Mae Andrea asked:
When you begin your wedding planning you will quickly realize that one person cannot possible accomplish it all on their own. So it is vital you learn to delegate. But which tasks within your wedding planning should you delegate & which should you do or ditch?
Here are some ideas to help you.
12 Months to Go
Do: When you start looking for your wedding dress take two people with you but no more than this as bridal boutiques can be cramped places. Choose two people who will help keep your feet on the ground but who will not try to influence your final decision. Your choice of wedding dress is yours & yours alone.
Do: Start looking for your wedding venue. The best venues will have a long waiting list so the sooner you start looking the more likely it will be that you will get your first choice.
Do: Book you other important vendors such as your photographer, florist & cake designer. You should also start looking for your evening entertainment.
Ditch: Stop worrying about the hen night. That should be left in the capable hands of your maid of honor.
Delegate: Ask your fiancé to organize the wedding insurance before you begin paying out for any of the expensive elements of your wedding. Also make all your large purchases with a credit card.
4 – 6 Months to Go
Do: Confirm all the arrangements for the ceremony with your minister or officiant.
Do: Send out your save the date cards & order your invitations & wedding cake.
Do: Have your first dress fitting & choose your bridal lingerie.
Ditch: Avoid choosing any hair accessories until you have decided on your hairstyle for the day & had a trial run with a stylist. You should also wait until after you have bought your wedding dress.
Delegate: Ask your fiancé & best man to arrange their own attire for the wedding day, including suits for the other male members of the wedding party.
1 – 2 Months to Go
Do: Confirm your final numbers & send out your invitations.
Do: Set up your gift registry.
Ditch: Stop trying to find out what will be in the best man’s speech!
Delegate: Ask your mother to write your place cards.
1 Week to Go
Do: Call all your suppliers & vendors to confirm all the details & to make sure everything is in place.
Do: Write out a list of the essential photographs you want your photographer to take.
Do: Have a final trial run of your hair & make up.
24 Hours to Go
Do: Put the finishing touches to your reception.
Do: Relax & enjoy yourself at the rehearsal dinner.
Ditch: Worrying!
Delegate: Ask your father to take the honeymoon luggage to the hotel.
NICKERSON
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Jen Carter asked:
Here is a list of 5 wedding planning tips that happen to get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of wedding arrangements. While wedding planning is important, sticking to the plans are by far of more importance. After all, what good is having a plan if you’re not going to follow through with it?
The following 5 tips are intended to guide you through your wedding planning as smoothly as possible:
1. DON’T GO OVER BUDGET! We’ve seen it happen time and time again. Newly wed couples thing they have everything figured out to the penny. But when the wedding is over they’re left with unpaid bills and unexpected expenses. The solution? Don’t go over budget! Plan everything for your wedding in advance: the cost of the caterer, DJ, photographer, and any other vendors you intend to hire. A word of advice: Don’t invite your cousin’s sister’s husband’s brother if you can not afford to feed him and his family. Start with immediate family and close friends-continue from there. It’s really rude (and embarrassing) to dis-invite someone at the last minute (because you discovered you can’t afford it!).
2. ORDER WEDDING ATTIRE EARLY Picture it: The Groom’s Best Man is wearing a tuxedo that’s three times too large for his body. The Bride’s Maid’s dress is so tight , she can barely breathe! These are horrific scenarios that actually do happen and need last minute resolutions. Don’t put yourself through this chaos. Get everyone fitted for their dresses and tuxedos as early as 6-8 months in advance. Ladies-don’t forget wedding accessories!
3. BOOK ACCOMODATIONS EARLY In some tourist frequented cities, guest accommodations need to be set up to a year in advance! Call resorts/hotels and book a set amount of rooms for your guests on a specific date. Be certain to have enough rooms for all of your out-of-town guests. Shop around for several accommodations, as your guests may be on a budget too! Especially if they just paid to travel to your location.
4. GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM YOUR OWN COUNTRY If you’ve decided to have a destination wedding-don’t arrive at that destination without a marriage license. Most states have a 30-60 day turn-around rate with marriage licenses. It’s worth the wait. Why, you ask? Different countries have different marriage customs and requirements. Nevertheless, you should bring your new marriage license with you wherever you are going to marry. If you are re-marrying, bring your divorce papers as well.
5. BEAUTIFICATION CAN GET UGLY Bad tans, allergic reactions to hair dye or other chemicals can be a nightmare. Don’t until the last minute to get a pre-wedding ‘make-over.’ Facials and waxing can also leave unwanted blotches, burns, and breakouts for those wedding photographs! Make all beautician appointments a week or two in advance. Part of good wedding planning is being the ‘early bird’ make sure everything is in place nice and early inthe planning stages.
TINSLEY
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Mae Andrea asked:
When it comes to your wedding reception you may feel the need to design a seating plan so that you assign your guests a particular table with other guests that they will feel comfortable with. However, in some cases a seating plan may not be necessary. When it comes to this part of your wedding planning, read these tips first to make sure you organize your seating to perfection!
