Planning Your Wedding

So where do you start?

Do you look at the dress, the reception, the honeymoon and it's seasons, the car, the photographers, the catering or who do you want standing next to you on the day?

There is so much to take in..

First thing is to work out when would yourself and your fiance like to get married?

Are you a summer person?

Or do you prefer the cooler months?

The first thing I recommend to any bride is to look at where you want to get married, the month and what day?

If these all fall into place, then you are blessed..

If not then learn to compromise and breathe deeply...

You may have times where you have to accept that what you want is going to be impossible, so instead of being married on the 1st Saturday in September it becomes the 1st SUNDAY in September... Just smile and always be polite.

Remember the wedding industry may be extensive but people talk and you may loose a deal over your temper.

That gorgeous little church you have always loved has been burnt to the ground, or demolished.

What are you going to do? Are you going to turn into bridezilla or shed a few tears and start looking for somewhere just as special?

Once you have the location, date and month sorted out now you can start to plan the rest of your wedding.

Imagine going and buying the most beautiful heavy lace and satin dress that's more suited to winter and your reception centre of choice or guests can only come in Summer?

What do you do? Sell it on eBay...

Choosing your bridal party.

Without knowing whom you want with you on this special day, you can't really pick dresses, suits or anything personal.

One style of dress may suit one out of the 3 bridesmaids.. or none of them may suit the colour you HAVE to have for the dresses.

Remember, your wedding photos are your treasured memories for a lifetime and looking back and cringing that your party resembled the cast of "Dynasty" is something you won't want..

Believe me I know first hand what that's like...

I have a sister in law who put us all in white satin and organza with lots of silver and dare I say it.. SHOULDER PADS... Yes you can laugh.

She loved it on the day.. but the look dated within 3yrs.. And she has regretted it with every wedding she has been to since.

Don't forget also that not every one looks great in strapless, halter neck or clingy materials.

Once you know who you are having you can start to work on your dresses.

The Style of Wedding.

Are you a church person or more outdoors? City or Vineyards? Beach or Gardens? Reception Venue in the city or Marquee on beautiful lawns in the country?

Working out what you want and can afford is a lot different to
WHAT YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT.

Before you get whisked away at the vision of arriving in a carriage at a quaint sandstone church in the country, ask yourself these few things?

Is there plenty of accommodation for my guests to stay at if it's a late night?

How are my guests going to get there? And would they enjoy the 1hr car ride in Summer to the country side?

Are you able to get everything you need at this location the day before the wedding... without yourself or your parents/groom/best friend having a mental break down?

If you yourself wouldn't appreciate having to go to a wedding like this.. Then my opinion would be, neither would your guests...

So you decide the country isn't for you...

Let's look at the Beach.

Have a back up plan incase of rain... There is nothing like walking around in sand resembling quicksand and trying to smile for all your guests.

If it's a hot day be prepared for no privacy.. Well not unless you own the beach.

Even then be prepared for any guests that might feel faint, get heat stroke, sunburnt or any young attendants that feel the need to strip off out of their suits/dresses and get wet.

You won't be saying "Aren't they just gorgeous" when they decide to splash water all over you or your guests.

How far from the beach is the reception venue?

If it's on the beach how much fly spray and insect repellant can you stand the smell of?

Do you mind walking barefoot on sand, all day...

And how will you feel about having sand in EVERYTHING.

Okay,Okay... I hear you say lets go traditional and get married in the church.

The Church Wedding

What denomination? Church or Cathedral? Anglican or High Anglican? New Christian? Do you go to church?

Every denomination will be different. High Anglican are a lot more stuffy and strict that you think.

Also, they don't like you using your own style of music.

Cathedrals look great...but unless your last name is Windsor then expect the place to look half empty.

Don't forget a lot of churches have youth groups and cell groups these days, so Saturday afternoons and evenings may be already heavily booked for their own use.

I have worked as a wedding planner myself and I have organised the bride, the mother of the bride, the decorations, chair covers, the reception, the food even down to helping the MC with his speeches.

Before that I worked in Marketing & Public Relations for many, many years...

Given my background and experience I thought I had just a little bit of advice to offer and also being that I got to wear the beautiful white dress just two years ago myself.

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