When Fergie Writes...: BE YOUR OWN WEDDING PLANNER

Weddings are one of the most momentous occasions a couple will experience together throughout their lives. Since it is a special day, it is important to choose the right wedding planner and a highly skilled photographer who can create a story from the captured moments you spend with friends and family on your big day. Arranging a wedding can be daunting if you’re doing it yourself. To help you keep on top of your wedding arrangements, here’s a helpful tips:

8 MONTHS OR MORE TO THE WEDDING

Set budget

Figuring out your budget and how much your families will be contributing will give you a picture of what kind of wedding, wedding gown, venue and the size of your guest list you can afford.

Pick a date

If you’re into auspicious dates, bear in mind that you’re not the only one. Lucky dates like November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) are likely to be booked up – so get cracking!

Arrange for your families to meet

Time for your future-in-laws to meet each other, if they haven’t done so already.

Book the solemnization venue

If you are looking into having a religious ceremony, you’ll need to book the date at the relevant place of worship and attend the required preparations.

Start a course of facials

Perfection doesn’t happen overnight. Consult with a certified dermatologist and get your skin problems dealt with.

Decide on the dinner venue
An out-of-the-ordinary dinner venue may mean spending more on items like drinks, décor and favours that are usually included in conventional wedding dinner packages.

Start making up your guest list

The earlier you get it done, the sooner you can inform people of your upcoming nuptials. You don’t have to do it alone –get your parents, your partner, and your future in-laws to come up with their guest lists before you can come up with your final one.

6 MONTHS TO THE WEDDING

Buy/rent or design your wedding gown

Look around for a dress that will suit your taste, style and budget. Don’t be too trendy. What looks good today may look dated ten years down the road.

Buy/rent the groom’s wedding suit

Make sure the groom’s suit matches the bride’s gown

Design/buy invitations

With the whole world wide web of ideas out there, you can make your invitation cards more personalized.

Choose the caterer

You’ll need one if you’re not having the standard banquet package.

Shop around for a videographer and photographer

For a better idea on their capabilities, ask to see snippets of edited work (to see how your special day might turn out on video) and unedited work (to judge the sound quality). You’ll be busy with a thousand things that day – you don’t want to miss a single thing, do you?

Book your bridal party

Pick your best men, your bridesmaids and attendants and inform them of their duties.

Look for wedding bands

Try them on for size and see what suits the both of you best.

4 MONTHS TO THE WEDDING

Register with registry of marriage (ROM)

Log on to the National Registration Department website www.jpn.gov.my to see how to apply for your marriage license and what to bring with you to the ROM. For the muslims, log on to Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor website www.jais.gov.my to see the procedures for the muslim marriage preparation course.

Confirm videographer

Confirm the style of cinematography and editing you’d like for your wedding video.

Book and plan your honeymoon

As soon as you’ve agreed on a destination, you can book your tickets and budget your trip before they’re s sold out.

Book your florist

When you’ve decided on whether you’re going for a classic or a contemporary style of floral bouquet, you can start to work with your chosen florist on the little details.

Measure up the bridal party

Gather your bridal party for a day at the tailor’s.

Book hairstylist and makeup artist

Clip out inspirations from bridal magazines or websites and pick a hairstyle or makeup artist who knows what you want.

Gather guest information

Confirm all your guests contact details to make it easier to address your invitations.

Confirm the menu

Sit down for a food-tasting that usually comes with the dinner package.

2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING

Pick music for the ceremony

If it’s a church wedding, speak to your pries t about the recommended music choice. Compile the music you’d like played during the wedding dinner and hand it to your coordinator.

Order the cake

Decide what you want it to look like and discuss the possibilities with the baker.

Write the speech

Pick who you want to speak at your wedding reception and get the deed done nice and early. Don’t leave it till the last minute.

Choose ceremony readings

If you’re having church readings, hand copies out to your appointed readers that they’ll have time to practice.

Send out invitations

Your guests need adequate notice of the time, date and place of your wedding.

Pick out and liase with your emcee

Work out the evening’s programme with your emcee.

1 MONTH TO THE WEDDING

Discuss details of the ceremony

Time to review and discuss the flow and details of the ceremony. Bring a copy of the programme for easy
reference.

Confirm flowers

Finally, your bridal bouquet, car decorations, venue décor and table arrangements are taking shape.

Hair, Makeup and wedding gown trial-run

Try out the hairstyle and make up your chose concurrently with your final dress fitting, so you’ll get the full picture.

Call guests for RSVP and draw up seating plans

Call up the guests who have yet to confirm their attendance for the ceremony, dinner or both.

Give the music playlist to the band

If you’ve hired a live band, you might want to compile a list of your favourite song requests for the wedding.

Pack for the honeymoon

Get your luggage and hand-carry baggage ready in advance if you’re leaving for the honeymoon right after the wedding. Remember to check fluid regulations for carry-on baggage.

A WEEK TO THE WEDDING

* Schedule a rehearsal with all relevant parties. - Prepare red packets, payments and money gifts for those involved - Start gift-wrapping ‘thank you’ presents

* Collect your marriage papers * Collect the wedding dress – your lovely white dress should be stored, un-crushed and unfolded in its garment bag.

* Finalise guest list and seating plan – now that you have the final head count, give or take a few maybes, notify the restaurant/hotel/caterer of the final number.

A DAY TO THE WEDDING

Lay Out the wedding finery
Give your wedding wardrobe a once over. Cut the loose threads, and iron out the creases.

Have dinner with your parents