1st May 2012
Planning a wedding or How to choose guests and alienate your mother-in-law
When I write I usually like to include a quote from some wise old head which is relevant to the subject matter. Well when the topic is 'Wedding Planning' I think the Beatles said it best. Ok, so wedding gowns, floral arrangements, and dessert choices may not have been at the forefront of their mop-topped minds but I like to think buried deep, deep down in their creative mojo the inspiration came from the terror-induced panic that rears its ugly head at every bride (and groom) to be. I am of course referring to 'Help!'.
But be careful what you wish for. Help might just be too readily at hand if you let down the drawbridge. There are after all two key things when planning a wedding; always try to put your personal stamp on the day and perhaps more importantly relax! This day is for you, and your friends and family are there to celebrate that fact, not to judge your choice of napkins or tone of cake icing.
Certain members of your family or close friends may try to persuade you (or they may genuinely be trying to help) into hiring this band or that florist, but politics need to be left outside the door, and a firm decision made that makes you truly happy. And do take magazine 'Must have' articles with a large dose of salt too. It may be a globally renowned Wedding magazine but ultimately anything that is written is formed by one opinion (the author) and backed by another (the editor).
I got married nearly seven years ago and I think it's fair to say that the memories of madness have passed, and now I only recollect the mandatory nodding of my head and the planning of the honeymoon. I can't give a lot of advice on how to plan the day (sorry!) but I would say this; plan the planning!
Get the venue picked as soon as possible, and then allocate certain weeknights or weekends to finding the right photographer/florist/band etc. A planner or the venue's manager will have a pretty firm grasp of the timings of the day so you won't need to worry too much about that. Should you procrastinate and let deadlines slip then it will be two months until 'I do' and it will be more like 'What do I do?!'
And it supposed to be fun, so enjoy it! Need to go to the church in the next county to meet the vicar? Make an afternoon of it and go for a pub lunch. Have to go and check out a photographer's portfolio? Take your camera with you and get them to show you how to make the most out of it!
So it really doesn't have to be a magical mystery tour, or a long and winding road, or a hard days night. Really all you need is love. And patience. And careful planning. And...
