Planning for your wedding or have some words of wisdom to share?  Please give us your intake!

So, if you’ve already decided which season of the year you’d like to have your wedding day and you’ve got lots of family and friends that are flying in to attend your wedding, you should consider having the big day on a non-statutory holiday (because it could save you big bucks).

More often than enough, hotels tend to be fully booked on a weekend that begins or runs on the same week as a statutory holiday (i.e., July 4th weekend). Not only do hotels tend to be more expensive on holidays, there tends to be no reduced rates or special weekend packages. So, having the reception on a non-statutory holiday could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars (if you intend to pay for your family’s hotel stay for the duration of your wedding weekend). It could even save your guests money and help them avoid the frustration of finding accommodation. For me, I’d tend to make my decision to attend or not attend a wedding partly based on cost (except if it’s a family wedding).

Obviously, if it’s a non-statutory holiday, your guests would have to take a day or two off work, but that can be easily remedied by giving them early notice.

Most future brides look at wedding magazines to plan for their wedding day.  Some even look at OK! Magazine or In-Style Magazine to see celebrity weddings such as Eva Longoria/ Tony Parker or Katie Holmes/ Tom Cruise.  Others use ideas from weddings they have attended or go to wedding shows (which tend to give out overwhelming materials and by the end of the show, you forget which photographer or cake decorator you should have remembered).

Well, a popular trend these days for brides to get ideas and plan for their wedding day is to attend “Wedding Tours.”  The tour starts by taking brides and grooms (or their mothers/ friends) in limousines to a wedding venue overlooking a nice scenery (such as the Pacific ocean or a golf course).  They then sample several vendors from the wedding industry, such as tasting certain appetizers or full meals with wedding cake, listening to music, talking to photographers and videographers, seeing floral arrangements, or watching a makeup demonstration.

Given that the “W-Day” will be an event of a lifetime and an event that could put a big dent to a couple’s bank account, wedding tours could be a great way to “taste-test” the waters so you have a sense of the costs (since you have more time to discuss with the vendors).  It could also give you ideas for a theme that you want for the W-Day without being overbombarded with materials which you’d never end up using.  Lastly, it’ll give you a chance to get your fiancé involved in the planning process!

So, he proposed to you and you accepted. What’s next? You must be aware that most men, after they have proposed, take a laid back position and expect the woman to go ahead with the planning.

Now that you have been given “control” over the “W” Day, what should you be thinking next? Well, most women actually don’t start thinking about their wedding the day after they’ve been proposed. If you’re like me, and I like to think that I am not that different from other brides-to-be, I started dreaming about my wedding day long ago (hmm… walking down the aisle with my handsome prince). Well, now that the time has arrived, you are ready to make those dreams come true!

So, what should you consider? Put things in perspective. Here’s how:

• Make a list of what you would like for your wedding (don’t restrain yourself, go all the way).

• If you have attended weddings before, think of what you liked and what you didn’t like.

• Think of what people around you expect for your wedding. Specifically, think of what your fiancé, your parents, and your in-laws would like to see.

Once you have thought about the above, figure a way to make everyone happy. Make sure not to forget yourself along the way though.

Oops, one last thing, there’s also the money issue. As you can see, this is where reality hits! After reading this, you must realize that you need some help. I, therefore, strongly suggest that you come back for more advice. Until then, keep dreaming!

P.S. For those who are already married, feel free to join in the chatter.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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