Your Wedding – Planning is everything!
Your Wedding Planning is everything!
Your Wedding Planning is everything!
Every girl dreams of her wedding day: The perfect white gown, prince charming waiting at the end of the isle, the chapel bursting with perfume fragrance emitting from the beautiful floral decor enveloping the chapel pews..... The fact is, a lot of work and even more planning goes into a wedding.
So, he's finally mustered up the courage to pop the big question, you happily excepted, and now you're engaged to the love of your life. After all the excitement of this big step has settled, you realize you actually have no idea where to begin or what to do, and soon you feel way in over your head. Relax, take a deep breath, and follow this easy guide:
Firstly, the most important (and probably the most boring) part of kicking off your planning is to sit with your fianc and discuss the budget. That's right! You can't book a venue or a DJ without knowing if you have the means to pay for it all. Putting your budget on paper doesn't mean to get quotes and approximate the amount of money you will need to pay for it all. No, it means physically knowing how much money you HAVE to work with. This will also help you to stay within your means to pay for the wedding, and not making debt is the best advice I can give you. You don't want to enter into a new part of life with old baggage.
After the budget is set (in stone!), you can start with your to do list. This is handy when combined with your budget to help you keep track how much money was spent and on what, as well as keeping you in check with what has been done and what still needs to be done. There are many free wedding planning check lists available online, or you can purchase a wedding planner at most bridal boutiques.
Start with your guest list. You make a list of the guests you would like at the wedding and your future spouse does the same. After you have your two lists, start off by having a look at your budget again. This will help you realize how big a number of guests you can truly afford to invite remember, you bare the cost of each guest's food, and in some cases, drinks as well. If you need to shorten the list, I suggest keeping your family and closest friends, and only adding to that the friends and/or colleagues you see on a regular basis. If you haven't seen a person in the past 6 months, chances are they don't play much of a role in your life. Prioritise which people are more important to you and which people you know will still be a part of your lives in the distant future.
View and book your venue. Decide on the area where you would like to have your wedding and start searching. Book a visit to all your favourite venues. The reason you should visit the venue is to ensure that the venue caters to your guest list size. The more heads you have, the more space you will require. When looking into venues, take note of things you will need. Do you and your fianc love dancing? If not, there's no need for a venue with a dance floor. Also on inquiry, ask the venue manager what is included with the price such as chairs, tables, table clothes, cutlery, or a chapel. When you are sure of the venue of your choice, book it and pay the deposit, or if possible, settle the account. It is advisable to book a venue at least 12 months before the wedding as this usually lowers the cost of the venue and you will need about 12 months to plan your wedding. Also, at this point, you should establish whether your marriage officer and (if you are not using the chapel of the venue) and the church is available on the set date.
Your venue is booked and planned, and now you need to look at your honeymoon. If the groom wants to keep it a surprise for the bride, the groom needs to notify the bride of how many days she will need to leave for. When this has been discussed, both bride and groom need to request leave for the honeymoon.
Next, it's time to choose your wedding party (best man, maid of honour, groomsmen and brides maids) and your master of ceremony, and book you marriage officer. Also now is the perfect time to start the search for your dream dress and book a DJ. Remember to check down your to-do list as you go along.
Choosing decor for you big day should be much easier when choosing a theme or "mood" for the occasion. Not keen on a theme? Then use your favourite colours as inspiration. Your decor should include the table draping of the tables in the reception hall, as well as chair covers, chandeliers, etc. Most decor is available for hire from the venues.
Choose a florist keeping in mind the logistics. Flowers don't do well in cars or in heat, so remember to discuss all these variables with your florist. Choosing flowers will depend on season availability and the colour you require. Roses are pretty much in season right through the year, but it you would prefer something different, check with your florist.
Choosing the catering and cake is probably one of the most fun things to do. Get ready for taste testing appointments (and hitting the gym a little more often). The catering will depend on your budget and the time of day the wedding will take place. Most caterers will take this into account before preparing any menu, and will set up taste test appointments to ensure your happiness in the chosen menu. As for the cake, tastes differ, thus the flavour will be up to you. But as for the decor of the cake and the layers, this will all depend on your budget.
From here on in, all planning which is left is the smaller details. Design your invites, make or order table gifts for the guests and choose jewellery for the bride. The Groom and groomsmen should have a suite fitting day during which the suites will be tailored, and the bridesmaid's dresses should be chosen, shoes and other accessories for the bridal party should be purchased. Transport for the bride to the chapel / church and the reception should be booked, and all honeymoon related tasks such as passports, booking the honeymoon suite, etc, should be done now. Trails for makeup and hair must be booked, and get the marital contract in order, and if you are planning on marrying out of community of property all policies and medical aid should be sorted out.
The next step is to setup a registry at your favourite store, confirm all addresses of guests and send out the invitations. It is advisable to send out invitations two to three months before the wedding. Draft a time table for the whole wedding. This will be supplied to the caterer, wedding co-ordinator (if you required one) and DJ for their scheduling planning. You also need to confirm all your bookings and make your last minute appointments with suppliers. Also you will need to book accommodation for your guests ( if necessary) and buy a guestbook.
Within the last month prior to your wedding you will need to print the name cards for the tables, the table plan, table numbers, menus and ceremony program. You will also need to book and confirm a photographer and supply him/her with a list of family photos you require. If the bridesmaids dresses were made and not purchased, now it the time for their final fitting. Buy a small gift for each person forming the bridal party, as well as for your parents, just as a small thank you to them for their help and support. Your wedding rings should be collect and ensured to fit. Break in your wedding shoes and organise something old, new, borrowed and blue.
1Week prior to the wedding, collect the suites and bridesmaid dresses. Confirm date and time with all suppliers and send out time tables to them, confirm the guest count for the caterer. Collect your wedding dress. Now would also be a good time to choose a person who will hand out the programs at the chapel/church. Have a manicure and pedicure which will leave you feeling pampered and help you settle the nerves. Also, spoil you bridesmaids to a special lunch together.
The day before the wedding pack your honeymoon luggage, pamper yourself with a bubble bath and/or a massage, and remember to GO TO BED EARLY!
On the day of your wedding the most important thing is to get a healthy breakfast. Remember, you will be standing for a while in the chapel / church, your nerves will start to get the better of you and it is going to be a long day. Get dressed and scoot of to your wedding.
Remember to enjoy every moment although it's a long day, it goes by faster than a blink of an eye!
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