WEDDING PLANNING TOP TIPS
3 MONTHS TO GO
BUY MARRIAGE LICENCE
Your marriage licence is specific to where you get married, so do your research well in advance, especially if marrying abroad. Some countries have a residency requirement and some may demand onerous documentation, such as birth certificates, evidence of termination of previous marriages etc. Licence filing rules and timing will differ from country to country. Do this well in advance!! By the way, this is the groom's responsibility!
SEND WEDDING INVITATIONS
Miniature silk or paper boxes are in with contents to match your theme. The bigger the box and more exotic the material the bigger the bill. Absolute musts on the invite are the full names of the bride and groom, the host and a “request” line – you may want to omit the archaic Mr and Mrs in front of every name. Be sensitive in how you present divorced or widowed hosting parents and partners. Send out early but don’t send to print until you have purchase your website address.
FIND GUEST ACCOM-MODATION
Look for locations near your wedding reception especially if your guests have kids. Enquire about group rates early and ensure selected locations have space not only on your wedding day, but a few days before and after the wedding date as well. Recommend locations with varying price tags and consider block booking in advance if you can gauge the take-up. Leave small gifts, such as fruit baskets, in booked hotel rooms to surprise travel-weary guests on arrival.
AGREE WEDDING CEREMONY
Music is key- A light, pensive prelude gives way to a charged processional piece. The ceremony is punctuated by symbolic interludes and ends with a triumphant recessional score. A celebratory postlude masks the noise of shuffling feet exiting the venue. Vows should be personally selected and practiced. Be sure you feel comfortable with your legal officiant, that he is willing to invest time in rehearsals and that he has done this before! Symbolic gestures can be added to proceedings.
WEDDING DRESS FITTING
Try your dress with the essential wedding accessories you will be using e.g. shoes, veil, petticoat or slip. Some stores only allow shoes for the initial measurement. A bridal gown store is no place for kids so arrange a baby sitter if you or your 'helpers' have kids. Wear little or no makeup for the fitting to avoid marking the dress and ensure you are freshly bathed. Avoid tanning lotion, body creams, perfumes and hair spray AND all food stays outside the store.
WEDDING PARTY FITTING
The advice offered on the wedding dress fitting applies equally here. Be sure to book fittings for your attendants which suit them and each attendant can attend a fitting individually. Page boys should also attend a fitting to ensure correct size and length. Recently announced expecting attendants may need to choose a different cut at this stage or opt out of bridesmaids duties in favor of other duties at the ceremony. The groom and his attendants should equally attend a fitting at this stage.
ORDER WEDDING RINGS
Tradition holds that the man buys the wedding ring for his bride and the bride for her groom, although it is advisable to shop for wedding rings together. Do NOT leave this to the last minute, especially if you wish to have the rings engraved with your wedding date or other message. Rings may be embellished with gemstones for beauty or for personal symbolism or both. The practicalities of design, size and fit should be considered in the context of the couple's work or sporting activities.
ORDER WEDDING FAVORS
If the reception is to be held in a hot climate avoid wedding favors that can melt, like chocolates. Wedding favors can be costly but a bit of personal creativity goes a long way in helping to reduce this cost without sacrificing quality and elegance. Remember that wedding favors are for the guys and gals and not just the gals - your favors may be gender specific or gender neutral e.g. sweets, home made biscuits etc
We hope these have been useful! More to come soon.
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