By Georgina Clatworthy

With all the stress and excitement that comes with planning a wedding it can be easy to forget exactly why you are doing all this.  Take on board some of these wedding planning tips to ensure that your relationship remains your top priority through this hectic stage and even on the day itself.

Try to Work as a Team:

Many couples will bicker and argue during the wedding planning but you should still try to work together to achieve your dream wedding day.  You never know but sitting up till 3am putting wedding favors together could become one of your most memorable moments!

Enlist Some Help:

If you are working full time as well as planning your wedding then you will almost certainly need some help to get everything done on time.  Even if you are not working, planning a wedding is a mammoth task and often far more than one person can handle alone.  Get your fiancé involved along with your parents and members of the wedding party, it will take some of the strain off you and free up more time to spend together.

Take a Break:

Try to find some time just for the two of you when all talk of weddings is banned.  Consider tips such as a simple meal at home one night or go off on a mini-break before the wedding day.  It will give you both time to relax and remind yourselves why you are getting married in the first place.

Do Something Together:

If you have a shared hobby and interest don’t put it on hold whilst you are busy planning the wedding.  It could provide the perfect escape, especially when things are getting too much.  If you don’t have a shared interest, then try to come up with one which suits you both.  Exercise is a good option where you could both go to the gym or take to cycling together at the weekends.

Plan Ahead:

Your wedding day can quite literally fly by as you progress from ceremony to photographs, to reception venue, to wedding breakfast, to first dance and at the end of the day you realize you haven’t actually spoken a word to each other since the ceremony!  Make a plan for the day itself whereby you can take some time out together to be alone even if it is only for ten minutes.  Other tips for some together time on the day include asking your driver to stop off on the way to the reception venue, perhaps at a bar or inn where you can grab a quick drink and have a private toast; talk a walk together before the evening party starts around your venue and take some Champagne with you! And if you would really like some romantic time together arrange to sit on a table alone together during the wedding breakfast instead of the traditional top table.  It will give you time to chat and have some precious time alone.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Wedding planning can be an overwhelming task and for many brides it is something that becomes all consuming, taking up all of their time and energy as they strive to achieve the perfect wedding day.  From getting engaged to stepping out at the ceremony, planning a wedding can be a minefield of stress, conflict, fun and excitement!  Here are a few wedding planning tips to help you retain your sanity and stay stress-free till the big day is over.

DO make sure you have chosen your wedding date, worked out your budget, calculated numbers and booked your venue before you even begin thinking about your wedding dress or anything else.  Choosing your date and venue is pivotal when it comes to planning everything else.

DON’T let yourself be pressured into buying a wedding dress which you feel is not right.  Take sometime to shop around, find a bridal boutique you like and get a feel for the style of dresses you like most.  You will know when you have found ‘the one’.

DON’T be tempted to buy a cheap wedding dress online unless you are sure it is from a reputable company.  The internet is full of horror stories from brides who purchased designer copies only to find they did not fit properly, looked nothing like the picture or worse still did not turn up at all.

DON’T fall into the trap of changing your looks just because it is your wedding.  Avoid over the top hair do’s, fake tan and oodles of make-up – no one will recognize you!  And moreover you will look back at your wedding photographs later on only to wonder what on earth you were thinking!

DO give yourself a couple of months before choosing your bridesmaids, maid of honor and wedding party.  It can be easy to get carried away with the excitement of the engagement and appoint everyone you know! However, choosing your bridal party needs careful consideration to ensure you have the right people around you on the day.

DO put together a mood board showcasing your wedding colors and preferred details such as wedding favors, as tips for your florist and wedding planner (if hiring one).  It will instantly let them see what you want and give them style references to work with.

DO give your wedding photographer a list of those people most important to you at the wedding and tips on the specific photographs you want.  This will help them to plan photo’s which include your closest friends and family and make sure no one is left out.

DON’T be tempted to jet off on your honeymoon as soon as the wedding is over.  Book it for a couple of days later so you can relieve your day with friends and family afterwards.  Chances are your wedding will be hot gossip!

