PORTLAND, Ore. - It's usually a once-in-a-lifetime event. You've got one shot at making your wedding perfect.

Brides - and sometimes grooms - often plan a year in advance.

But even in this feel-good industry, brides-to-be have to be on guard. So we've got tips to make sure your walk down the aisle is a smooth one.

When Caryn Bires' bridesmaids dresses arrived in the wrong color of embroidery, she complained to the bridal shop owner.

"I looked at her and said, 'You won't be getting any referrals from me.' And she said, 'We don't need your referrals," Bires said. "It was a shock when they didn't care whether I was happy or not."

Kailyn Marcus was livid when she found out that her $5,000, made-to-order gown was never ordered by her bridal shop.

Only after an in-store showdown did she end up with an altered floor model.

"I know they get away with it because a bridal purchase is a one-time purchase," she said. "This isn't something hopefully that you're doing every year."
 
None of it surprises wedding planner Molli Barrs.

She steers brides clear of a handful of bridal shops in the area and offers this tip, no matter where you order:

"Say your wedding is August 15, tell them July 15," she said. "There's no reason that they really have to know … That just gives you an extra month of breathing room.    

And Barrs shares with us other tricks of the trade, beginning with location.

To get your first choice, avoid July, August and September, which are the busiest months for weddings here.

Instead, focus on January through April, and you may even get a discounted rate.

Next the cake. They taste good now, Barrs said, so definitely take advantage of the fact that people do cake tastings.

As for the food, visit an event to see your potential caterer in action. That goes for the DJ or band too. You want to see how they interact with the crowd and if that matches your personal style.

In terms of flowers, look carefully at the florist's portfolio and consider seasonal flowers to save money.

When choosing a photographer, Barrs said it's a question of quality.

"The digital age has come out and all of sudden everyone who can shoot a digital camera says, 'Oh I'm going to be a photographer," she said.
 
Remember: You get what you pay for.

And what's the biggest thing bridal couples miss?  Not paying for a wedding video. Many wish after the fact that they'd hired a videographer.

No matter who you hire, make sure you do the following with each vendor:

• Check the business' history with the state attorney general's office, the Better Business Bureau and even Citysearch.
• Get references for each vendor from recent brides with your same budget.
• Look for a vendor who has been in business for awhile.
• And only pay the minimum deposit; never pay in full or you'll lose your leverage

You certainly can plan a wedding without an official wedding planner, but if you're concerned about customer service, it's something to consider.

While you, the bride, are not a repeat customer - the wedding planner often is.