Tips for Planning your Perfect Wedding.

Planning a wedding can be interesting for some and stressful for the others.

For us, it’s something we love to do, over and over again. As we meet, different personalities with different concepts and ideas.

When planning, there are just so many things to cover, from choosing the right reception site and finding reliable vendors to sticking to a budget, not to mention taking care of creative details like the food, IV, décor and so on. It takes a lot of work to get it all done, and you're probably getting nervous just reading this.

 

But then, Relax! We guarantee this comprehensive guide to your most important wedding planning moves will help make your celebration—and your first stint as a party-throwing diva—a resounding success.

 1. Discuss your "vision." Sit down with your fiancé and talk about your idea of a "dream" wedding. Cover as many details as you can: Will it be Big or Small? Indoor or outdoor? Formal or casual? Home or destination?  After party or not?  Will the reception have a theme—Fairytale, Hollywood, Whimsical, winter wonderland with glittering crystal everywhere?

Don't leave anything out, no matter how extravagant .Doing this will identify what's important to both of you and also help you decide what's feasible.

2. Find your style. Before you book a single appointment or make a wedding-related purchase, start browsing through website sand magazines to generate ideas how you would want to event to look. You could be inspired by anything, so look around for an inspiration you can build on for all your wedding details.

 3. Establish a budget. If you are planning a wedding then you do need a budget except maybe you have been issued a blank cheque then you could ignore it

 First, figure out who's paying for what and note it down. Or simply ask around for the prices of services and decide on what you can afford. Make sure everyone involved knows what their paying for and the timelines for payment. Keep a complete list and send reminders when necessary.

Ensure your figures are within what’s convenient so you don’t start your marriage by overspending or with debt. 

 4. Be Creative: Try and think of ways to make your wedding different from all the others you’ve ever been too. Make it YOUR wedding and personalize in as many ways as possible. You can –change into something different for the reception, have your bridesmaids choose their own dresses so they don't all look alike, sing at the reception(only if you have a lovely voice).You're only limited by your imagination. So think and be creative

5. Written contracts: Ask your vendor to create or send you contracts or invoices and be sure you understand what you both agreed on before you sign.  If the venue will need overtime fee if you party lingers past the agreed paid time, all should be stated. . Any changes you make after you've signed the contract should also be in writing, not just verbal agreements. Taxes, service charges all should be included as you don’t want to start getting invoices or requests for payments for what wasn’t agreed initially or stated.

 6. Keep copies: Keep copies of all payments made, either by cash, checks or transfers, have the vendor send you a receipt of the service or product paid for and keep your own details for all payments.

7. Organize like a Pro: Keep meticulous records of all your wedding details on an Ipad, laptop or computer, in a Filofax or book whatever system works best for you, .Don’t try to keep it all in your head. Just keep it where you can access immediately the need arises.

Get all the phone numbers, email addresses and office details of all your vendors’ .And use your speed dials for the ones you call the most. And, have a pen and wedding planning book (could just be a hardcover book/jotter) on hand at all times: You never know when an idea will strike.

 8. Choosing vendors: You want the value for your money. So, ask recently married friends and family for recommendations and meet the prospective vendors in person. Check samples of their work, and ask for and check references (talk to a few recent clients).Choose people that you can relate well with since you'll be spending a lot of time together, so you want to click with the people you decide on. You also need to be sure they can understand you.

 9. Consider getting help: Any recent bride will tell you, throwing a wedding, is interesting but also isn’t easy. That's why it may be smart to bring in an expert. A wedding planner will do everything from finding you an excellent photographer based on your needs and budget to confirming the venue setup time and arranging and coordinating all your vendors on the day of the wedding.
 
Want to wow your guests with a themed event? Your pro can tell you what's in—and out. She can even save you money. One true fact is that: Successful planners get discounts from preferred vendors by giving them a lot of repeat business, so they gladly pass on the discounts to you. So, try not to worry about the planner’s fees as they discounts would you earn back would pay it and also save you the hassles of planning the event.
Just in case, you have all the details planned out and you don’t need a full planner? Consider getting someone to coordinate the reception site and all the other onsite vendors on your big-day only—he/she'll make sure things run smoothly so you won't have to worry.

10. Needs and Wants: It’s very important for you to know the difference. Your needs are items needed to make your day work while your wants are things that should come after ALL the needs have been sorted. Needs are venue, food…..while wants are customized dance floors, customized souvenirs.

