Organising a
wedding is a mixture of fun, frustration and
ruthless military planning. There are some
things which, if forgotten, can easily be
rectified. There are others which can cause
endless problems.
Here is a list of small but vital ingredients
for a successful wedding which might just escape
your attention - and cause chaos if they do.
1. Always get a proof (a sample print) of
your
wedding invitations from the stationer or
printer before giving the go-ahead to have them
printed up. Check through the proof very
carefully to ensure there are no printing errors
and that times and venues are correct.
2. Make sure you have more items on your
wedding present
list than you have wedding
guests. It can be awkward if you get the same
present from two or more people. It also allows
for gifts from people who cannot attend.
3. Always keep a constantly updated list of
who's coming to your wedding in case of changes.
Make sure these have several contact numbers for
each person - like home AND work numbers - so
that you can make quick, pain-free
re-arrangements. If you have a computer, try
keeping all the wedding details on file so it
can be quickly updated and printed off.
4. A good map. We've all been to enough
weddings to know that some churches are
impossible to find. A good map with well thought
out and clear instructions is an absolute must
to ensure that everyone arrives on time.
5.
Order Of Service sheets
at church
weddings. These can be easily overlooked and
often become part of the last minute rush. This
is a shame because it can act as a permanent
memento of your day. Make sure you have one for
every guest plus a few extra to hand.
6.
Thank You cards. In the post wedding day
rush, it may escape your mind to send these out.
If you want them done in the same style as your
invitations, they should be ordered at the same
time.
7. Double check details with your
photographer. Once you have gone through the
business of booking a photographer, ensure that
you send them your requirements in writing and
get a confirmation slip from them. Again, make
sure the details are right. Remember: Never make
assumptions about the service provided. Ask,
ask, ask.
8. If you are having a video/DVD made, check
with your minister that the service can be
filmed. Most are agreeable, but some object to
having a video of such an important ceremony.
Don't leave it until the day itself.
9. Ask to see the car you will be going to
the ceremony in. Being told that it is a vintage
Rolls Royce, however impressive that seems, is
not enough. You should check to see how the car
has been maintained, make sure there is enough
room in the back for the bride and her dress and
make sure it is in a colour you like.
10. Ensure that the church, register office
or hotel don't mind handfuls of confetti being
thrown around their entrances. Some might prefer
you to use rice or sugar paper. A simple check
will avoid any bad feeling.
11. Don't forget your luggage. If you are
going straight off on honeymoon then don't
forget to pack your luggage properly. This takes
thought and effort at the best of times, but
when you are also getting married things can be
overlooked. Double check those three essentials:
passport, money, tickets!
12. Make sure that your hotel or restaurant
has a suitable cake stand (if needed) and cake
knife available. If not bring your own. After
all you wouldn't want to be photographed posing
with a steak knife over the cake!
13. Before booking a reception at a hotel or
restaurant, try the food for yourself. A nicely
laid out menu does not guarantee good food and
it's a good excuse for the bride and groom to go
out for a few romantic meals before their big
day.
14. Parking. Almost as important as the
quality of the food at your reception venue is
the availability of parking, especially if the
reception is held a long distance from the
ceremony. Don't forget to check the car parking
facilities before you book and make sure that,
at the time of your reception, the car park
won't be full of cars attending another event.
15. Join our
Confetti Dreams Forums to obtain a lot more
tips / Hints from other people organising their
weddings at http://confettidreams.freeforums.org.
16. And finally, don't forget to enjoy
yourself. If little things go wrong, don't worry
- this is your special day so there should be
plenty of people around to put things right.
Relax, have a good time and enjoy the start to
your married life.
