Would Like Your Help - Guide For Newbies

[jesie_v]

Thanks for all the info. Its a great help.

[chessa]

All fabulous suggestions, ladies.

Mine is not so organised and startegic; however it worked for me.

I sat down and really thought hard about what my dream day was.

And when I say "dream day", I'm not talking about all the stuff which was impossible (like a family who got along lol), but working with what I had, what did I envisage for the day?

Then I set out to get it.

Researching and sourcing things like flowers, dresses, invitations, font for invitations, cars, receptions, and church/chapel/celebrants etc take time. For me, it took a lot of time.

So it helped to know what I was looking for; and not deviate from that too much.

There are a lot of beautiful wedding things and ideas out there; and sticking to your orginal plan of most things will ensure a hassle and confusion free pre wedding time.

Best wishes to all the brides!

[blossy]

What Chessa said.

However, I think I'd caution against making too many final choices upfront. By all means book celebrants, photographers, venues, florists etc, but don't make choices like wedding colours, flowers, bonbonniere etc too soon. If you have say 12 months to plan, allow yourself 6 months to ponder these things. If your florist is booked and the dress styles are chosen, specific colours and flowers can wait a little.

Its amazing how often people's first choices within a few weeks of engagement, and what they end up wanting, can vary.

Just my 2c! (me, whose wedding would have been white and burgundy with oriental lilies had I have chosen immediately, but who ended up far happier with white with copper acccents, and red, orange and yellow Asiatics).

[Marz]

This is a very helpful thread!!!!!
My advice for anybody just starting is, book reception first as soon as you found the right one, then book celebrant or church asap and photographer - the rest aren't as important to book straight away.
Also have an idea of what you want but don't get your heart set on it. I wanted tea length dress in reds and oranges for my girls but can't have it, the colours didn't not look good on them and the te length dresses looked horrible.

[midnightsun]

Thought I'd bump this for any newbies, and newly engaged girls out there. Some great advice here :)

[Bootcamp Bride 09]

I was the same as you lilrose, we found a really nice venue where we could get married and have the reception (it's right next to the beach) but yes we ummed and ahhed and we lost out. It was all for the best though, I ended up loving our new reception venue SO much more!!!

I got engaged in January of 2008 and planned my wedding for the 19 September this year being the busiest time of the year for weddings I started to plan and book in March of 2008 - I had the following already booked:-

• Photographer (he was the first because I fell i love with his work)
• Reception
• Ceremony Location - Botanic Gardens
• The Band - whether it's a DJ, Jukebox or live band, get in quick

I started going to Bridal Shows/Expos after that, everyone that popped into town. From there I booked the decorator, florist, celebrant (although this is the one thing I left til last, it didn't bother me too much on who we had).
Towards the end of 2008 we had our BM's and GM's picked and I flew to Brisbane to find my dress. I found and ordered my dress in October of 2008 and I received it in February of 2009 (remember some dresses can take up to 6 months, it's one of the most important things of the day and you don't want to leave it, just in case something nicer or better comes along, you will love your dress no matter what!!). I already new what dresses I wanted for the BM's and I ordered these in March 09, and they arrived in July 09. Shoes for BM's were picked also in this time.

From the beginning of the engagement I had a fair idea of what I wanted for Bonbonniere, so I searched the internet for the cheapest prices and I had my wine stoppers before christmas last year and boxes for chocolates.
For the kids table at the wedding, I did a lolly centrepiece and made them all personalised colouring books to keep them occupied. I printed pictures off the net and binded them together, cheap and easy!!!
I was pretty much all set for the wedding months in advance, so there was no stressing or running around the week/s before the wedding, I got to sit back and relax. The only drama I had the week of the wedding was breaking one of the BM's glasses, but Groovy Glasses was great and had another one to me by Thursday before the wedding. The reception venue had everything worked out the entertainment for us after the ceremony. While we were having photo's taken, the guests were able to go back to the motel where our reception is and they opened their bar on the deck which back on to a lake and they had nibblies for everyone!!!

The morning of the wedding, I had a chance to have a sneak peek at the reception completely set up, and it was more than I could have ever imagined. I had a black and white theme and it was beautiful!!!

I know it's a tad bit long, and there's so much more I could write about!!!

[Purple Dragon]

Originally Posted by JesNAdam

i have a few lists already typed up if you would like a copy of them????

i have a to-do list and a month by month planner...

That is a great idea.
Me i have nearly finished planning but now have all the little thinngs to do.