A - Z OF PLANNING A WEDDING
Everything you need to know about planning your celebration.

SEASONAL BLOOMS
Year round - Calla Lily, Carnation, Freesia, Gardenia, Orchid, Rose
Spring - Daffodil, Hyacinth, Lilac, Lily-of-the-valley, Peony, Tulip
Summer - Cosmos, Daisy, Delphinium, Marigold, Scabiosa, Violet
Fall - Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Hydrangea, Seasonal berries, Sunflower, Autumn leaves
Winter - Anemone, Evergreen, Paper-white, Poinsettia, Amaryllis, Forced bulbs

PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST
1. Bride
2. Groom
3. Bride and Groom
4. Groom with groomsmen
5. Bride with bridesmaids
6. Bride with parents
7. Groom with parents
8. Bride and Groom with their parents
9. Bride and Groom with their families
10. Entire wedding party

Where to start
1. Discuss with your partner and parents on when you would like to solemnise your marriage and book a date with Registry of Marriage (ROM).
2. Solemnisation witnesses can be your parents, relatives, and friends who are above 21 years old.
3. Find the location you’ll like to hold your ROM ceremony and invite a solemniser who is located near that venue. Then, file notice of marriage with ROM. Click onto ROM at our site for more details.
4. Do plan your ROM ceremony. Decide if you want to personalise the vows and who you want to invite for the day.
5. Do attend a marriage preparation course.

First things first
1. Pick a date that’s special for both of you and that gives you time to plan for your wedding. For the traditionalist, consult specialists on an auspicious day.
2. Whether it’s a traditional ceremony, a causal affair or a fun outdoor garden party, don’t let others influence your decision. Plan it the way you like it. If you must, have two celebrations to please both family and friends.
3. Choose a theme. Style Weddings has lots of ideas to help you convert hobbies into a theme. For those who love travelling, go for an “around the world” theme and decorate the venue with photos of places you’ve both been to.
4. Work on a budget. Decide on who pays for what. Prioritise your expenditure to avoid running into debt.
5. Check for venue availability once you have decided. The location will influence your theme and the number of guest. Make sure the place is comfortable, for instance, if it’s insect-free or pillar-less. If accessibility is an issue, hire a valet service or a shuttle bus. This will help with transportation and parking, especially if parking lots are limited. For overseas celebrations, arrange transportation and accommodations for guests.

The dream gown
1. Shop six months before the wedding for the dress to give you time for alterations.
2. Check Style Weddings for good bridal shops. Click on store listings for locations.
3. For design ideas, turn to Style Weddings. Do try several styles at recommended boutiques. Show clippings to the designer on styles you want.
4. Wear a nude, strapless bra, and shoes of similar height during your fitting. This way, the shop can alter your gown to the accurate length.
5. Consider your budget and decide if you want to rent or buy the gown, the type of packages you want and how much you’re willing to spend.

Other essentials
1. Gorgeous bouquets: Think outside the box and create bouquets from herbs and fillers such as feathers and pearls. Try matching colours and seasonal trends. Also blend florals with the mood of your wedding and theme. (See below for a complete listing of seasonal blooms.)
2. Invitations: Mail invites three weeks before the event to give guest time to prepare. Invites must include names of host/hostess, place, time, date, dress code, purpose of the party and RSVP information. Consider sending theme invitations like travel postcards. Get spares in case you need to add more guests at the last minute.
3. Wedding gifts: Be creative. Wedding favours can include anything from bottled candies to personalised photo frames. Source for ideas and keep a check on your budget. Favours can also double as table decorations.
4. Food galore: For the feast, ask for recommendations for a caterer or even a hotel. Go for food tastings and check if they cater to guests with special requests, like vegetarian or halal dishes. If on a tight budget, opt for a light brunch buffet or afternoon tea. A detailed tasting and grading sheet for each menu will help with decision-making.
5. Entertainment: What’s a celebration without entertainment? Bear in mind the number of guests and you can choose to have bridal games, live bands, firework displays or even get friends to perform for you.
6. Wild about decorations: Add special touches to the venue and transform the location into your desired theme. It’ll make your wedding a little more personal. Experiment with flowers and decorations on the chairs, table settings, lamps and centrepieces.
7. Toasting: For toasting, start with your dad or relative, then the groom and end it with the best man’s speech.

Picture perfect
1. Decide on the kind of pictures you prefer — posed or candid ones. Once you know your style, it’s easier to find a photographer. Also, bring samples of wedding photos you like.
2. Get recommendations or check out Style Weddings and online portfolios for more ideas.
3. Most studios have a team of photographers. Look at their specific portfolios and not the studio’s general album. That way, you can be sure you are hiring the photographer of your choice.
4. Choose a photographer whose personality matches yours, as your wedding day and photoshoot will be a long and emotionally draining one.
5. Once you have decided on a photographer, give him free reign, while you enjoy your special day. Trust him to bring out the best poses.
6. Have a photo checklist to ensure that you’ve got all the various portraits for your wedding album. (See below a complete checklist.)

Honeymoon special
1. Opt for a place that both of you have not been to. Create your own memories there as you discover the destination together.
2. Plan in advance. Surf the Internet for price comparisons and information on destinations and hotels. This will save you all the legwork.
3. Stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary cost. Tell everyone you’re honeymooners and you might get a free upgrades or special treatments.
4. Plan your itinerary around the two of you and focus on each other instead of insisting on covering all the tourist spots or activities.
5. With all the hectic celebrations the night before, choose a later flight or one a few days later.
6. Look out for all-inclusive packages with airport transfers, meals and activities. This will help attach a definite price tag to your entire vacation, leaving you to eat, drink and be merry without a care!

Related Articles:
• Love Songs - Find the perfect love song for your wedding.
• Uniquely Yours - We suss out the best and bring you the coolest ideas!
• Planning a Wedding in Malaysia - Your A - Z guide. Where it all begins...
• A Modern Fairy Tale - Create your own personal wedding website.
• Truly Original - Tips on how to create a celebration that you can call yours!