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That pivotal day is dawning, that once elusive childhood fantasy is fast becoming an adult reality. Before we indulge in a celebration of champagne popping, a few home truths must be understood. The timing and care poured into a wedding far exceed that taken for a proposal. Irrespective of who is footing the bill for this grandiose or modest event it is important to note that the input of yourself and partner should not be congruent with each other’s financial contribution. You and your partner should be willing to compromise with the foresight to envision an event that is reflective of each other’s needs and wants.
Breakdown the collective parts of the wedding into clear and concise groupings thus the budget will be more manageable, in the allocation of funds to particular components of the big day. Once the different components are broken down then separate them into months using this great tool to assist you. It would be a weight of your shoulders if you or whomever is planning the wedding were to employ the services of a financial planner who can assist you in the recommendation of how to pay for different aspects of your wedding. An all to frequent occurrence is the tendency to overemphasize particular aspects of a wedding at the expense of others. Granted, the wedding venue will take priority over the music but picture the scene of the bride-to-be doing the wedding march to her grandmothers antiquated turn of the century, wind-up gramophone. It is at this juncture that you can get down to the more necessary paraphernalia. You and your partner, at this point should have a date and venue confirmed.
In the electronic age of today it is more cost effective and efficient to send invitation by e-mail. If you remain a traditionalist at heart and seek to add a more personal touch to the beckon of family and friends, the good 'ol postal service will be a more suitable medium. Invitations are traditionally mailed six weeks in advance, however take into account distant guests may not receive their invitation in time, thereby unable to make the relevant arrangements to attend your wedding. If nerves get the better of you, follow the invite up in due time via email. Don’t feel obliged to invite all and sundry to your wedding. The hallmark of a well-executed wedding is not dependent on the presence of all those you’ve had the pleasure to meet in your lifetime. In this regard, play it safe, if you are in any doubt that the person or persons you are contemplating may disrupt your special day it would be wiser to not invite him/her.
In consideration of the location choose your most desired venue be it your home or place of worship but spare a thought for your long distance guests in that the venue should be relatively accessible to all. If you do decide to tie the knot in nowhere’sville, etiquette dictates that you or your partner foot the travel and lodgings bill. Bare in mind that the place in which you get married should be in proximity to a reception or better still, if it could double up as one for convenience sake. Refrain from making enquires to the relative church authorities about the usage of their halloed ground as a make shift disco-techque.
Your hands on approach to the smooth running of all wedding activities may stop at the point of catering. If your guest list exceeds a handful of loved ones, swallow a
generous portion of humble pie and leave the catering to professional caterers. Your affiliation for macaroni and cheese, despite its age old secret recipe, may not be to the liking of all your guests, so in this case, state the food preferences of your invited guests to the catering service for example vegetarian or kosher etc. In this manner you can be assured that all your guests will have their palatable preferences catered for. Remember that the same rules apply to beverages as they do to food.
Drum role please! Enter the wedding gown! That solitary gown that will be inspected, visually dissected by all in attendance. Above all else, be particular and fussy to how precisely you want the dress to look and fit. The dress should encompass all that you are, as well as be a true reflection of your innerself, even if it is at the expense of tradition, don’t compromise. Know what you want and make sure you have it.
The most enduring wedding attire is the traditional white wedding gown which in its general simplicity excudes elegance and timelessness. However, don’t restrict to white. The modern bride has the confidence to be a bit more liberal with her selection of bridal colour. If you are attempting something a tad more adventouress e.g. a medieval wedding gown, tread lightly as there is no middle ground. You may look the picture of a modern day Cinderella but try and eliminate the possibility of looking like the midnight hour pumpkin. In the excitement of finding a bridal gown don’t forget the grooms’ suit. Although, the selection of suits is narrower in range, it is still not void of the occasional fashion faux pas. Who could forget that curios blue suit that was at the height of its popularity in the 1970’s, it is however, best left there. Do not limit yourself to black, although it’s suited to most formal occasions and is consistently debonair. Live a little as it is advised that you avoid a monotone ensemble. The colours you select are entirely at your discretion but it’s wise to remember that winter calls for darker colours as opposed to summer, which is complemented by cooler colours. As was previously stated, account for all elements of the wedding from flowers to confetti. In the above, you have encountered some of the key components of the wedding and one of the last aspects is that of photographer and or videographer. With attention to your photographer in particular, it is advised that you be thorough in the investigation of his/her credentials. All competent photographers should have a portfolio of past wedding pictures so that you may fathom their particular area of expertise. Although the wedding is a momentary affair in relation to married life, the special memmories of that day should not be solely committed to memory hence the importance of a good photographer being employed.
If your budget allows, and it should, the final tier of your wedding preparations is the honeymoon. If you are a lucky bride and your budget allows for it, venture abroad and allow yourself to be enriched by far flung cultures and experiences but bare in mind, South Africa has all the worlds in one and can be nicer to your budget. |
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