These decisions will shape the whole event and it is a good idea that everyone is on the same page with these.
The Wedding Date: Firstly you will need to keep the time frame appropriate to the scale of your desired wedding. For example, a large wedding of lavish proportions with many details will, in general, take longer to organize than a casual wedding for four. You need to allow time for booking popular venues, florists, and musicians so as not to be disappointed. Another major consideration in choosing your wedding date is the weather. Unfortunately even planning a wedding in mid summer is no guarantee that your day will be fine! However, many venues now have New Zealand’s changeable weather in mind and offer back up plans and spaces to accommodate the different parts of the day so the day will not be ruined by inclement weather.
Couples may also choose a date that is special to them, an anniversary, an auspicious number combination, or a date that is easy to remember….. A great one for this year could be 10th October 2010, (10/10/10), however, weddings aren’t traditionally celebrated on Sundays in New Zealand.
Lastly, the date should suit the main participants, primarily – the bride and groom and all involved parents. Obviously the more notice the better for many, especially if you are inviting overseas guests as their preparation and plans will often be complicated and sometimes costly. You must be prepared for your date not to be suitable for everyone and it will cause a headache if you try and accommodate absolutely everyone.
The Wedding Budget: This is of utmost importance as money concerns can be the downfall of many a happy day.
You need to be realistic about your budget amount and even more importantly, dedicated to sticking to it.
It is now more common for couples to be older and more established by the time they marry so the cost of the wedding often falls on you rather than the parents of the bride. Parents will often help out financially however so this is a good time to discuss together the budget and what everyone’s expectations of the day and the guest list are. Traditionally, parents who have paid for a wedding have been able to invite many friends of their choosing and the wider family. This may no longer be a viable option or unwanted by the bride and groom. However, this needs to be discussed in a practical way as not to offend or disappoint.
After this conversation ELOPEMENT will probably look attractive!
Once these points have been agreed upon it may pay to start a file or book with the plan outlined and all subsequent details noted. Having an organized system for keeping track of receipts and appointment times and schedules will be invaluable. This keeps everything clear, lessens misunderstandings and keeps your budget in check.