Friday 21 May 2010

Why Wedding Checklist Is Important?

Is a wedding checklist important? Why do you need it? Do you think everything you have on your mind will be ready on your big day? Don’t you think of the opportunities of missing something? If you don't have a wedding checklist you're asking for trouble. No matter how good your memory is you'd be very unwise to rely on it for every little detail you have to remember concerning your wedding. 
 
In such an important day for you, it would be a crying shame if it was spoiled simply because you failed to plan properly in the first place - and a properly constructed checklist is the very best way you can ensure that all of your wedding plans come to fruition. 
 
Creating a wedding checklist tailored to your specific needs and desires will certainly help to relieve the inevitable stress, particularly as the special day gets closer. Having a well thought out wedding checklist will ensure that you don't forget anything and will enable you to relax, safe in this knowledge, and enjoy the day itself. 
 
Here are some of the things you should put on your checklist are setting the wedding date and time, reserving the date with a florist, photographer and DJ; reserving the church and reception location. These are the first things that should be done in the planning stages six to twelve months before the wedding day itself. 
 
Other important things for your checklist include planning a budget, choosing the wedding party and ordering the invitations. You also need to make arrangements for a wedding dress, hairdressing and makeup. Not forgetting that you also need to arrange for co-coordinated clothing for your wedding attendants and, of course, you need to arrange the all-important wedding rings with a jeweler. 
 
It is necessary that all of the above major things should be arranged as early as possible so that you have plenty of time for the small details later. 
 
Reminders are helpful. Don't forget to ensure that you put reminders on your list for closer to the date. Reminders for ordering your wedding flowers, the wedding cake, addressing and sending invitations, a final fitting for the wedding dress and groom's outfit and placing a wedding announcement in the local press etc. 
 
About a month to six weeks before your big day you should go over your wedding checklist to make absolutely sure you haven't forgotten anything. There are, of course, many more things than those listed above that you will need to put on your specific wedding planning checklist that are personal to your wedding, but the above will give you an idea of the things you need to include. 
 
Being well-organized with your checklist will help you having plenty of time to complete each task. With this checklist, your wedding will be as what you have dreamed!
 

Your Wedding Budget: Setting And Sticking To It

Want to make sure your marriage doesn't end up on the rocks before you get to the chapel? Then set a realistic wedding budget -- and stick to it.
 
In the process of planning a wedding, budget concerns often is a source of disagreement for a couple. They may have different ideas about what kind of wedding they want, and about what they can afford. To make the wedding a truly happy occasion, it is important that the couple discusses financial constraints early.
 
Set A Budget And Save For It
 
The first tip is -- discuss finances before the wedding plans begin. Everyone involved in the decision-making process needs to understand exactly how much money is available for the wedding.
 
To maximize that budget, you should start saving early for your wedding. Advance planning and saving will allow you to maintain or even exceed your budget, comfortably. And that will make wedding planning easier and more fun.  
 
Get Everyone On-Board
 
Once your wedding budget has been established, set it aside for a few days and then review it again. This gives everyone a chance to let the information sink in. The budget review after this waiting period gives the participants a chance to verify that they understand and agree to the budget. This is vitally important, because someone who does not agree with the budget may overspend in 1 area, leaving the rest of the budget in jeopardy.  
 
Budget Line Items
 
When you've decided exactly how much money is available for your wedding, the next step is to divide the total into budget categories, such as the venue, food and drink, bride's attire, groom's attire, transportation, entertainment, photography, favours, centrepieces, and gifts. It is also advisable to set aside money for unforeseen expenses.  
 
Who Pays
 
Part of establishing a budget is to be clear on who will pay for what.  
 
Shopping And Negotiating
 
You will need to negotiate contracts for services, and so you must know the budget for each area of the wedding. If you have allotted £250 for entertainment, look for a DJ whose rate is approximately that amount, then negotiate to ensure that you remain under budget.
  
It's wise to shop around and compare prices for services. A company may come highly recommended, but if they are outside your price range, let them know why you are going to have to choose another company. You may be surprised at how willing they will be to give you a better offer.
 
Substitute Creativity For Cash
 
Doing things on your own is another way to stay under budget. Homemade invitations or making your own favours or centrepieces can greatly reduce the wedding cost, freeing up funds for other areas of the wedding.  
 
Do not fall into the trap of viewing your budget as restrictive. Instead of thinking about what you can't afford, focus on how you can make your wedding and reception truly unique. You will be inspired to create a wonderful, memorable wedding regardless of your budget constraints.  
 
Anticipate The Unforeseen
 
Realize that there are bound to be snags along the way. If you go over budget in 1 area, you will need to cut the budget in another area. As long as you stay aware of your spending and realize the ramifications of all your actions, you can roll with the punches and alter your plans to accommodate any needed changes.
 
Make It A Wonderful Memory
 
A wedding budget can cause emotional strain on a couple and their relationship. It is important for them to discuss their finances and establish a clear budget for their wedding plans. Doing this early in the wedding planning process can help the couple to avoid conflict during the planning phase of the wedding. It can also make the wedding more fun for everyone, and start out the marriage on a positive note. 
 
After all, working together is what a marriage is all about.
 

Thursday 6 May 2010

Planning That Perfect Wedding

Getting married is a big step.  It is the day that girls dream of as the most momentous event of their lives.  Preparations fall on the bride to ensure that this becomes a special day.  
 
A perfect wedding – every bride’s dream come true.  For many girls, kissing with a backdrop of a beautiful sunset is the best, or a horse-drawn carriage stopping at a castle, or maybe even an exotic ceremony made special by a native tradition.  However the wedding may be, some may require that very special venue, albeit overseas.
 
Weddings held within the community are not easy as it is, but why sell yourself short on this momentous occasion?  Why not go for a special destination?  The ambiance and the romanticism of the affair will make it a wedding to remember and that should be worth it.  Besides, “destination weddings” could end up costing less by making it more intimate with just the couple, immediate family members and a few close friends.  
 
So what do you do?  Where do you start?
 
Start with yourself.  What kind of wedding do you want?  Do you want to be married in a castle, at the beach, at a hilltop, in a world-famous cathedral or in a renowned garden?  Once you’ve decided on the kind of venue you want, you can choose the best country where you can find these venues.
 
 
The oldest cathedrals in the world are found in Europe.  The basic element of cathedral weddings is the strict adherence to traditional Christian precepts – minimum age requirement, parental guidance, certificates of baptism of the bride and the groom, a white gown for the bride and a ceremony that should include a liturgy.  Aside from these, other aspects – grand choir, lengthy entourage, and flamboyant church decors – are all optional.
 
For gardens, beaches, hilltops, castles and other venues, the list of requirements vary depending on the country.  
 
The first thing to do is to get as much information about weddings in the venue.  This can be done online.  Websites and brochures will normally have a list of what is required.  If the place is a national treasure, your local embassy would have this too.  
 
There will also be paperwork to do and you’ll need to take care of legal matters.  Gather all the papers you will need – birth certificates, passports, proofs of identity, etc.  Make copies of everything.
 
You have to make sure of the requirements for the validity of the wedding ceremony in the country of your choice.  Coordinate with your own consulate in that country for guidelines.  Also, determine if the country requires a minimum residency period for people who get married there, and keep that in mind when making the preparations.
 
As for your list of guests, you will have to be firm about this.  Many people will want the chance to travel, so choose well.
 
Once you’ve decided what you want, you can begin to shop for a wedding coordinator in that country to do all the work for you.  Or you can opt to coordinate yourself and enjoy the thrills of getting into the details.  Either way, you are just beginning the exciting journey to being married.
 
Good luck!
 
 

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