how to plan a wedding – Page 3

I dare say, “the perfect wedding is not a myth”. It can happen anytime, anywhere.
But where do you get the perfect set of suppliers? How do you ensure perfect weather?
My response?

Before you can have the perfect set of suppliers or ensure perfect weather, you will need first and foremost, the perfect couple.

How do you become the perfect couple?

Let’s take it from those who have already achieved that status.

a) They are the ones who researched for suppliers before booking. They joined a reputable online community like Weddings at Work to get feedback from fellow couples before making decisions on whom to book.

b) They are at peace with their choices because they know they chose according to how the suppliers match their needs and their personalities — not just the price or the freebies.

c) They dutifully did their part as a couple by filling out templates, being fully present during meetings, and properly labelling all turnovers. They also did RSVP call outs and text blasts (either on their own or through their coordinator) and they worked on their guest list with much focus, despite it being one of the most difficult tasks of a couple prior to marriage.

d) That way… on the day… they can let go and let God. They can smile with immense joy because they know they are in good hands. They can let little things pass without betraying frustration or disappointment on their faces. They are mature enough to know that things can only be as perfect as they want them to be.

e) They can’t control guest attendance, traffic, weather, and even the beauty of the batch of flowers that would be delivered on their day, but they can control their reaction to irritants. They can be contented with what they have and still choose to have fun.

Let’s think of “what if” scenarios.

So it rained, right before your bridal march. Are you going to cry or shrug it off? Wouldn’t it be better to show the guests what a trooper you are and how ready you are for the real world as a wife?

So not all your guests arrived despite having confirmed? Will you start mentally computing how much of your money went to waste right after you entered the hall? Or will you smile, enjoy your guests’ applause, and dance to your heart’s delight with your groom without thinking of the empty seats?

While decline in guest attendance costs money, it will be cost you more if you don’t smile or you betray too much annoyance on your face. Why? Because by frowning all the time, you will end up wasting the otherwise great photos and video clips your teams could have captured on your day.

So your suppliers are late because of an accident on the road that caused a major traffic jam…Will pouting and throwing a tantrum make things move faster? You can always shrug it off and smile. Let your suppliers weave their magic despite limited time. (And i will tell you that if you got reputable ones, they will be able to weave their magic more when you show them how confident you are in their abilities despite the unexpected hitch.)
Bottomline: Choose the members of your team wisely then trust them to fulfil your expectations. Your contentment with what they can deliver and your inner peace that everything will work out for the good can do wonders.

Smile, enjoy, and let your guests see what a perfect wedding you have. Nothing and no one can literally or figuratively rain on your parade if you have that inner joy that only real love and real trust can exude.

Photo courtesy of Manny & April Photography.

Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started The Wedding Tip Sheet, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points of planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Editor’s Note: This is former Wedding Coordinator extraordinaire, Darlene Tan-Salazar’s very first entry for WaW Wedding Tip Sheet. The Wedding Tip Sheet are practical tips on how to plan, coordinate and organize your wedding efficiently. [/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Did you just get engaged?

After the initial high of the proposal comes the daunting task of planning for the wedding and your life together as husband and wife.

How does one start planning for a wedding?

Below are some suggested steps:

A.Inform your parents of your plan to get married before all other details.

Avoid planning in secret. Have them say their two cents at the beginning. That’s easier than having to deal with changes when you’ve already prepared and booked a lot of suppliers.

Important Note: Join the Weddings at Work community so you can get feedback from real couples regarding your plans and prospective suppliers.

B. Decide on what kind of wedding you want to have — intimate, mid-size, or big; within the metro or out of town; formal or laidback.

Scout for suppliers to have a general idea regarding how much they cost, then plan, and make a realistic budget before even booking anybody.

You don’t need to ask each supplier for a rate sheet, that would be too time consuming on your part.
Check out their websites first and/or ask fellow brides/grooms regarding feedback and fees.

C. Decide on your ceremony venue.

The ceremony reservation gives you a final date and an anchor for reserving your reception venue.

It also gives you a chance to send inquiries to suppliers because you have a final date and a ceremony venue. Yes, you need to include those details — including the reception venue — when you inquire so suppliers can determine availability and give you correct out of town rates, if applicable.

Before booking your ceremony venue, ask about restrictions. That way, you won’t be surprised about additional fees and things you can’t do.

In other words, before parting with your hard earned money, do your research. You won’t be able to get a refund once you’ve given your downpayment to reserve the slot.

D. After you’ve booked your ceremony venue, you can go on a hunt for your reception venue.

Consider proximity to your ceremony area, parking, and your chance to have control over choosing your suppliers. Some reception venues have supplier restrictions and accreditation requirements.

E. Now that you have your venues, you can short list 3-5 suppliers per category, then locate the ones who best match your budget, taste, and personality.

“No commitment meetings” need not be done personally. One can also opt for online meetings to gauge how prospective suppliers deal with possible clients.

Focus first on those who can’t do more than one wedding a day.

Remember to research before booking, but take isolated negative feedback with a grain of salt.

Important note: A lot of well meaning friends and relatives will be as excited and will volunteer their services or the services of friends. Remember that more often than not, it’s still better to book your own suppliers and avoid relying on friendship or blood ties. Things can get problematic and you don’t want to feel awkward dealing with these friends and relatives in other parties or gatherings after your wedding.

I think I’ve said a mouthful already and I may have caused you to feel overwhelmed. (I hope not…)

Tip: Simplify. Do things step by step to avoid feeling like you’re drowning in details. Start with the ones you really need then add the fancy details later.

And when you’re feeling too daunted, you can always rely on the sharing and words of wisdom of your w@w brothers and sisters, as well as the responses and recommendations of the suppliers you’ve booked.

Read more of Darlene Tan-Salazar’s Wedding Tip Sheet articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-wedding-tip-sheet/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″][/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″]About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015): Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points of planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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