Wedding planning tips DETAILS

Wedding Planning Tip #1 Decide the date

It is essential to pick a date. Once you've sorted a date, it is easier to proceed with everything else. Besides, for some families that are more traditional and religious, your parents and in-laws might need hoards of time to complicate your life (ok.. kidding about that) by consulting someone on an auspicious day for that special day of yours.

For me, at least I didn't have to go through that hassle. However, I had to factor in that Mr. C and I are now in Australia and it wouldn't be easy to take such a long break especially since he just started his job early in the year. And besides, my mother (henceforth known as The Mothership) decreed, "no putting it on Christmas eve" and New Year's eve was out of the question as my sister, who's working in church would not be able to attend due to work obligations.

Hence, I had to pick a date somewhere in December as Mr. C will be on forced leave for Christmas and New Year's and given The Mothership's decree it really didn't leave much other dates for me to choose from! Leading to a headache in Wedding Planning Tip #2 - the venue.

NOTE: December and January seem to be hot favourite months to marry in. If there is no restrictions or limitations, try to choose other dates that are not as in demand, allowing you more flexibility and demand power.

Wedding Planning Tip #2 Get your wedding venue

This is SO important- key note is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Scout fort eh few places you have in mind, decide fast and then, grab the venue of your choice! Don't forget to factor in location, how many guests can you fit in and your budget!

Learn from my mistake, I dragged my heels in deciding a date and inadvertently, my venue. I was late in deciding mine and had to settle for luncheon instead!

No... this isn't where my wedding luncheon will be though I wish it will look this spectacularly fairytale like!

Picture taken from HERE.

NOTE: Many are favouring restaurants these days due to it's affordability. Tai Thong restaurants and the Oriental Groups are pretty much value for their money (RM700-RM1000/table). It's reasonable and the food is good as opposed to hotels where it may be grand but the food is just average and you pay quite a fair bit (RM1000-RM2000/table).

Saujana hotel, Equitorial hotel, Cyberview lodge and Bankers Club, Passion Road to name a few are the popular ones off late.

Wedding Planning Tip #3 Set your budget

This is really important especially if you have NO money or not much of it. People always ask me what is my budget and I tell them that I have NO budget. No budget not in the sense where it is unlimited and the sky is the limit kind of budget but more so a zero budget with no money!

And to plan your budget, you also need to decide on a guest list. Will it be a guest list of 200 people? 300? or more? How about your parents and relatives? Once you know roughly how many people you want to invite, the rest is pretty much easy to roughly estimate.

It is said that 30% of your guest list won't be able to make it and 10% of those that says 'yes' won't turn up at the last minute.

Don't forget to budget for wedding gowns, dinner gowns, flowers, groom's suits, rings, photography and the list goes on. In all things, it is always good to be prepared. Hence, do your homework. In everything, research, research, research!

And once you set a budget, try not to deviate from it though the urge to do so is always there! Like for me, I had to change my budget for photographers as my initial budget was a little impractical.

NOTE: Make sure you do a budget factoring a 10% - 20% increase. Different brides will have different budget. Some can afford custom made dresses of RM3K and some, RM500. Some are willing to forgo flowers and pay for photographer and some might opt for actual wedding shoot without the pre-wedding shoots.

Wedding Planning Tip #4 Choose your Photographers and Videographers

These days, there are so many professional photographers out there for one to choose from. The problem is, with one spoilt for choices, it can be maddening to narrow down.

Lightedpixels Photography from Singapore

Lightedpixels

Lightedpixels

And that is why, it is important to gauge how much you're willing to pay for one and then, visit a few, check out their portfolios, interact with the assigned photographer to see if you can get along or if he/she can understand what you have in mind!

Axioo

If you feel uncomfortably with your photographer and there's communication barrier, it will translate into your pictures. For the more experience professionals, it can easily range from RM5K- RM10K and above just for a whole day's work. But if that is out of your budget, there are many that charges below RM3k - RM4K. There are also many noobs who charge less but as they are not as well known, it'll be harder to find them.

Jenny Sun Photography

NOTE: I really love Jenny Sun's natural and yet stunning shots but she is one of the signature photographers that charge a hefty price for her awesome work! You'll also have other famous ones like Lightedpixels, Jon Low (coincidentally a friend's brother) and Axioo. I won a free pre-wedding shoot by a friend, Joshua Chong's Photography that is starting out

Wedding Planning Tip #5 Join competitions

Lastly, join competitions online or from magazines related to wedding. Who knows, you may get a or many free pre-wedding or actual day shoots. If not, even better, you might win your dream honeymoon!

Picture taken from HERE.