11. Browse, browse and browse: The Internet is a click way, so you can check all the vendors online. From venues, makeup, dresses, food….everything is up for you to see and compare. So before you schedule appointments, run through the vendors detail online, if available. Just don't book someone based on the beauty of the site alone, while a professional-looking site is a good sign, it's no guarantee the service will match. Again, visit vendors in person and always check references.

12. Try Negotiating: Wondering if you can get a better rate from a vendor? Don’t be shy, ask! The worst that can happen is the person says no. Remember that wedding professionals don't want to turn you away; they want to seal the deal. So they may very well be willing to work with you for a little less than the quoted rate.so try your luck, you never can say, if you’ll get lucky!

13. Band or DJ: Of course, you can have them both, though the key to finding the type you want is by seeing a live performance. This would help you decide as to whether they fit your event or not. If seeing live performance won’t be possible, simply get a CD of their performance.

Don’t book on hearsay alone. Be sure they are what you want.

14. A most needed trial: Don't wait until your day to let your makeup artist do your makeup. Trial makeup is so important; the fact that you have seen his/her jobs doesn’t clinch it. Let the artist do a trial for you so he/she can have an idea of the look to do on the D-day. Most especially to familiarize and create trust factor and not a fear factor on the big day.

Same goes for your hair, consult your regular stylist or a pro to help you create the look weeks or months before the big day to be sure that’s the look for you and no unexpected surprises.

15. Make a great first impression:  Your invitations are the guests' first glimpse of your wedding's tone and style, so try as much as possible to create an impression. So, get creative! Do you have a wedding theme? Incorporate it; let them start imagining what the day would look like. Go through IVs you have gotten in the past that caught your fancy, go online, be inspired!

16. Pay attention to timing: Weddings that people recall fondly tend to have what's called "flow." This simply means that the event was carefully thought-out. Get a professional compere that would make the event go smoothly.be sure to see an event or ask from his references before choosing so you don’t have someone getting vulgar, tribalistic or reeling out dry jokes. Your guests need to have a nice time.

17. Get amazing shots: Photographs and videotape are the lasting mementos of your wedding so don’t skip or be rigid in order to save money. Hire people whose works you love and whom you trust, and let them know your must-have shots. These are memories that would last a lifetime.

And case of a photographer you can always have pre wedding session ; which would help you familiarize yourselves with the photographer.

18. Having a destination wedding?: If you’re not based in the location where your big day is scheduled to hold, make enquires and get a good onsite planner/coordinator that can provide you with all the information you need. Ask family and friends as well but ensure you are careful before you start making payments. Check the vendors and get references.

19. Show appreciation: Get nice gifts to for bridesmaids and groomsmen with a thank you note/ cards to your guests, to appreciate them for honoring you and your event. Sure you have attended weddings where the bride and groom seem to consider it a privilege that they've invited you, when in reality it's a privilege for them that you've come to help kick off their life together.

 20. Beware of hidden charges. When you're comparing prices among caterers, for instance, don't just look at per-person rates. Your final bill will likely include all sorts of additional charges, from table covers to waiters, charger plates and so on that will push that number up significantly. To avoid surprises, ask to see a final bill. Same goes for other vendors as well. And most especially the Venue, as some charge separately for the stage, changing room, cake table and extra hours.

21. Costing costs: Reducing your guest list is a great way of costing costs in a wedding. The higher the number of guests, the higher the cost of the wedding.

22. Think about your guests' comfort: Try as much as possible to get to the reception on time, also for convenience, choose a reception venue that's no more than a 30-minute drive from the ceremony site. If you have a number of elderly invitees, avoid picking a venue that requires them to walk up several flights of stairs, and don't place them next to the band's speakers during the reception.

23. Take care of yourself: Smart brides take time to pamper themselves throughout the planning process, getting regular massages, manicures and other feel-good treatments. But many let these things slide in the final hectic weeks when they're making last-minute arrangements .So take time out and enjoy yourself and spend time with your husband to be.

24. Trust the professionals you've hired to do their jobs, and appoint your wedding planner or a wedding coordinator, to be the point person for that day, just in case something goes awry. This way, you can set your sights on fully enjoying each and every moment.

Anymore tips? please share............................