The internet can be an invaluable tool in planning your wedding. There are many websites out there that allow you to search for all of your wedding needs from the comfort of home. Websites such as www.theknot.com and www.weddingwire.com allow you to search for vendors and review what they have to offer. You can also see what other customer's have to say. This can be good and bad. Overall, it is an excellent source of information. As a word of caution, don't always believe everything you read. Sometimes reviews are placed on the wrong vendor by mistake, or the circumstances are not completely accurate. Use online reviews as an overall feel for the vendor. Make sure you understand what the star ratings are based on. For example, www.yelp.com suppresses reviews and they are not calculated into the star rating.
Websites such as The Knot and Wedding Wire are also an excellent source of planning information. They offer etiquette information, budgeting tools and much more. If you have questions, answers can be found. You may want to consider using multiple sources, if it is something really important. For example, when it comes to budget information, each site will give various recommended percentages each category should be of your overall budget. Each bride and groom will have their own priorities and may want to modify the percentages spent in each area. The budget will also vary drastically based on location and size of the wedding.
DO NOT use the internet to shop for your dress. While you may think you are getting the same gown for less, reality will prove differently. Designers only sell through authorized dealers only. They also set MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) pricing that must be abided by. Some stores may choose to sell the item for more to cover shipping, etc, but an authorized dealer can not sell below the MSRP. If you are seeing an item for significantly less, do your homework and make sure you understand what you are buying. Watters & Watters offers an excellent explanation of "Buyer Beware". http://www.watters.com/Content/BuyerBeware/.
