Basics of wedding planning

If you're newly engaged, wedding planning might seem incredibly exciting, incredibly daunting, or both - you have to do so much planning - from cakes, music and event planning to floral design and custom invitations etc. And sometimes you just don't know where to start from and need some friendly and expert advice. Here are a few basics that you will have to keep in mind : 

1. Planning and Arranging Budget : This is a crucial and basic step. Only once your finances are set straight and you assign a sum to each category like catering, honeymoon, etc., can you do further planning, or it'll end you up in a lot of trouble. The trick is to set apart 20% of your wedding Budget to meet emergency and other unexpected expenses and plan with the other 80% of funds, for, however you plan the wedding will exceed financials set aside. With this 20% set aside , all the unexpected costs can be dealt with easily.

2. Place Booking and Arrangements - whether you decide to have a beach side wedding , or church wedding etc you have to make arrangements for the venue much earlier. Also the wedding hall and auditorium should be booked in advance , keeping in mind the number of people who will be invited and the space and seating arrangements.  This is also the time to make arrangements for decoration and flowers and fix the wedding theme and colors. 

• Dj - Your wedding DJ is also very important because he or she can make or break the reception.  If you've ever been to a wedding where the DJ was a dud you know how important hiring a great wedding DJ can be in making your wedding night one to remember.

• Wedding photographer - hire a fabulous photographer who will click pictures that will make you feel great and capture some amazing photos to re-create the memories of your wedding in the years to come.

3. Wedding Dress : Take an Appointment with a good boutique. Take quotes from all the boutiques you have shortlisted and go for the best quote. Things to keep in mind - pattern, cloth, quotes , trials. The bridesmaid dresses can also be ordered from the same boutique and you can ask for discounts.

4. Catering - The food, wedding cake, drinks , snacks etc should be pre- determined and the menu given to the caterers in advance so that they can arrange for all the items required and not make any last minute changes due to scarcity of items.

5. Wedding Invites : But first make a list of all the guests to be invited, cross-check , determine who to invite and how - cards (custom or other), e-invites, mails etc

6. Pre- wedding party planning and Post wedding Planning

7. Honeymoon Planning and Booking and other arrangements

These are just few of the things you have to keep in mind and make arrangements for, much ahead of the wedding. Marriage is a big event, enjoy your moment - once you have a strong plan and arrangements done in advance you can relax and have a fun time.