Plan Your Wedding



When marriages are fixed, there is very little time available at hand. And if the bride-to-be is a working woman then she is really pressed for time. Considering the importance of time, the bride-to-be should plan every single detail.

Ideally it would be best you start your homework soon after your engagement. Decide on the type of wedding you want, discuss the size and number of functions with your fiancé and of course both parents.

Venue

It is vital to search for the right venue as soon as possible. Be sure to assess the practicalities of venue - if it is outdoors, will the weather be good, is it spacious enough, is there enough parking space, etc. Indoors , then decide if it's roomy enough. Approximately how many guests will you be having. Will the hall be congested. I have been to weddings where the rooms are so congested that one feels like just getting out of the place as soon as possible.

Hotels are also good enough, if you have a small crowd then hotels are a good bet. There are various ranges. But there are hotels with decent budget too.

Catering

The success of many celebrations rest upon the quality of the food. An ongoing rapport with your caterer is vital for keeping track on the expected head count, the number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests, the time for actual dinner, seating arrangements etc.

Invitation
Invitation cards should be imaginative but elegant. Invitations should be sent out no sooner than 6 weeks in advance and no later than 3 weeks. This way guests will neither forget the wedding date nor have made other plans. Keep track of acceptances and refusals. The card should be adapted for other functions and celebrations like sangeet and reception.

Photographer/ videographer
A professional photographer can capture the most important moments of your wedding. Talk with him and develop an understanding of what kind of pictures you would like. Book your photographer/videographer only after seeing their previous work.

Accommodation
Arrange for accommodation for out of town guests. Ask hotels or guesthouses for group discounts. If you plan everything in advance according to the priorities then last minute tensions could be avoided. Here's how:


AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

  • Decide the size of the wedding and number of functions
  • Allocate responsibilities between both the families.
  • Draw up a guest list.
  • Visit venues to discuss availability
  • Interview caterers, hotels and restaurants and discuss sample menus.
  • Order wedding invitations.
  • Book a professional photographer/ideographic.
  • Choose a florist and a floral theme for the wedding.
  • Audition musicians/ make music arrangements for the sangeet.
  • Start purchasing your trousseau, wedding and reception outfits.
  • Speak to travel agents about honeymoon destinations.
  • Set dates for pre-wedding celebrations.

ONE MONTH TO GO

  • Send out invitations.
  • Invite pandit for the ceremony.
  • Make appointments with hairdresser/beautician/mehendi artist.
  • Finalize your honeymoon plans make sure your passports and vaccinations are up to date.
  • Book wedding cars.
  • Ensure that wedding clothes are collected and ready to wear.


ONE WEEK TO GO

  • Arrange for saris and salwars and other items of your trousseau to be ironed and packed.
  • Make sure you and the groom have the luggage ready for the honeymoon. Pack light/warm clothes according to the climate of your honeymoon destination.
  • If needed order traveller's cheques or foreign currency.
  • Finalize the list of guests and inform the caterers. Confirm the menu.
  • Finalize plans for sangeet.
  • Order mithai and related items.

ONE DAY BEFORE

  • Make sure wedding cars are clean.
  • Pack your honeymoon suitcases, ready for the delivery to the reception. Make sure your fiancé has packed his too.
  • Visit hairdresser/beautician.
  • Make sure the dressing room is isolated -too many people or too many things in your dressing room will create confusion. Lay out the necessary items in an orderly manner.
  • Have an early night.

    And last but not the least on the wedding day make sure that somebody locks the door after everybody leaves for the venue.