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Smart Brides - Plan it like This
Before you do the saat pheras or say "I do", you have got to ensure that you get your perfect wedding. So it's only fair that you'll plan every single detail with precision and care. Let us see how you can be meticulous and smart, and bring your dream wedding to life.
Weddings are fun, exciting yet stressful affairs, mainly because there are so many elaborate functions that precede the actual event. As the Bride to be, you ll realize that planning your wedding to perfection can be a daunting task. So we have compiled concise checklists that tell you everything you need to get done, to avoid any last minute glitches and ensure a smooth, hassle free wedding.
STEP 1: THE DATE
To finalize the wedding date, you and your family might have to sit with your priest to decide on the most auspicious date and time. However there are also other factors to keep in mind.
The Checklist:
When you decide on a date, keep in mind factors like the season, the availability of your choice of venue and whether the day is suitable for your closest family and friends.
Ensure that it does not clash with any other important family events.
Finalize the date so that you have enough time to plan, prepare and even present yourself as glowing, blushing and proud bride.
This is the most important part of the planning. After you and your partner or even your families discuss about splitting the expenses and agree on these, you officially begin planning for the big day.
The Checklist:
Break down your total budget into categories like the ensemble, jewellery, flowers, caterers, invitations etc. Check with friends and relatives or do some research yourself and write down all that you need within each category and the approximate costs. This will help you keep check of whether you are well within your budget or if you are going over.
Maintain a budget file to keep track of all your expenses. Keep a daily record of the shopping, the vendors and the advances you've paid. Also remember the golden rule of every wise spender: save all receipts!!
Deciding the tone, theme, and size of the wedding will also help you get an idea of what the estimates of all your expenditures will be.
STEP 3: THE GUEST LIST
Next, it's time to get your address book and Facebook listing out and decide who you would like to be present on your wedding day.
The Checklist:
Draw up a tentative wedding guest list with your partner. if needed or if it's a more convenient option, you can make guest lists for each function, like the sangeet, mehendi, the wedding day and the reception.
The number of invitees will also help you decide on the apt venue and caterers.
Alternately, you can choose to book your venues for the various functions first, and then decide how many guests can be accomodated for each function.
Accommodation For Out Station Guests:
Check how many of your guests require a place to stay
Ask the groom's parents for a list of their guests likely to require accomodation.
Based on this, make bulk bookings in your preferred hotel. Don't hesitate to ask for good deals and discounts.
If using vacant houses, ensure you have the services of a cook and cleaner. Hire basic furniture, crockery, mattresses,bed linen, fans etc and ensure water and electricity supply.
STEP 4: THE VENUE
Selecting the perfect place will depend on a variety of factors like the theme (if you want to choose one), the total number of guests, the various ceremonies, the catering style and indoor and outdoor arrangements.
The Checklist:
Draw a list of the most suitable venues. You will have to spend at least one to two days visiting each venue, make sure you ask the manager the availability and costs- this will help you whittle down your list further.
Check the seating capacity, parking space, decoration and catering charges at each place. Some venues allow you to arrange for your own decorator. Others have their own list of service providers you can choose from.
Once you have decided on the venue, get references and interview service providers like decorators, photographers, florists, videographers, Dj's etc. Get quotes from more than one service provider in each category for best deals.
You can hire an event manager to help you out. But make sure you chose someone who has reliable background and experience and most importantly, who understands your needs.
Ensure you have all your bookings confirmed in writing. At a height of the wedding season, all it takes is one unconfirmed booking to ruin your dream of perfect wedding.
STEP 5: THE CATERERS
A wedding isn't complete without good food! Your choice of caterers may be influenced by your choice of venue. While most hotels offer their own catering services, private banquet halls may allow you to get your own catarer or let you choose from their list of catering services.
The Checklist:
Some caterers invite you to taste the food they offer before you finalize a menu. Don't hesitate to ask them for a tasting session.
Assign a family member or a trusted friend to supervise the catering services on the day of the wedding. This person should be in charge of checking the food and sampling the food menu a week before the wedding.
Always check how hygienic they are and their quality of service. if possible, do a background check or get recommendations from family and friends.
If you are serving alcohol, ensure that the caterers have the correct liscensing and also appropriate glassware and their bar services.
STEP 6: THE FLOWERS
This part should never be taken for granted. All you need is a reliable florist who has great vision and is the epitome of punctuality to make the wedding you desire truly come to life.
The Checklist:
Get a florist who guarantees you fresh blossoms on time.
Make a complete list of where you would require flowers, for instance for dias, mandap, bridal car, for your hair perhaps, the garlands etc. Write down the approximate amount for each.
For decorating the venue, discuss what you have in your mind with your florist. Also make sure that he visits the venue to get an idea of the work at hand and the numbers and varieties required.
Have a family member or trusted friend in charge of the decorations to ensure that they are done on time.
STEP 7: THE PHOTOGRAPHY
Pictures and videos are precious mementos of this once in a lifetime experience. So it's only natural that you get the best professionals available.
The Checklist:
It's best to go by recommendations. You can also do your own research, but ensure that whoever you approach, you ask for examples of their work, so that you can thoroughly go through them before making a decision.
Some photographers offer great package deals like photography plus videography, and albums at discounted prices, or even extras like photo wedding favors for guests. Do see whether these work for you and whether they suit your budget.
Once you've chosen your man or women for the job, discuss with them the kind of photographs that you want. It's important that you are on the same path when it comes to getting the right kind of photographs and moments of the ceremony captured.
Introduce them to both families too, so that they know on the wedding day that these are the important people that need to be featured in photographs. You can also assign a family member to guide them, so no key members are missed out.
If your wedding will be held at a lace of worship, get required permissions from the staff or the head priest for photography.
Also show them the venue two or three days before the wedding. This will help them to get an idea of where they can set
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