Every bride and groom wants their wedding to be perfect. Although weddings are highly emotional events, they typically involve numerous business transactions as well for wedding consultants, clothes, invitations, flowers, photography, reception halls, catering, music, transportation and travel packages. Since the average wedding costs more than $15,000, BBB advises engaged couples and their families to make wise consumer decisions when planning weddings. The following suggestions can prevent problems before, after or during your wedding:

• Decide what style of wedding you want (for example, big or small, formal or informal, winter or summer) and begin planning as far ahead as possible.
• Set a budget for your wedding, and stick to it.
• Research businesses you are considering working with. Call the BBB for a reliability report on the company.
• Talk to other couples and learn about their experiences.
• Since many services and merchandise must be purchased or ordered months in advance, you want to deal with well-established and financially stable businesses. Don't just hire the least expensive company.
• Review samples of the service provider's work before booking.
• Obtain a detailed written contract for everything. Include the sizes, colours, product descriptions, prices and delivery dates.
• Get in writing the company's policy on cancellation and returning of any deposits paid.
• Keep deposits as small as possible as many are non-refundable.
• Schedule extra delivery time. Don't be lured by the lowest price.
• Don't be pressured into buying something you don't want or need.

Finally, confirm all services one or two weeks prior to the event. You don't want any unpleasant surprises on your wedding day.

BBB now has an interface for mobile phones providing those using hand held devices an easy way to see the search and search results.

The interface is located at m.bbb.org, but this site is configured so that from a user perspective, the process is completely automated. When a hand held device user accesses www.bbb.org, they will be directed automatically to this interface. This interface will adapt to an iPhone, Blackberry, or other Windows mobile device.

One of the features of this interface is that search results include the phone numbers of BBB Accredited Businesses. Thanks to these smart devices, a click on the phone number will call the business. In addition, when a mobile device supports it, maps for the business location will display on click. Finally, the interface footer has a link to the Find A BBB page on the national site to enable mobile users to view the full Web site if necessary.

BBB TrustBrief is a FREE weekly e-mail newsletter designed for small businesses owners, employees, and friends. Click here, for more information or to sign-up

iGoogle is a more personal way to use Google.com. Customize your page anyway you like, by adding your favorite themes and gadgets from across the web.

Now you can you to check out a business or charity with the BBB, Google Gadget!

During the month of February 2009 the following businesses (listed alphabetically by their city/town where they are located) renewed their Accreditation with BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta and their commitment to trust and reliability in business.

BBB wishes to thank these businesses and urges all consumers and businesses to support these and other BBB Accredited Businesses, listed by their type of business (TOB) in our Accredited Business Roster or searchable by their business name in Company Reports. Using our e-Quote system, consumers and purchasers can also request prices and information from BBB Accredited Businesses.

Acheson, Spruce Grove

Dave's Diesel Repair, 4 Seasons Roofing Inc; Econo Lube; Herbal Magic Weight Loss & Nutrition Centres

Athabasca, Busby, Rochester Morinville

Holt Group Of Companies, Busy Bee Mart Ltd, Hark Electric, Waterhouse Mechanical, Tawatinaw Valley Doors

Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Fort Saskatchewan

Telephone Connections Inc, Accounting Plus Ltd, Fort Technology Group

Calgary

Econo-Chem

Camrose, Lougheed, New Sarepta

Cam-Tel Communications Ltd, Tamitik Industries Ltd, Larson's Waterwell Drilling Ltd

Clairmont, Grande Prairie, Peace River, Spirit River

Astro Car & Truck Sales Ltd, Big Rig G P Ltd, Don Golden Autobody Ltd, Expert Mobile Communications Ltd, Pride H2S Safety & Medical Services, Kenry Electric Ltd, K & M Building Contractors Ltd

