i just love weddings.

seeing two person in love committing to each other in front of God and witnesses. it takes honor, love and courage. and in helping them coordinate their weddings, i hope that it will lessen their stresses and give them the space to enjoy their wedding day. too many times, i've seen couples who'd missed the significance of a marriage ceremony and passed it off merely as another routine in life where in actual fact, every act is a symbol of their love and honor to each other. it should not be projected as any less than it is.

I've set up this blog after going through my typical research across google and compiled a set of 'everything' that i feel is safe for a christian context and also bringing light to 'everything' regarding weddings.

Everything from here are a mixture from compilation, experience, reading through many sites. MY APOLOGIES if there are no references to where I've gotten the info as everything was collected over the years from too many sources to be able to trace back.

This blog will also serve as the central for weddings happening in Eaglepoint since I'm the church's wedding liaison person. If you need a coordinator, you can contact me.

Lastly, congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

From experience and from research, below are the main things involved in the budget of a typical wedding:

1. Tradition formality - every culture has its own set of tradition practices, from dowry to gifts exchange
2. Ceremony - whether at church or at a hall
3. Reception - usually there's a reception after the ceremony
4. Banquet/Dinner
5. Bride + Groom's attire and adornments
6. Pre-wedding Beauty Indulgences
7. Bridal Attendants' garbs and such
8. Florist & Deco
9. Cakes & Such
10. Stationeries
11. Photography & Videography
12. Gifts, Tokens or Favours
13. Honeymoon arrangements
14. Marriage registration
14. Miscellaneous - transportation, change of home, bedroom decoration and anything

If you've covered all the above, rest assured you're insured for a successful wedding.

The first thing any couple needs to do after marriage proposal, would be to sit down together and chart out the budget.

As the coordinator, I would first, present them with the budget list and get them to chart it first before start on any of the above.

This blog can only serve theoretically and for your information only. In order to get the full experience of everything, you would need to check with me personally.

You can explore each of the category above from the side bar.

Many soon-to-be-wed couples have begun to appreciate the wedding planner as they realized that they will be relieved of a tremendous amount of stress and will be able to better enjoy the months of preparation leading up to that very special day.

An all-encompassing service basically covers the planning and coordinating process associated with the entire wedding, right from the onset through the wedding day. Other planners meanwhile also provide piece-meal services.

A couple for instance might only hire the wedding planner to see to the smooth-running of the day’s activities, therefore taking on the responsibilities of working with all suppliers and contractors prior to the wedding themselves.

However, the benefits of doing so are unquestionably worthwhile:

• Decline of stress levels. Opportunity for you to relax and enjoy the process.
• A more systematic and effective approach to event planning.
• Coordination of service providers.
• Handling of the nitty-gritty details. Prompting deadlines, look into quotations, follow up and check on progress with wedding vendors, relieving you of the many little tasks which otherwise you would have to take care of on your own.
• Keeping track of schedules, timelines and budget.
• A shoulder to cry on when necessary.
• A better use of the limited time off work and can be more focused effort to oversee the entire event.
• Opportunity to tap into the planners’ previous experience, ensuring that potential problems be nipped in the bud and avoided. No need to learn from your own mistakes. Learn from others’.

Perhaps one of the most important roles a wedding planner can play is that of mediator. When everyone from the immediate family members, parents in particular, want to have a say in the wedding preparations, things might be heated.

This is where a wedding planner can come to the rescue. An objective perspective, tact and the offer of a list of possible proposals and solutions will no doubt lead to an amicable compromise which every party involved will be happy with. In effect, they can be a source of comfort and a shoulder to cry on when the necessity arises.

Best of all is the assurance that on your wedding day, everything would be taken care of, in the safe hands of an experienced person.

You can just go with the flow and enjoy your big day!

1. Consultation only – Free of charge
2. Just ceremony (approx 4 hours) - suggested love gifts of RM400
3. Just banquet (approx 4 hours) – suggested love gift of RM400

* coordination includes approximately 2 planning meetings, 1 rehearsal and 1 actual day.

Coordination to include:

PRE WEDDING DAY:

* Initial consultation with bride and groom

* Ongoing consultation and advice (e.g. on etiquette) as required

* Providing a budget form

* Providing a suggested checklist,

* Providing a suggested wedding vow

* Preparing the actual day schedule/timeline

* Assisting with selecting and booking an Officiant for the wedding

* Assisting with selecting and booking on worship team for the wedding

* Reviewing of vendors' contracts (but not dealing with vendors)

* Attending and overseeing the rehearsal (up to 2 hours)

* Instructing attendants about their duties

* Rehearsal direction and coordination

ACTUAL DAY:

* Directing the processionals, recessionals and receiving line

* Coordinating the collection of gifts received on the wedding day

* Wedding day coordination – up to 4 hours for ceremony only

* Ensure setting up of the venue (materials to be provided by bridal couple)

* Preparing communion bread & drink (table, kneeler, cup and platter not provided)

* Organizing, tracking and passing out thank you cards or gifts for event helpers after ceremony during the actual day

* Clearing up of materials, items and belongings after the ceremony

* Providing a stress-free day for the bride and groom

* services ends on the same day

Below are not included unless otherwise discussed/negotiated:

* Any design work or printing of wedding stationeries

* Any additional ceremony (i.e., tea ceremony, gift exchange ceremony and such)

* Assisting with selection and booking of ceremony and reception venues

* Assisting with selecting a color scheme, theme and style of the wedding

* Assisting with the design and arranging the printing of the invitations

* Assisting with selection of wedding attire and accessories

* Finding, negotiating with and booking suitable vendors (e.g. florist, photographer, videographer, musicians, caterer, etc.)

* Scheduling appointments with vendors for clients to meet with them (where necessary)

* Coordinating with vendors

* Providing information to obtain a marriage license

* Preparing itineraries, seating list

* Reception planning (up to 400 guests)

* Assisting with booking accommodations for out-of-town guests

DO’S

• You want to look your best for your wedding. Don’t resort to extreme measures to lose weight because you’ll just gain weight or injure your body. And may even render postponing the date due to hospitalization. Set a realistic weight loss goal (if need be) and exercise regularly. Get sufficient sleep.

• Consider some of your parents suggestions, especially if they are contributing to the finances.

• Break in your shoes prior to wedding day. Remove price tags from under the shoes.

• Keep your composure during the planning process. If things get stressful, take time out for yourself

• Remember to get a bite to eat from time to time during the wedding day

• Accept that some things will not go according to plan on your wedding day but no one will notice, so just relax

• Always smile as the cameras will be aiming at you

• Make full use of table centerpieces at the end of the banquet by presenting them as a token of thanks to your team of helpers

• Consider the advices of the wedding service providers. They speak more from experience and they do have your best interest at work

DON’TS

• Do not exceed your budget, no matter how tempting

• Never make major decisions without discussing with your fiancé/fiancée first

• Do not procrastinate when it comes to appointing your service providers

• Do not be late for appointments with your service providers

• Do not squabble over tiny issues and disagreements; talk things over objectively

• Never think you can handle everything – delegate!

• Do not underestimate the importance of checklist. Keep them up-to-date and run through it periodically. To remind you of outstanding items to look into

• Do not diet excessively but do watch what you eat
• Do not over accessorize, sometimes less is more

• Do not get stressed during the planning process – if you do get stressed easily, schedule exercise or spa time during the run-up to the wedding.

• Do not hold hen or stag nights on the eve of the wedding - you will never recover in time
• Do not arrive late on your wedding day

All said and read, on the day, just go with the flow and everything will fall into place, those pieces that didn’t make it will be fine as well.