In association with the Galway Advertiser's classified website, www.classified.advertiser.ie we give some top tips for planning your big day
So your other half has got down on one knee and made you the happiest woman in the world. But now it is time for the real excitement to start - the wedding planning. All couples want their big day to be special but it is without doubt an event that takes lots of planning. Here are some of our top tips on how to mark what should be one of the most enjoyable and memorable days of your life.
+ Firstly, take your time. You only get to plan your wedding once, so make sure it is a fun time, not a stressful one.
+Decide what kind of celebration you want. Do not feel pressurised to 'follow the crowd' or please your parents. You should be allowed celebrate your wedding in the way you choose, be that by going the traditional church route, having a civil ceremony, via a reception at your favourite hotel, or on a beach in a far flung destination.
+ Decide on a budget. How much can you afford to spend? This will have a bearing on many others factors in relation to your big day so it is important to nail a figure down early on, and try and stick as close to it as possible.
+ Who do you want to invite? One of the biggest factors in the budget is the number of guests at a wedding. Wedding guestlists are a minefield - but you must ask the question; who do you really want to celebrate your big day with?
+ Fail to prepare, prepare to fail is an adage that can be applied to wedding planning. The day will unlikely turn out the way you envisioned unless you put in the legwork.
+ For the majority of women, it will always be all about the dress. No disrespect to the groom, but nobody will remember what kind of tuxedo or suit he wore, all eyes will be fixed firmly on the bride. Think long and hard about the styles that suit you, and start your search early to ensure you source the perfect gown that will make you feel a million dollars.
+ Make wedding appointments fun - make the most of food tastings, venue tours, cake tasting etc. Use these days as an excuse for a day out with your other half, your mum, or as a get-together with the girls. Go to a wedding fair. You may have no interest in what is on offer, but enjoy the athmosphere and sample the free cake!
+ Choose trusted people to do your hair and make-up. Use a stylist and make-up artist that you have visited before, or listen to recommendations from friends, and always go for a trial run. There is nothing worse then a hair or make-up disaster which has the potential to ruin your special day.
We have looked at three important areas of the day where couples tend to secure the services of professionals. It is important that these people are the right choices for you and your wedding before handing over hard earned cash.
Flowers
Decide on your budget for flowers and stick to it. Some couples decide to forego flowers altogether in an effort to save money, deciding they are not a necessity spend. Some decide a small spend on supermarket flowers is enough to add a little colour to the occasion, but for others, flowers are a very important aspect of the day and they feel a professional florist is essential. If deciding to work with a florist, choose the right one who you know will give you what you want and how you want it. Your florist needs to be able to understand you and listen to you requests. Once you find a florist you can work with, and one who will provide you with style, artistry and professionalism, you should book them with a small deposit to secure your date. At that point, there is no harm in leaving it until 4-8 weeks before your wedding to finalise the details of what it is exactly you want and need as you will have an exact idea of your colour scheme at that stage.
Music
Music can end up being a huge part of the wedding day between church music, and a band and DJ at the reception. Church singers and bands must be booked well in advance. It is worth listening to reccomendations from friends, as well as possibly attending some functions to hear various bands in action. Songs for the church entrance and exit, as well as the first dance will need to
Capturing the big day
Wedding photographs last a lifetime so it's essential to choose the perfect wedding photographer to suit your style and budget. You’ll be seeing a good bit of your photographer on the wedding day so you want someone who will complement the atmosphere. You also want someone who you feel will get along with and should be able to make you laugh along the way as well. If you get a feeling that the photographer is all about themselves or will be overbearing on the day, it may be a good idea to keep looking. The personality of the photographer will have a impact on how at ease you & your guests feel. We’ve all heard stories about photographers angrily ordering guests to get out of their shots. Make sure you don’t get one of those. A good wedding photographer has an arsenal of techniques to get the best out of people in a situation where they are naturally uneasy or insecure. This in turn has a positive effect on the naturalness & quality of the photos.
For a range of wedding services, including photographers, candy cart hire, and limosines, check out www.classified.advertiser.ie/weddings