DO choose a relaxing destination for your honeymoon so you can recharge your batteries after the hurley burley of the wedding planning and the day itself.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Keeping a handle on your budget is one of the most essential parts of wedding budget planning.  When you find yourself stating ‘Yes, I know it is $2,000 more than I was going to spend, but it is THE ONE’ you know things have gone too far!  So when it comes to your wedding budget make sure you avoid the following seven deadly sins:

1. Didn’t do any wedding budget planning: this is the most important part and where you need to start.  Download and print out a budget planning sheet from the internet and apply a realistic figure to every element of your wedding day.  Don’t forget to add a contingency fund as well – just in case!
2. Not asking enough questions: it is vital that you know exactly what is included in any packages you take up and that every element is booked before the wedding day. 
3. Not negotiating: don’t pay full price for anything unless you absolutely have to.  Every vendor and supplier will have a rock bottom price and most will agree to some kind of discount – if you ask.
4. Not keeping track: this one of the most common sins when it comes to the wedding budget.  You need to make sure you keep a record of what everything has cost you and what you have spent.  If you overspend in one area do not ignore it but recalculate your budget to absorb the extra amount from other areas.
5. Not prioritizing: one of the most important aspects of wedding planning is knowing what is important and what is merely window dressing.  Buying luxury wedding favors over the wedding rings could be a decision you will live to regret so make sure you assign your budget in order of priority.
6. Trying to do it all alone: wedding planning is complex even for the smallest of weddings and it is difficult to deal with everything on your own.  Try to delegate some areas of your planning to other people like the groom, your mom and your chief bridesmaid.  It will make things easier for you and can even help you to save money in the long run as many stressed out brides end up blowing huge amounts of the budget on last minute essentials they have forgotten about.
7. Losing touch with reality: if big prices begin to seem reasonable then chances are you are heading towards a massive shortfall in your budget.  If spending $2000 more than your original budget for an item seems perfectly alright then you are likely to overspend on everything else as well. 

By Georgina Clatworthy

Planning a wedding is a very complex undertaking but no matter how much planning you do there is always the risk of something going wrong, even though it will probably be no fault of your own.  Things can go wrong, from minor hiccups to major clangers, but if you follow these wedding planning tips you can at least plan to deal with the unexpected, prevent it costing you a fortune and stop anything from ruining your wedding day.

Putting some contingency plans in place before the big day can help to ensure you do not suffer from both emotional and financial meltdown!  Here are four wedding planning tips you should adopt:

1. Careful planning: check and check again on every planning detail right down to the color of the ribbons on the wedding favors.  When you have done that run it all past at least one other person to make sure nothing has been forgotten.  Even if things do go awry after that you can’t beat yourself up about it, after you did everything you could.  Try to confirm all arrangements, details and timings with suppliers and vendors at least one week before the wedding day.
2. Make a Plan B: this could be a simple as purchasing wedding insurance which will cover most emergencies and eventualities, even postponing the entire wedding till another day.  Or it could just mean you think up back up plans for things like the DJ not turning up or your hairdresser canceling at the last minute.
3. Try to stay positive if things go wrong: if you have the time you will find a solution.  Vendors who pull out at the last minute can usually be replaced by someone else who will probably take pity on you and if orders turn up which are not what you expected you can usually find something more suitable to replace them.  Grit your teeth and keep smiling – it is not the end of the world if the venue doesn’t have enough champagne flutes or the florist cannot get the exact roses you wanted.
4. Recognize when to relax and let things happen: take some well earned time out on the day before wedding and make a promise to yourself that whatever happens tomorrow you will not loose the plot! The most important part of the wedding day is the act of getting married not the celebration that follows.  So if something goes wrong you will not let it ruin your day. 

Things don’t always work out as perfectly as you would have hoped, but use these tips and trying to keep perspective and staying calm will ensure that the chief emotion on the day itself is not anger, but one of joy.