Do I need a Seating Plan?
If your wedding reception is small & informal then a seating plan may not be necessary. However, if you are having a large number of guests & a formal sit down dinner then it is a good idea to draw up a seating plan so that you guests can find a table quickly & efficiently. Many of your guests will want to sit with family & friends so a seating plan will prevent a mad rush of guests all trying to sit together at the same tables! Having a seating plan that places people who will get along together will help to create the happy atmosphere that you want for your wedding meal & will make a difference to your guest’s enjoyment of the day.
Within your wedding planning you will find a number of options available for your seating plan. These range from:
No plan at all – best for standing buffets or small & informal events.
Assign guests to tables – you allocate guests to tables but the choice of seat is theirs.
Assign guests to seats – you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.
When it comes to deciding on a seating plan, bear in mind that you should do what you think will make your guests most comfortable.
The Top Table Dilemma
The traditional top table is a long table on which sits the bride & groom in the center & the rest of the wedding party beside them. Whilst this is still the favored choice, there are other alternatives being used as family structures become more complicated.
Traditionally the top table would look something like this:
Chief Bridesmaid–G.Father–B.Mother-Groom-Bride-B.Father-G.Mother-Best Man
Alternatives are used where parents are divorced & maybe remarried or have a new partner. Another popular choice is to do away with the top table altogether & just have a table for the two of you.
Top Tips for Other Tables
1. Seating families or close friends all on one table may not do much to encourage mingling between guests, although these guests will be relaxed. Sitting people who don’t know each other may be daunting for those concerned & again may not do much for the atmosphere. The best advice is to mix the tables up so that there is a combination of new & old friends. Consider your guests ages & interests also & try to seat like for like together, they are more likely to get on & have fun that way.
2. Singles can be a dilemma, especially if a large number of your guests are couples. It can be tempting to try a little matchmaking but this could back fire, making both parties & you uncomfortable & embarrassed. Avoid a singles table & try to place them on tables with other likeminded guests whom you think they will get along with.
3. Etiquette rules apply depending on the shape of the tables you are using. For round tables sit male & female guests alternately. If you are using long tables sit couples opposite one another & alternate male/female along the table.
4. Reserve the tables closest to yourselves for close friends & family.
5. Make sure each table has a name or number to identify it. You could theme them according to things relevant to you both, for instance name after your favorite places you have visited together, or your favorite films. Your venue may make these cards for you, but make sure they are shown on your seating plan.
6. If you want to assign a specific seat to each guest then you will need to write out name cards which you can then place at each setting. Aside from the traditional name card, you can use menus or wedding favors for the same purpose.
Creating your Seating Plan
Start putting together your seating early in your wedding planning. You can start even before you have had back all of your RSVP’s as you will know already who is definitely coming.
When you start ask your venue for a plan of how the tables will be arranged on the day & decide on which shape of table you will use. You will also need to know how many guests you can seat at each one.
Putting together your plan can take some time & may involve many revisions to get it right. A good tip is to write each guests name down on separate pieces of paper & do the same for each table. You can then arrange the tables out & assign guests to each one. Experiment by moving them around until you find the right layout for you. In recent years there have been numerous software programs developed to help with organizing your seating plan which can save you time & a great deal of stress as well!
CARVALHO
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Abhishek Agarwal asked:
Wedding planning as a profession is catching on in a big way. It is a very lucrative career and is attracting a lot of young talent who are willing to work very hard in order to add their touch of speciality to a couple’s most memorable lifetime event. If you want to try your hand at it, there is no dearth of information on how to go about it. According to veterans in the profession of wedding planning, a wedding planner with loads of enthusiasm and the right public relations skill just cannot fail to make a success of it.
The following might enumerate a few crucial skills.
You need to enjoy interacting with people
You need to be enthusiastic in planning of big parties
You need to be good at negotiations of ideas
and more importantly, of prices
You need to have the ability to successfully mediate
in disagreements regarding details
You need to have an eye for small details and all round activities and
You need to keep keep your cool at all times.
You will also be required to know the traditional customs and requirements of different religions as religion is the very basis of a wedding ritual. You must continually upgrade your information of the industry via the magazines dedicated to bridal and planning of parties and by networking among the leading members of the community. Your efforts must revolve around not only on following the traditional ways of the society but also add some novel aspect so that the bride and her family will be happy that their wedding will be unique and the best so far.
To this end, be prepared to work irregular hours. Bridal consultants and wedding planners are often known to work 12-14 hours at a stretch. Most productive days are weekends and evenings compensated by relaxation during the week. All this seems worthwhile when you remember that your profit is approximately 10 percent of the wedding cost.
