Christa Terry's iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing But ‘Net Useful in Down Economy

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 02, 2009 -
Over 2 million couples get married in the United States every year, and more than 75% of them consult the Internet in some way while planning their weddings. But when it comes to decision-making and actual purchases, very few make the most of what the Web has to offer. In iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing But ‘Net, Christa Terry guides couples through the entire process, proving that whether it's finding a venue, a dress, a caterer, or even an officiant, every facet of wedding planning can be done more quickly, more easily—and more cheaply!!!—online.

Terry is the editor of the popular nuptial fashion, etiquette, and accessory website Manolo for the Brides (Manolobrides.com), which receives more than 10,000 visitors per week. A veteran of what she terms the “Wedding Industrial Complex” (aka “WIC”), Terry knows that planning a wedding can be utterly overwhelming. In iDo, Terry first covers the basics of wedding planning, and then offers a road map for getting it done on your own—and via the Web. From timelines and budgets to the honeymoon, Terry guides readers through each planning stage, from the biggest stress to the smallest detail.  

To help readers navigate the endless options on the Internet, iDo cuts through the digital clutter and identifies the best websites for everything from the perfect wedding gown to pretty place cards. A few of Terry’s website picks include:

•   Bridalinsider.com, Onestopweddingplanner.com, and Weddingwire.com for planning and organization
•   Eventective.com, Perfecttableplan.com, and Directcatering.com for venue scouting, seating charts, and catering.
•   Weddingphotousa.com, Visualbride.com, and Ourweddingcast.com for photography, videography, and media sharing

And Terry knows that planning a wedding takes more than bookmarking a few helpful websites. With that in mind, iDo goes beyond listing links, showing the bride-to-be:

•   Where to find FREE wedding software and downloadable worksheets to map out a timeline, customize checklists, and calculate budgets
•   Why creating a FREE personal wedding website is one of the best gifts she can give her guests
•   Where to find beautiful yet inexpensive invitations, favors, flowers and *yes* wedding gowns
•   How saving money when planning a wedding can mean saving relationships

Having planned her own wedding for a mere $11,000, Terry knows first-hand the advantages of using the Internet, and how to maximize the benefits.

“A wedding doesn’t need to cost $30,000 if you’re careful and cost conscious,” Terry says. “You can spend $5 on a metal spoon with a heart-shaped scoop as a party favor, but it should cost something like $1. When you’re buying online, you can compare 20 shops in 20 minutes, all with the same inventory made in the same factory in China. Or if you'd rather steer clear of mass produced stuff, you can find cool crafters who will make your favors by hand.”

Terry is happily married and continues to share her wisdom with brides-to-be at Manolo for the Brides, and now in iDo. She is available for interviews and appearances.