LAST week’s article was about the tips that can be taken when choosing the bridesmaids attire. The bridesmaids attire should be free flowing, comfortable and worth wearing.
The dresses are more appropriate and comfortable than a top and skirt because of the different body shapes that the bridesmaid have, also the steps that are portrayed at the reception venue and the reason is that some tops are too small such that they make one uncomfortable when dancing as they keep on pulling it down, that is not what the invited guests want to see.
In this week’s article we will look at how much time you really need to plan a wedding?
Some brides and grooms have planned their wedding for 24 months, 16 months, 12 months or even 6 months.
The most important thing is to understand what planning is and why it is important to plan. Planning is a conscious, systematic process during which decisions are made about goals and activities that an individual will purse in the future.
Planning is also the determination of anything in advance of action. It is essentially a decision making process which provides a basis for effective action in the future.
The good thing about planning is that it provides the individual with a map to follow in their future activities.
Remember that planning is not an informal or haphazard group of decisions made in response to a crisis rather it is a purposeful effort.
At some point every person will plan some type of event. This event can be small like a birthday party or large like a wedding, but no matter its size every event including a wedding will require planning in order for it to be memorable and successful.
To plan means to set goals or objectives for yourself. It is folly to embark on any project without a plan.
Abraham Lincoln put it well when he said, “If l had four hours to cut a tree, l will spend three hours on sharpening the axe.”
Below are some of the key ingredients that can help you with the planning of a memorable wedding.
The first thing is that you should take your time. Taking one year to plan your wedding is a good thing as it will really help to keep stress levels down and you get tons of stuff done early.
Make a countdown calendar as this will help you to stay on track and have enough time to save for the things you really want.
Every bride and groom has goals which they want to reach. Goals are not hopes or dreams, everyone has those.
Goals are about having a procedure to follow and it is also about knowing where you are going and what you must do to get there, this is why you have to commit all your plans to paper.
This gives your goal substance and clarity but it also gives you something to focus on and serves as a constant reminder to keep you on track.
Write down all that you want to see on your wedding day and envision, so that it comes to life.
Even the Bible in the book of Habakkuk 2:1-5 encourages us to write down the vision.
No one knows your vision better than yourself so trust your own style and taste. This is your special day with your husband or wife so make sure to enjoy it and soak up every moment.
This will be one of the best days of your life, l promise you, so let your creativity flow.
Begin to write down all of your ideas that come to mind, allow yourself the opportunity to see the best possible outcome for the wedding day.
After you have written down all of your ideas, go through your list again and again, then select the best ideas. Write each idea that you have selected begin to formulate a plan to see that each idea has life and then make it happen.
You only get to plan your wedding once, so make sure it is a fun time, not a stressful one! As you are planning your wedding, you have to be present each moment of your planning and also on your wedding day.
You just have to soak up all your love, joy and bliss and just enjoy every moment.
Having a first look is one of the best decisions you should make during your wedding planning process.
Search for wedding planning basics ask a wedding planner or wedding consultant, ask also the photographer the best places for photo shots.
In Zambia, many married couples like to take their still photos on the roundabout; the roundabout is not the only place for photos, it is too open and the bridal party is usually distracted by the traffic. The bridal party is usually drawn into greeting the people they know who are passing by, as a result much time is wasted.
Find a secluded area. Early planning helps you to take a deep breath.
Let the moment sink in, feel all the emotion you are about to feel all day long.
Always have faith that all of your efforts will be worth it in the midst of planning the long daily to do list and stress will make you feel as if the wedding day would never come, but the reality is that it will eventually come.
Now faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1)
Planning early will help you enjoy every moment from the time/ moment you wake up to the moment you walk out of the wedding venue as a married couple, oh how nice it is to be called Mr. and Mrs.
Remember why you are getting married and try to truly make it be an event for the both of you.
You should have faith in your wedding planner, reception venue, photographer, caterer, and baker and trust that they will do their job well! And once it’s happening just go with it.
That is why it is very important to choose wisely those that will render a service on the wedding day. Try not to stress, even when it seems impossible.
Be a team throughout the entire wedding planning process, as the bride and groom, no matter how well, intentioned, friends and family will undoubtedly lend advice, opinions and even objections to your decisions. It’s easy for you two to become divided.
But in the end this is a celebration of your love and future together, and so every choice should be yours alone.
Keep your focus on what matters most, forget what you think you should or shouldn’t do and go with your heart. It will be the most memorable day of your life.
Put into consideration a guest count. There are only certain venues that can house very large wedding and they often book-up for in advance.
If you absolutely positively have to be married on a certain venue, then you better start early, especially if the venue is popular and you intend to be married on a Saturday and of course season is a factor.
Plan in advance and early the date and time of the year. If you choose to have a wedding on Valentine’s Day, Christmas day or New years the venues will be booked month or years in advance.
That is why early planning is advisable, short notice is just not compatible with booking on holidays.
Another thing that is very important in determining a timeline is the formality of the event, in this case it is a wedding, ultra-formal events require more planning, period. They take more time and preparation as well as more than power.
The most formal wedding can take much longer than the average semi-formal wedding. Some brides and grooms have been known to start planning more than two years out from the wedding date! This is great, you can also do so.
Proper planning will also make the invited guests walk away saying, that was so much fun, it was well planned and you should accomplish that.
Choose the few things that are really important to you, like the photos, cake so be flexible on the other details and always remember to have fun.
Accept that you cannot please everyone, you cannot make everyone happy and trying to accommodate others will just make the whole process more daunting.
This is your time make it memorable, it really is the only day that you will get that chance.
A wedding is about the love you show and the vows you say. Everything else is a bonus. Remember it is your wedding and the celebration is in your honor, but a wedding is also an opportunity to thank all the important people in your life who love and support you. It is to celebrate love and it is meant to be fun, so enjoy it.
My advice to brides and grooms in relation to the above mentioned is that it should take one year on average to plan a memorable wedding, take one step at a time the longer time frame means that you are under less pressure and could have fun planning.
Always plan ahead don’t procrastinate, don’t sweat the little things only do things that you can afford, try not to do anything wedding related two weeks before the wedding enjoy your wedding day and don’t forget to have a couple private moments just as husband and wife throughout your wedding day. You are married remember!
Planning a wedding is no simple task but worth it at the end, but how long did it really take you to plan your wedding?
Share your experience with me.
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