When you look around, you find that most wedding planners have found an entry into the industry through bridal attire or interior decoration, or floral desiging, etc. You can also study in this field. No doubt, you will be advised by experts to do a little bit of market research to see who else is offering such expertise in the area and explore whether you can build such a business over time. You can get guidance from the Association of Bridal Consultants which is the official nationwide organization of the industry of wedding planning. Such organizations can provide a lot of information on your chosen career in this field.
BELLO
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Jennifer Walter asked:
Getting married then your would be thinking constantly about ordering a cake, searching for a loving engagement ring, smart formal dress and so on. The last thing to strike you would certainly be – insurance.
Well how important is insurance? Very important I’d say. Insurances can be of different types and as per your needs insurance firms can design it too. Let’s see a few of them and find out if you like any of these or not.
Firstly let me speak of event insurance. Even when the ceremony takes place inside a reception hall or similar facility you could use a special event insurance cover. Here in they off load some liability towards you. Your normal home insurance policy shall not be in effect here. If the place you are hosting the ceremony requires you to have a policy then you will have to arrange one. And incase they do not ask for one then it’s still recommended that you take one.
This will specially server you well when you are hosting a large function and serving alcohol there. Insurance will cover your reception place, the dinner party as well as wedding ceremony hall if all are differently located. And incase the party is being held at a private house then check with the owner if the insurance policy is not expired and then if additional insurance to be required as precaution.
Now let’s read about cancellation insurance that comes under wedding planning insurance too. This insurance is to protect you against any unforeseen circumstances that might require you to cancel the wedding itself.
Unfortunately if you have to cancel the wedding you would be protected from the cancellation money that would be charged from you by the vendors to whom you committed business or some expenses are left outstanding. Almost all vendors have such similar policies to collect refund with in a time frame but thereafter once the wedding date gets nearer it is hard to them collect full refunds. Such insurance can be an expensive proposition but its well worth the price when the need arises.
Some of the other insurances are where vendors are insured. Here in the vendor is required to take an insurance policy for which obviously you will pay and then if he doesn’t the work done as per contract or anything them you stand to gain. Also vendors who are regulars at wedding ceremonies take insurance cover for their profession.
When you opt for a wedding planning insurance read the policy details carefully and have all quires resolved or replied before you pay for it. Such insurances can be subscribed from Bridal Association of America, or then ask the insurance agent come over and explain it to you.
A wedding planner guide for free can be obtained from The Bridal Association of America. If you posses any sort of home, auto or renters insurance already then consult with them then only look elsewhere.
I can understand that wedding planning insurance would certainly not be foremost on your list of things to do. But this way you can ensure the limited liability for your family and the guests too. Any policy that helps remove stress during your wedding planning period ensure happiness for one and all.
MORTENSEN
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Brian Carter asked:
Preparing for your wedding can be a joyous occasion and possibly the most stressful event to plan in the world! After all, you want it to go off without a hitch, personalize it to reflect your taste and personality, and make it an event that will be remembered for years to come. This is where a wedding planning checklist comes in handy.
If you do not have a wedding planning checklist, now’s the time to create one. It’s easy really and it will help keep you organized and scheduled. You will be able to keep track of your comings and goings, as related to the wedding, and be able to check off each item on the list as it gets finished.
A wedding checklist is what most brides follow to keep them on a working schedule that’s sensible, flexible and organized. There are many ways to create such a checklist and your checklist will be individualized just for you. For some the list will be quite extensive, and for others, it won’t. Depending on how much you’ve already done, your list will vary from the next bride.
Below is a sample wedding planning checklist. You can personalize it to fit your own life and wedding and plans. This is just something to give you an idea of what you might want to create for yourself.
Wedding planning checklist
Bridesmaids and grooms – Have you selected them yet? Wedding party – Do you have a singer lined up? What about an organist, pianist, ring bearer, flower girl, and any special readings during the service? Gowns/Tuxes – Have you picked out a wedding dress? What about bridesmaids’ dresses and tuxes? Photographer – Do you want photos taken before or after the wedding? Church or other facility – Have you reserved a place for the wedding to take place? What about the reception? Newspaper announcements – Photos and info should be sent to your local paper Rehearsal dinner – Who’s coming and where are you having it? Gifts for those in the wedding party – Do you want to buy tokens of appreciation? Wedding cake, punch, and other refreshments – Do you have a caterer? Who’s making the wedding cake? What sorts of refreshments do you want to serve? Decorations for the church and reception – Are you ordering flowers, decorations, ribbons, and etc? Who will help put decorations up? Equipment rental – Do you need to rent tables, chairs, microphones or any other type of equipment for the wedding or reception? Rings – Have you purchased the rings?
The wedding planning checklist is a great way to keep yourself on track. The above list is very general. It’s a good idea to assign tasks to your maid of honor, your mom and even your husband to be. Put everyone to work who is willing. After all, you don’t need to do it all yourself.
To make your wedding planning checklist complete, it’s good to also put a date next to the item that needs to be taken care of. In this way, you keep to a tight schedule and can feel confident that everything is coming along as planned.
ROUNTREE
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