By Georgina Clatworthy

A destination wedding is a dream for many couples and a good way of having a luxurious wedding for less than having one at home.  But when you embark on your destination wedding planning make sure you do not fall into the same trap that many couples do, which could see them spending more than if they had stayed at home.

Imagine getting married on a sunset beach or in beautiful tropical gardens.  With a destination wedding you usually purchase an all-inclusive package with a tour operator which will include everything your destination wedding planning requires.  Many couples choose to take just a select few guests along with them, close family and friends, to share the special day. 

Destination wedding packages are usually much cheaper than planning a wedding at home and paying for each individual element.  However, the trouble with a destination wedding is that many couples tend to fall into the trap of planning a second party when they return home and this can cost them a fortune!

The trouble with getting married abroad is that not everyone is able to come with you but still want to celebrate the wedding with you when you get back.  To avoid upsetting anyone or putting noses out of joint, many couples will plan a big party when they get back for all those who couldn’t be there originally.

The upshot of this is you end up planning a lavish party for 100 plus guests complete with food, drink, entertainment, decorations, wedding favors and cake!  Many even include the traditional speeches, first dance and associated customs.  So you end up planning two weddings in effect and at a vastly increased cost over what you would have spent had you stayed at home in the first place!

So how to avoid the destination wedding trap?

If you want the big party to celebrate your wedding then simply accept it and have your wedding at home.  Your ceremony can still be low key and intimate but you will save money by having everyone at your reception.  Alternatively and if you are being ‘guilt tripped’ into having another party when you get back then organize a weekend at home where you can spend a minimal amount on food and drink and simply throw open your doors to all those want to come and share a glass of champagne with you.

It is worth remembering that if you want a quiet destination wedding then that is what you should have!

By Georgina Clatworthy

With an army of suppliers and vendors to source for your big day it can be helpful to know the right questions to ask when you first meet with them.  Check out this list of wedding planning advice when it comes to sourcing things like venues, flowers and caterers.

Your Venue

• Is it available on your chosen day?
• Can it accommodate all your guests?
• How far is it from your ceremony venue?
• Is the price within your wedding budget?
• Are in-house caterers available and do you like the menus?
• Are there other weddings taking place on the same day?
• Can you move furniture and pictures?
• Is accommodation available for guests? And can they get a discounted rate?
• Can you have a marquee/band/candles/fireworks?
• Can you have a later bar?
• What is included in the price quoted – taxes, service charges etc?
• Is there an in house wedding planner available who can offer further wedding planning advice and help?

Your Dress Maker

• Is there a fee to try on wedding dresses?
• Will other brides be having fittings at the same time?
• How long will your appointment be?
• Is there a maximum number of dresses you can try on?
• How many people can accompany you?
• How long will your dress take to be made?
• How much are alterations?
• How many fittings will you need?
• What should you bring with you – shoes, lingerie etc?
• Are there co-ordinating accessories available?
• Should you be planning to pay a deposit and when will the balance be due?
• Will your dress be delivered or should you pick it up in person?

Your Photographer

• Does the photographer have a website?
• Do they use film or a digital camera?
• What style of photography do they prefer?
• How many pictures will they take?
• Who will own the copyright to the photographs?
• How long will they stay at the wedding?
• Will they be planning to visit the venue beforehand?
• How long after the wedding will the photographs take?
• How are their fees structured? Per shot or per package?
• Will you be able to access an online gallery of photographs?

Your Caterer

• Can you mix and match menus?
• Can you see testimonials from past customers?
• Can menus be adapted to suit your budget?
• Do they offer a tasting session?  If so is there a fee?
• What is included in the price? Are staff included?
• Can they provide alcohol or should you source your own?
• Are there corkage costs for providing your own drink?

Your Cake Maker

• Can you see examples of their work?
• Can you choose from a selection of fillings?
• Can you have a tasting session?
• Do they specialize in certain styles or can they make any cake for you?
• Is there a minimum spend?
• Can they offer advice to save you money?
• Can you mix flavors in different layers?
• When will you need to pay and how?
• Will they deliver the cake to the venue and assemble it on the day?

