PLANNING WEDDING TO MEET YOUR PERSONALITY/STYLE

Nowadays, couples are looking to find new ways to make their wedding specific to (or suit) their personalities and styles.

I suggest starting with a wedding "Style board" or "Story board". This will give you an immediate idea of what design, colour and style actually work together. Since budget will influence or impact your style board plans, it is necessary you consider the following;

(i) determine who is  paying for what aspects of the wedding,

(ii) set a budget, and

(iii) determine the number of guests each side is allowed to invite. Once these are taken care of, the rest will be easy for you.

As your ideas and budget are mapped out, you can now start refining your style board as you meet and select your wedding vendors or choose to hire a professional wedding consultant. Wedding consultants can inspire your designs, help search for vendors and venues, provide tips, assist with time-consuming errands, and monitor the wedding budget. They can run the show for just the day or they can plan the entire event from beginning to end.

However, think of ways you can incorporate your personal style starting with the ceremony itself. As some couples do, you can write your own vow; your own words reaffirm what is meaningful to you creating a personal experience for your guests.

With more blended families and often children involved, coordinating the traditions of the ceremony seem to throw up a challenge for many. Nevertheless, see this as another way for you to create something unique to you; you don't have to be limited by convention. Ultimately, the ceremony and the events that surround it should be a reflection of what is important to you. Knowing how tradition and eliquette is rooted in society will enable you to adjust the rules when needed and help to avoid big blunders.

Tips for selecting your wedding professionals

According to "WEDDING AFFAIRS", 24th EDITION, interviewing and hiring wedding vendors is one of the more intimidating aspects of wedding planning, especially if you have never had to conduct interviews. Very often, couples are afraid of insulting a vendor if they ask too many questions, or they are concerned about discussing price. Every professional wedding vendor expects to go through rigorous interview process, so you have nothing to fear about that. The following are some tips for selecting the best professionals for your wedding.

• Know your budget for each vendor: Knowing how much you can afford to spend will allow you to narrow your vendor options even before you start the interview process. While you are interviewing, share your budget with the vendor so that he can give you his best options for your price range.
• Start your search by looking at advertisements: You can get some insight into vendor's style by looking at the adverts that he uses. Look for adverts whose style and price matches what you are looking for. See what points he emphasizes for his business. Is he projecting that he is exclusive and expensive, approachable and moderately priced, or the best bargain in town?
• Check out the vendor's websites: This will give you even more insight into the vendor's styles and prices. Preliminary shopping on the Internet will save you time and fuel money!
• Call and email for more information: This will give you  an indication as to how interested the vendor is in your business. Was he available to speak with you right away? Did he promptly return your call or email? Was he genuinely interested in what you want? Was the information that was sent to you personalized?
• Narrow your options to three vendors per category: Once you sort through the dozens of websites from vendors whose adverts you liked, narrow your options into three per category. That's the best way to start the interview process. Visiting more than three vendors per category at a time can get confusing. Don't worry if you don't choose one of the three the first time around... you can always go back and expand your search.
• View samples of past work: Looking at photos is a great way to decide whether or not a vendor's style matches your own. As an added bonus, you might get some good ideas for your wedding from what other couples have done.
• Take note of the vendors' personalities: Choose a vendor who makes you feel at ease. If you are uncomfortable at any time during the interview, move on. There are plenty of high-quality vendors from which to choose.
• Compare features and costs: Remember, the cheapest vendor isn't necessarily the best bargain. Make sure that you know what you are getting for the price you will be paying.
• Ask around: Check with other vendors to see what is peculiar regarding a vendor that you like.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels too good to be true or if you feel uncomfortable for any reason, walk away.

Finding the perfect professional for your wedding doesn't have to be a scary task. Just stay organized and feel confident in your ability to make decisions.

Wedding Checklist

According to wedding planning experts, to plan a successful wedding the use of wedding checklist is important. Also try to delegate the tasks to avoid the big risk of the planning being a burden to you.

Wedding Planning 

It takes at least a year to plan a successful wedding that is highly organized or articulated, with almost zero stress.

Twelve months before the wedding:

Pick a wedding date, decide what type of wedding, and book church or a place for the wedding.

Nine months before the wedding:

Draw up a budget. 

The bride should decide on wedding dress and place an order.

Book reception hall or site. 

Book hotel room for yourselves and reserve accommodations for out-of-town guests.

Book photographer/videographer.

Start planning the guest list.

Assemble your planning team. You can contact a wedding consultant.

Six months before the wedding:

Start planning the wedding party.

Decide toastmaster 

Decide wedding theme 

Order bridesmaid dresses 

Order the bridal bouquet and the floral decoration.

Order printed matters as invitation and thank-you card. 

Start planning the honeymoon.

Four months before the wedding:

Plan the wedding ceremony and meet the wedding officials. 

Select and order music for the marriage and wedding party.

Decide the menu and order food/drink.

Contact rental companies if you need to rent chairs, tables, porcelain, music, equipment, etc. 

Book all the wedding day transportations.

Three months before the wedding:

Plan the wedding day in detail 

Select and order wedding rings

Apply for marriage license 

The bride should buy wedding accessories, shoes, underwear, etc

The bride should also book a stylist and makeup artist 

Book the honeymoon 

Two months before the wedding:

Start sending card

Order wedding cake

Write a purchase list

Write a wedding gift list

Write a marriage settlement, if necessary.

A month before the wedding:

The bride should have final wedding gown fitting

Plan reception and seating chart

Practise the wedding dance

Two weeks before the wedding:

Pick up your wedding rings

Contact the photographer and settle the details

Visit the ceremony and reception site and confirm arrangements

Confirm arrangements with the rental company

Inform all involved involved in the wedding program

Make last-minute adjustment of the seating

A week before the wedding:

Rehearse the wedding ceremony with all involved

Pack and arrange all practical details for the honeymoon

A day before the wedding:

Bring your clothes and luggage to the wedding night hotel

Decorate the wedding site with flowers and other ceremony accessories

Relax as much as possible, and go to bed early.

Wedding day proper:

Bring the bridal bouquet

Double check to make sure that the wedding rings are with you. It's advisable to put the wedding rings in the bridegroom's wedding suit's pocket.

Get married!!!

Post wedding:

Prearrange for someone to return any rentals

Write and send thank-you notes to the wedding guests