your radius, but still drivable from Milwaukee, would you consider it?
a. No. b. Yes, as long the bridal party would only need to spend one night nearby. c. Yes, as long as the bridal party can stay two nights (rehearsal night and wedding night) conveniently near the location.

ANSWER: 3. How do you feel about required caterers?

a. I'd prefer to have free choice. b. I'd prefer to have free choice, and am only willing to compromise on that for really stunning and cheap locations. c. I'd rather have free choice, but am willing to work within the options provided. d. I prefer to work only with caterers suggested by my venue, since they are familiar with the location.

ANSWER: 4. If you could have the wedding anywhere you want, you'd chose:
a. A nice hotel (Pfister or Hotel Delafield) b. A downtown banquet space (Grain Exchange) c. A repurposed space (Turner Hall or Pritzlaff Building) d. A historic mansion e. A country club or banquet center that specializes in weddings (Silver Spring, Davian's) f. A lodge or barn (with elegant touches)

g. Outside in a park h. A camp i. A museum j. Other___________________________

ANSWER: 5. When it comes to choosing a venue, rank these in order of importance:

_ Appearance _ Convenience/Location _ Cost _ Catering options _ Ability to personalize the space _ Other

6. I say urban warehouse loft, you think:

a. Awesome open space with lots of potential b. Could be cool, but not our first choice c. Not at all our style d. Too much work

ANSWER: 7. I say barn wedding, you think:

a. Could be really beautiful b. We could make it work, but it's not our first choice c. Not at all our style d. Too much work

ANSWER: 8. I say hotel ballroom, you think:

a. Tried and true really convenient and classic b. We could make it work, but it's not our first choice c. Not at all our style d. Too much work.

ANSWER: 9. When you think about your wedding venue, you think:
a. It's really important because it sets the atmosphere for the entire event. b. It's somewhat important, but other considerations (like catering) are also important. c. It's not very important because other considerations are more important. d. It's not important you're willing to compromise a lot to save money.

ANSWER: 10. When it comes to decorating your venue, you think:

a. We're not really into the decorations, don't want to spend time on them, and would rather find a location that doesn't require much or provides set options. b. Decorations aren't a priority, but if we find a great inexpensive space that needs them, we're willing to put in the effort. c. We really want a blank canvas we can make our own unique space, so we're excited about decorations and personal touches.

ANSWER: V. Food 1. When it comes to catering, which is most important?

a. Cost b. Food options c. Food quality

d. Service e. Convenience

ANSWER:

2. Please rank these catering qualities in order of importance (1 being most important):
__ The catering is inexpensive. __ The food is really delicious. __ The food is served in the manner we prefer (sit-down, buffet, family style). __ The catering service makes things really easy for us, and reduces our work and our need to hire additional vendors. __The type of food we want to eat at the wedding is on the menu (e.g You really want beef wellington or something specific)

ANSWER: 3. If it saved money, would you be open to self-catering (with hired servers and prep cooks)?
a. Yes. b. Maybe c. No.

ANSWER: 4. What would your ideal meal look like?

a. Plated dinners, chosen by guests beforehand, served in courses at their seats. b. Guest can choose from limited options on a menu at the reception. Dinners are individually plated. c. The meal is served family-style, with guests dishing their own portions at the table, from dishes brought to their tables by servers. d. Buffet dinner, with guest passing through the buffet line to select their own meal. (Bride and Groom can have plated dinners) e. Appetizer stations f. Passed hors d'oeuvres g. A casual picnic or barbecue

ANSWER: 5. Is there anything specific you really want when it comes to food at the reception?

6. Is there anything specific you really DO NOT want when it comes to food at the reception?

7. When it comes to alcohol at the wedding, you'd prefer:

a. A full open bar for the entire evening. b. An open bar cocktail hour, then cash bar c. Cash bar the entire night d. Just wine and beer e. Wine, beer, and maybe one or two special cocktails f. No alcohol

ANSWER: 8. Which of these food factors are most important to you (check up to four)?
_ Our guests are satisfied with their meal _ We're happy with our specific meals _ The food is really inexpensive _ The food doesn't require much input or work from us _ Our guests are impressed with their meal _ The dinner feels formal and elegant _ The meal feels cozy and casual _ The quality of food is very high _ The food represents our personal tastes _ The meal is served on time and is concluded and cleared at a set time _ Our guests feel comfortable lingering over dinner and eating their fill _ The meal stays close to the mimimum requirement