Edmonton

A Plus Painting ,  Aaron Acceptance Corporation ,  Accord Collision & Painting Ltd ,  Ace Video & Photography ,  Albert's Auto Body (1989) ,  Alberta Dental Association & College ,  Ar-Jays Lawn Garden & Snow Equipment 2000 ,  Arctic Spas & Leisure Products Inc ,  ATB Financial (Corporate Office) ,  B D R C Investments Ltd ,  Bath Solutions - AFC Tub Liners ,  Blazer Insurance Ltd ,  Bruce Stewart's Auto Repair Centre ,  Bulldog Self Storage ,  Century Casino Edmonton ,  Ceridian Canada Ltd ,  City Glass And Supply Ltd ,  Classic Caregivers Ltd ,  Colrus Motors Ltd ,  Computerized Complete Auto Maintenance & Repair Centre Ltd ,  Credit Counselling Services of Alberta ,  D & D Hotshot Service Ltd ,  Daisy Maid Housekeeping Service ,  Dollar Drugs ,  Don Wheaton Chevrolet Oldsmobile Ltd ,  Dot Transmissions Ltd ,  Dudak Intenberg Inc Corporate Management Consultants ,  EEC Motors Ltd ,  Estate Properties Inc ,  Foothills Creamery Ltd ,  G M L Home Services Ltd ,  George's Landscape Contractor ,  GRB College Of Welding ,  H & M Carpet Care ,  Harold's Auto Body Ltd ,  Howard & McBride Westlawn Funeral Home ,  Howlund International Corporation ,  Hughes Petroleum Ltd ,  Ideal Sundecks (1979) Ltd ,  Impact Painting Services ,  Infolink Inc ,  Investors Group Financial Services Inc ,  Ironco Master Builders ,  K4 Contracting Ltd ,  Kopy Centre & Printing ,  LUCED Services Ltd ,  Mark's Contracting ,  MC Renovations Ltd ,  McBain Camera Ltd ,  Monarch Floors (1953) Inc ,  N S Pawliuk & Son Contracting Ltd ,  Nearctic Group ,  Necula White Glove Services Inc ,  Newview Homes Ltd ,  Nicholson Chevrolet (1977) Ltd ,  Northern Lights Vacations Ltd ,  NuView Windows & Doors Inc ,  Pyramid Concrete And Consulting Ltd ,  Quality Electric And Alarm Systems Ltd ,  Quicker Rooter Plumbing & Heating Ltd ,  Quikcard Solutions Inc ,  Rieger McIntyre ,  Rogers Sleep Shop Ltd ,  Roto-Rooter Sewer & Drain Cleaning Service ,  Royal Mini & R V Storage Inc ,  Safefreight Technology Ltd ,  Safety Net Security Ltd ,  SCF Concrete Finishing Ltd ,  Servicemaster Disaster Restoration ,  Solution Home Buyers Inc ,  Spar Construction Ltd ,  Sportscan Summit Clothing - Embroidery & Promotional Products Inc ,  Stewart & Craig Financial Corp. ,  Sundance Mazda ,  Sundance Spas of Edmonton ,  Tanner Entertainment ,  Tera-Byte Dot Com Inc ,  The Lease Coach ,  The Smilezone ,  TLC Transitions ,  Total Touch Contracting Inc ,  Touch of Clean ,  Treasury Restaurant ,  Universal Rewind (1975) Ltd ,  Urbanity Custom Homes Ltd ,  Uretek Canada Inc ,  Village Auto & Tire Service ,  Vinton Centre Carpets Ltd ,  W E Young Renovations ,  Waterloo Ford Lincoln ,  WBS Wholesale Bakery Specialties Ltd ,  Western Canada Fire & First Aid Inc ,  Western Waterproofing And Kustom Concrete

Edson, Grande Cache, Jasper

Mint Homes Ltd, J C Automotive, Edge Control Ltd, Jasper Concrete

Innisfail, Rimbey, Stettler

Kinuso, Whitecourt

Mainland Construction Ltd, Amerispec

Innisfail Truck Ranch, Action Autobody, Action Plumbing & Excavating (1998) Ltd

Lloydminster

City Locksmithing & Security Ltd, Dave's Auto Service Experts Ltd, Designer's Choice (Lloyd) Ltd

Red Deer

Budal Construction Ltd, Cunningham Electric Ltd, Lee Roy Enterprises Ltd, Northland Radiator Service Ltd, Parkland Fireplace, Trail Appliances Ltd

Sherwood Park

Caron Transportation Systems, Teen Plus Driving School Co Ltd

St Albert

Butterfly Tile Ltd, L B H Building Supplies Inc, Mitchell Renovations Ltd, Rob Roy Ditching & Excavating Ltd, Sturgeon Professional Drycleaners

Bookmark this link to see our monthly list of Renewed Accredited Businesses.

Bookmark this link to see our monthly list of New Accredited Businesses.

During February 2009, BBB^® Serving Central and Northern Alberta received the following complaints and inquiries about businesses in the following industries: (Ranked from highest to the lowest)

Bookmark this link to see our monthly list of Top 10 Compaints and Inquiries.