Before You Say "i Do"

Every girl dreams of her wedding day. Since we were 5 years old, we play pretend wedding with our friends, wearing a pillowcase over our heads and wrapping ourselves with towels or bed sheets and walking around our room pretending it was our wedding day. Little did we know that the actual thing is way more complex than we have imagined.

So, how do we plan for a wedding? Believe or not, weddings normally take about a year to prepare. But it is usually on the last 6 months that pressure builds up. The best way to make sure that you don't forget anything is to come up with a checklist. Think of the things you need to accomplish and set a timeline to accomplish them. In this way, you avoid procrastinating and doing every thing last minute.

Here are some tips on how you can have a not so stressful wedding preparation. First and foremost, set the date. It is easier to plan for a wedding when you know when it is going to be.

Next comes the theme and what type of wedding you want to have- formal, informal, big or small, and where you want it to take place and reserve the venue immediately. Set a budget and know your priorities and at the same time discuss who will cover each expense.

It is also best to have a shortlist of the suppliers you want to get. Make sure that you research them first and get feedback from friends who might have used before. Select your caterer and discuss possible menu. Hire photographer and videographer as well. Select the type of music you want to be played in your wedding ceremony and reception. If you desire to get a band, start scouting for a good one.

Now comes the guest list. It is better to complete your guest list as early as possible. Send out save-the-date cards to make sure that the important people you want to be present in your wedding will be there. Select your bridal entourage and inform them. Select your officiant as well. In finalizing your seating plan, double check the people you have seated together.

Flowers also take much time to decide- from the venue arrangement to centerpieces to bouquets. I suggest that you discuss with your florist what you have in mind in details plus your theme/motif so they can help you choose the best flowers that will go with your theme. And if you have a favorite flower, ask them how it will fit in with your theme.

Another important part of wedding planning is selecting a designer for your wedding gown as well as the entourage's. If you don't have a particular designer in mind, I encourage you to start researching for designs (on the internet or magazine) as early as possible. Make sure that the design you choose will compliment you. Seek for your friends and family's opinion if necessary.

It is ideal to send out invitation at least a month prior to your wedding date. In that way, you give your guests ample time to RSVP. In the event that they forgot to send in a reply, you can always call them and ask for their confirmation.

After all the planning and meeting with suppliers and making sure that everything is in order, set a day or two to pamper yourself before your big day. Get enough sleep before your big day and try to block out all the unnecessary thoughts from your mind.

Planning a wedding can be taxing - that's why wedding organizers are there to help you plan and organize your wedding. Build a relationship with them and trust them that they will be able to do their job well.