Morning lovelies! How was your weekend? I was thinking about it ...
Have not we all dreamed about our perfect wedding well before we meet our prince charming? Have not we all spent hours fantasizing about our gorgeous wedding Lehenga, sangeet our performance, and our bridal look?
But when it actually comes to planning a wedding, let me tell you it is a lot more than that! I do not mean to scare you, but planning a wedding can be very stressful if one is not organized and premeditated.
I myself made so many mistakes when I planned my wedding in Nainital last year. It’s not like I was a clueless bride. It was only then that I lacked foresight and did not realize that planning a wedding can take such a staggering amount of time, resources and energy.Wedding planning is a process. It needs a little skill and a lot of awareness.
After a few months of my marriage, I decided to work with some amazing wedding planners and help future brides in their wedding planning. That’s how I first met Ruchita.
Ruchita Parelkar now president of Designer Wedding Packages in MWP, not only manages weddings for MWP, but also successfully manages event design and wedding planning for Wedding Planners in Chandigarh . He was one of the best people out there to help you wonderful brides executing your vision dream wedding from beginning to end.
He said, “Having spent several years in the wedding industry, we know that the bride is now a force to reckon with. He knows exactly what he wants and has done his research. He knew how to get of things too. he may however need a bit of expert guidance before he takes up the enormous task of planning her own wedding. “
Here is the ultimate marriage of Ruchita planning guide for the tech savvy, trendy and knowledge brides-to-be.
We hope that this guide will help you to enjoy the process of planning, like making fun of the decisions and choices of beautiful details, without feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Follow this guide, step-by-step, and all your dream wedding plan will run flawlessly!
GUIDE TO THE WEDDING PLANNER WEDDING PLANNING
ONE TO TWO YEARS AHEAD OF YOUR WEDDING
START SAVING
If you are looking to finance your own wedding or your parents are backing it; Make sure you start saving for your wedding at least a year in advance. Decide on a preliminary budget. Get realistic. Keep aside funds. Try buying a few pieces of jewelry.
Get an idea about how much your dream wedding will cost you. If any of your family members or friends recently organized a wedding, talk to them about the wedding expenses.
8 MONTHS TO ONE YEAR TO GO
SET A DATE
In the case of a Hindu wedding, the date is usually based on auspicious time given by Pandit family. It is thought to work on this in public holidays or weekends. Also factor in exams, jobs, religious concerns and the weather so it is convenient for people to attend.
6-8 MONTHS AHEAD OF YOUR OR AS wedding soon!
MAKE THE GUEST LIST
Make a list of the number of visitors is likely to attend your wedding as this will largely decide on the choice of venue, budget and accommodation expenses.
Get the consent of the family of your girlfriend and follow up later with a detailed list of addresses and e-mail ID to send out invitations.
Set your VENUE
First, decide on the city where you want to get married.
Then, look up on the internet for banquets or hotel that suits your requirements in your preferred city. Tripadvisor.com can be a useful resource for couples getting married from afar. Some wedding websites, including ours, which feature the best hotels and banquets in India to get married. Choose from Palace Weddings, Weddings City, or New Destination Weddings Banquets.
Make sure you decide on your venue well before time as venues can get fully booked for the wedding season.
Consider your personal style, seating arrangements, guest list and weather conditions when finalizing for your dream venue. Personally check the seating capacity, rooms, music, parking space, electricity and power back up before making a final decision.
Book venue at least 6 months in advance to avoid disappointment. Confirm all your booking by letter a few months before the wedding from the hotel. Visit the site a few days before the wedding to check the finer details.
Decide ACTIVITIES
This is the super fun part! Decide on how many pre wedding and post wedding functions you want to have and how many days your events go on for.
These days, most couples usually have a Mehendi, Haldi, Engagement, Cocktail Party, Wedding wedding ceremony and reception.
SET A THEME
Setting a theme is of course optional, but it is the best way to bring your unique personality in your wedding. It is easier to make a thematic wedding when you hire a planner, yet you can get enough inspiration to the internet as well. If you are opting for a destination wedding is highly advisable to go for a theme wedding.
From Peacock theme, Crystal theme, floral theme, Colour based themes for the main wedding day Tropical Hawaiian theme soirees and cocktail for the evening; The scope is endless.
If you have a theme in mind, make sure you discuss them with your vendors thoroughly and ensures seamless execution.
Trousseau SHOPPING & jewllery
Once you have finalized your wedding theme as well as a number of functions, carefully scanning the drool worthy website of India’s leading wedding Lehenga Sari and couturists. Choose from bespoke bridal wear designer or scout for cheaper options of designer labels to local bridal shops in your city that flatter your figure and suit your taste.
Jaipur, Kolkata and Delhi is the most famous cities for shopping Lehenga.
Once you have finalized your wedding dresses, you may want to shop for exquisite jewelry to go with it.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Now comes the most exciting and interesting part of the wedding planning; choosing your wedding vendors. Wedding vendors including photographers, caterers, Dance Performers, beauticians, event planner, mehendi artists, Indian Belly Dance, entertainers amongst others. Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Search online for the best wedding vendors. Check their Facebook credentials and their website.Ask for recommendations. Ask for samples and tests. Get quotes from multiple vendors and get the best deal available. Make booking in advance.
Also try getting an agreement / contract, signed on paper with key vendors. Keep a list of selected vendors with their phone numbers.
Our experience tells us not to make bulk payments in cash advance.
Accommodation
Arrange for a comfortable and pleasant stay for your guests traveling from other cities. It is advisable to have your guests stay in the same hotel or as close as possible to your wedding venue. Try to work with a complimentary breakfast at the same cost as the published room tariff as part of a bulk booking wedding package. In fact many hotels also offer all meals included option (API) basis room that could work out to be much cheaper.
Guesthouses can be a cheaper option. Hire crockery, mattresses, bed linen, fans if you’re putting up guests in guesthouses.
Chalk DOWN A FITNESS / BEAUTY REGIME
It is the most awaited day of your life; Make sure you look the part. Write a routine and stick to your fitness and beauty regime.
ONE OR TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE
Schedule an appointment at a beauty parlor or call a makeup artist at your hotel for your mother and sister. Fix for main mehendi artist for your bridal mehendi Mehendi artists as well as for your family to attend mehendi function.
Sample cake designs and flavors and book your exquisite wedding cake. Fine tune your guest list. Buy gifts and wedding favors for your near and dear ones.
A FEW DAYS AT WEDDING
Pre-assign tasks to members of the family as you are too busy with make-up and testing sessions on your wedding day. For example, your brother can look after the floral arrangements; mother can take care of catering services delivered in a timely manner.
Visit a soothing spa if you can, for a total body massage and facial. Relax and rejuvenate.
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
Sit back, relax and make sure you enjoy your wedding day as much as your guests!
Let go of the small details that may not have gone the way you imagined it. It’s okay! It happens to everyone!
One advice though is to start taking your make-up and draping Lehenga do at least 4 hours before the Baraat is expected. Everyone assumes the Baraat was late; however keep in mind that getting a bride ready is time consuming.
Finally, this is your once-in-a-lifetime day to look and feel like a princess … smile, feel happy and ready to pose for the shutterbugs !!!
Happy Planning!