Your Florist

• Can you see examples?
• Have they been recommended to you by a venue?
• How many other weddings are they booked for at the same time as yours?
• Can they offer advice on keeping within budget?
• When should you be planning to pay them?
• How long do they need to set up your flowers?

By Georgina Clatworthy

If you are looking for innovative wedding planning ideas then how about getting your entire wedding for free?  This is what happened to one lucky UK couple who booked their entire wedding day for free following a Facebook campaign set up by their friends.

The couple from Wales had enjoyed a 14 year engagement and had always dreamed of a fairytale wedding.  With ideas for their big day in place the bride entered a radio competition to win a dream wedding, but was unfortunately pipped into second place.  On returning home, the devastated bride was surprised to find her street lined with well wishers waving flowers and bottles of wine!

It turned out one of their friends had set up a Facebook page to appeal for donations towards the wedding costs and to local wedding businesses.  It worked, because the campaign took off and soon the couple had received numerous offers on various elements of their wedding planning, including donations and full packages.  In total they bagged a wedding worth £20,000 (around $30000) including a Georgian Manor House venue, complete wedding photography package, flowers, wedding dress and even a matching pair of gold and diamond wedding rings.

So could you adopt the same ideas for your wedding planning?  Well if your budget doesn’t match your wedding planning ideas then you could also try a Facebook or MySpace campaign.  Whilst there is no guarantee you will get the same response this couple did, you could be surprised at the level of generosity that exists.

Another tip is to harness the power of the internet and set up your own wedding planning blog.  Offer local wedding businesses some advertising space on your pages in return for discounts etc on their services.  With the wedding industry being ultra competitive many will be happy to grab some cheap advertising and of course customer endorsements go along way with other potential brides!  Consider it as a form of affiliate marketing for your wedding day!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Planning a wedding is an exciting time in any couple’s lives but it can also be a huge cause of stress and conflict.  For some, getting married can bring about feelings that the wedding is not so much about the beginning of a new life together, but more about the end of independence and singledom.  Accepting wedding planning help when it comes to your big day can be more than just asking for opinions on wedding favors or what color the bridesmaid dresses should be.  Asking your married friends and family for advice about keeping that spark after the wedding is over could help you to keep your relationship happy and healthy for many years to come.

Here are five ways you can nurture your relationship when the ‘I do’s’ are over:

1. Make time for yourselves such as setting aside a regular date each month where you spend time alone.  It could be a meal at your favorite restaurant or simply just staying in and having a romantic meal at home.
2. Try to share some interests, such as sport or hobbies.  Even if you do not like his favorite sport, try to at least watch a game with him every once in a while.  In return he could take you to the theatre, join you swimming or whatever it is you like to do.
3. One key to successful relationships after the wedding planning is to never forget the little things.  Cooking his favorite meal or just making a fuss of him every now and then will really show just how much you love him.
4. Your relationship should be based around more than just the two of you.  It should be about your family and friends as well so don’t think that you have to spend all of your time alone for your relationship to succeed.  Develop relationships with family and friends too and with their help and support your relationship will become stronger too.
5. Listening is so essential! You may both have busy lives, juggling home and work, but try not to ignore each other in everything you have going on.  Make sure you always have time to listen to what each other has to say.

Many couples can find it difficult at first once the wedding planning is over, but healthy relationships are built on nurturing emotions, intellect and passion.  They can be hard work at times and easy at others but you need to make sure your lives do not become mechanical and that quality time together is a rarity.

Marriage is a fantastic journey for the both of you and means that the spark you first felt when you met has become something far more meaningful and special.

By Georgina Clatworthy

For most planning a wedding takes around 12 months or longer.  Many brides would find it inconceivable to plan a wedding in less time, but a short planning timeframe of 6 months or less can do wonders for those brides who find decision making difficult!  For those that are indecisive and disorganized having a tight deadline is definitely a great way to focus the mind and ensure everything is in place by the time the big day arrives.

