Week 35 – OMG!! …. Out of Control

Bonjour from Project Wedding HQ

Well I have been out of action for a week as like other Brides-to-Be, I work 7 days a week and long days and time is flying by rather quickly.  I have finally lost the plot and my head is spinning out of control.  Yes yes I am a Wedding Planner, but planning your own wedding does not make it any easier.  I have decisions to make as well.

OMG the decisions decisions desions, where to next.  So at this point I have a Groom, Venue, Theme – that is all that is confirmed and the wedding is 28 weeks a way.  I said this to my fiancee the other night and it just sounded so terrible, saying 7 months so much better.

So where to next.  I did a Wedding Workshop on the weekend discussing these very things with my Bridal Couples and I said stop REMAIN CALM.  Ummmmm I don’t know if I can do it.  I was meant to have my Save the Dates out 4 weeks a go and that hasn’t happened yet.  I went for my first Bridal fitting a few weeks ago and was meant to do a follow up and that hasn’t happened.  My bridesmaids and I decided that we would go dress shopping for them and that hasn’t happened.  So when is this all going to happen.

So here is just some of things I need to start thinking about:

• Getting on top of my wedding budget
• Celebrant
• Photographer
• Floristry
• Stationery
• Wedding Vows
• Ceremony Location
• Wet Weather Location
• Permits
• Wedding Dress
• Bridesmaids Dresses
• Suit Attire
• Rings
• Hair & Makeup
• Wedding Cake
• Ceremony & Reception Music
• Entertainment
• Bonbonniere
• Menu
• Seating Plan
• Transportation
• Honeymoon
• and the list goes on.

So no wonder we go crazy as a Bride and lose control.  On top of our normal work and social commitments we have to plan a wedding which is a full time job in itself.  Did you know the average wedding takes over 200 hours to plan by the time you make phone calls, go to appointments, make your decisons, finalise and complete the wedding planning process.  Something to think about.  Until next time.

Au Revoir, The Savvy Bride

Day 276 – Wedding “Bills” – Who’s Paying!

Bonjour from Project Wedding HQ

So with a wedding date, venue, guest list, what comes next. Some times this topic can come first, but who pays for what. In the case of my wedding, Chris and I are paying for everything.

In decades past it was tradition that the Brides parents pay for everything, but not anymore, far from the case. I would say a very small percentage of weddings I have taken part in that it has being solely the brides parents that have paid for the wedding.

I have found the most common options today are that the couple pay for everything or it is now split up between the brides parents,  grooms parents and the bridal couple will take on the remainder.

This is certainly a very sensitive topic and needs to be approached with due care  At the end of the day you can not make someone pay for something they don’t want to and you will never ever make everyone happy. Lesson learnt previously.  Discussions about money always causes disagreements whether it be for a wedding or not, but especially a wedding as it is such an expensive event.  If people won’t contribute and that means you have to pay for something else, so be it.   Don’t give yourself undue stress by having confrontations about who is paying for what, if it is easier for you to walk away from it, do it.  You will have many other things to worry about.  This just means you have more control over your wedding because you are paying for it.  I know this seems easy for me to say, but I have experienced this to many times taking part in many weddings and it really causes strain on family relationships and with the bridal couple.  It is just not worth it.

This is the way Chris and I see it.  We are paying for it all and we will have the wedding we want with no one else’s input. Until next time.

Au Revoir, The Savvy Bride

Day 280 – Why Save the Date?

Bonjour from Project Wedding HQ

Now I have my wedding date and my guest list, the next most important thing for me to do is to organise my Save the Date cards to go out to my guests to improve attendance.

WHAT IS A SAVE THE DATE CARD? 

A Save the Date is a basic card that is sent out several months prior to sending your official Wedding Invitation. Some bridal couples may see this as an extra cost, however this is very important for guests who are travelling from interstate or have a busy work schedule and need to place the date into their calendar. Guests who need to travel or want to book accommodate need to be able to budget and will need extra time to plan.

HOW DO SAVE THE DATE CARDS WORK?

It is recommended that your save the date cards go out at least six months to a year before your wedding day. On your card you should include the Bride and Grooms name, date and time and the location and maybe include a map.

So now I have to come up with something to reflect my wedding theme, without giving to much away before the formal Wedding Invitation. There are many many different designs and ideas for Save the Dates, I am becoming so totally confused and need to just narrow it down and do it or they will never go out.  I will keep you posted as to my design. Have a great new year everyone.

Au Revoir, The Savvy Bride