First stop is finding your venues.  Whilst it can be difficult to find venues which have not been booked up years in advance, it is not impossible and applying a little creative thinking to where you get married can lead you to a world of opportunities.  Consider venues such as parks and gardens, barns, restaurants and municipal buildings, aside from the more traditional hotels, houses and clubs.

Shop for your wedding dress as soon as possible as ordering to manufacture to fitting and finally taking it home can take around six months.  Many bridal stores will offer a fast track service for brides who are planning a wedding in a much shorter timeframe and you will always have the option of purchasing a dress in a sample sale or secondhand/never worn basis.

Get your catering under way as soon as possible if not using an in-house service through your venue.  Choosing a venue which can offer you a package deal is a good option if planning your wedding in just a few months, but if you have chosen to find caterers yourself then get on to them as soon as possible to ensure they can meet your deadlines.

Post your invitations no later than three months before the big day and arrange your gift list asap too.  You will need to give your guests as much time as possible to not only reply but to also make arrangements for travel, accommodation and attire.

Now the basics are in place, it is time to turn your attention to the smaller details.  Get your wedding cake ordered and your wedding favors.  You will also need to find and book your florist, photographer and evening entertainment.  Do this as soon as you have booked your venues as the best service providers are booked up well in advance, but you may get lucky!

Limit the number of people you have in your wedding party as finding several matching bridesmaid dresses can take a long time.  One or two bridesmaids will give you a better chance of finding pre-made bridesmaid outfits rather than having to have dresses and accessories ordered.  Organize suit hire for the groom and his party around two-three months before.

This may seem exhausting and chances are it will be!  But you will find it all perfectly achievable if you are prepared to compromise, carry out your research and use those wedding planning checklists to full effect!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Planning a wedding can lead to all sorts of stresses and conflicts, especially with those closest to you, so it can be useful to remember that patience is a virtue, along with sensitivity and flexibility.  Here are my tips on keeping your head during your planning phase even though all around you are loosing theirs!

Scenario 1: Your Mom is Taking Over

Time to become a little assertive and remind her gently just whose wedding this is!  Keeping an overzealous mom in check can be difficult not least because she is number one on the list of people you want to keep happy.  But even with dear old mom it is important to set out a few ground rules and boundaries.  Smile sweetly at her, but let her know firmly which areas of your wedding are still up for debate and which are non-negotiable.

Scenario 2: Your Groom is More Interested in the Football

Patience is the key here, even though it infuriates you that whilst you are planning a wedding of a lifetime, he is more interested in TV!  Let’s face it he is never going to sit and cut the ribbons for your wedding favors with you, but he can still lend a hand with the wedding planning.  Take sometime to think about which areas he could handle, such as the transport, drinks order and suits for the groomsmen.

Scenario 3: Your Bridesmaids Loathe Every Dress you choose

Dressing your bridesmaids can be one of the hardest tasks you will face, as it can be difficult to please all of them!  Here you will need to be flexible and allow them some say on what they wear on your big day.  Playing the ‘its my day so you will wear what I want’ card is unlikely to help, so instead talk to them about what they want, the styles they like and color choices.  Hopefully some common ground will emerge and you can all trot off down to the bridal store to place an order!

Scenario 4: Your Mother-in-Law has Chosen an OTT Outfit

And it is simply ghastly! It doesn’t coordinate with the wedding theme you have so carefully chosen and to top if all, it is less than flattering on her.  Tact and restraint are called for now along with a touch of subtlety! Suggest you go on a shopping trip or book her a special appointment with an in-store stylist (say it was a surprise you booked a while ago) and see if she comes back with something more suitable.  If she doesn’t then you may just have to drop it and accept that her original choice will be what she turns out in.

Scenario 5: Your Single Sister Says She is Sick of all the Wedding Talk

Be sensitive to her feelings chances are she is fed up of you always picking her brains and is now feeling somewhat overshadowed and perhaps a little jealous.  With all the wedding plans it can be difficult for you to remember that she may need your support too so make sometime to spend with her away from anything to do with the wedding.