IF you are planning to get married this year, then our A to J Wedding Guide could be a big help, so read on.
A is for ALBUM Your wedding day is unique and pictures of this special day are unique too, because as the memory fades they will be a constant, vivid reminder of your happiest moments. So ensure you have perfect photographs by employing a professional. Friends and relatives can also take pictures but professional photographers have the experience to cope with changing weather conditions and lighting and choose the best settings. Many can also give you 'special effect' pictures for your collection and offer a wide choice of albums to complement your wedding day photographs.
B is for BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS Once the wedding date is set the bride will have a full diary right until the big day. One of your first tasks is to choose your bridesmaids. Whether they are friends or relatives they will be an invaluable help to you on your busy day. This is also a good time to choose, if required, your pageboys. Another pleasurable task is choosing your wedding dress, whether it is going to be made, bought or loaned and assist your bridesmaids in choosing your bridesmaids' outfits. Together with the groom you will decide on your guest list, send invitations, book the wedding cars, reception, photographer and flowers, so the sooner the planning starts the easier it will be. In addition, you want to ensure you look radiant on your special day, so again plan ahead. If you are thinking of trying a new hairstyle to complement your headdress then it is advisable to book an earlier appointment at the hairdressers to try it out, and of course, this applies to your bridesmaids as well. If you plan to have your make-up professionally applied, again it is well worth trying out the style before the big day.
C is for CHURCH Once you have decided to marry in a church and set the date, it is important you see the church minister as soon as possible to ensure that you get the day and time you want. Once you have booked the church the minister will offer you advice on the form of service, choice of hymns and wedding music, the reading of the banns and other aspects of the wedding. Do ask whether he allows photographs and video recording in church and confetti throwing, because he may object. If you choose a Register Office you must go along at least a month before in person to obtain a marriage certificate and fulfil residence conditions. If you require a Service Blessing, being unable to marry in church, see your minister. D is for DATE Whether is is booking the church or reception venue, selecting your photographer or choosing your flowers, remember to book early to avoid disappointment.
E is for ENTERTAINMENT If you have decided to have an evening reception, as well as booking a suitable venue you have to think about the type of entertainment you require whether you want a live group or band or a disco. Today most people have discos, but before booking a certain DJ ensure he can meet all your requirements. F or instance, can he play all ranges of music from waltzes for the older guests to the latest sounds around? It is also worthwhile to get quotes from two or three DJs to ensure you are getting value for money.
F is for FLOWERS The wedding bouquet and wedding flowers are an important part of your wedding and must be chosen with great care. The wedding bouquet must complement your dress, while the bridesmaids' bouquets must suit their dresses. There is a choice between fresh or silk flowers for bouquets, garland and corsages. The silk ones will last forever, providing a lasting reminder of your special day and are a good idea for hay fever sufferers in the height of summer. The florist will advise you on your choice and you may well prefer the beautiful fragrance and natural beauty of fresh flowers. It is also a good idea, if possible, to take a piece of cloth from your wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses to the florist for an exact colour match.
G is for GROOM AND BEST MAN The groom and best man must also look after their wedding attire. If it is going to be 'morning suits' they will have the choice of whether to hire or buy their suits. If it is going to be ordinary suits then again they can buy or hire dark suits, but if hiring it is important to reserve your suits early. The groom chooses the best man and ushers, pays for the ring, fees and gifts for the bridesmaids and ushers, flowers, transport and traditionally the honeymoon. Among the duties of the best man is to get the groom to the church on time, hold the ring(s) until required, pay the church fees for the groom and ensure all guests have transport to the reception. Once there he reads the telegrams, cards and makes a speech.
H is for HONEYMOON Your honeymoon is an important part of your wedding celebrations and it needs plenty of attention to detail. Put yourself in the hands of a reputable travel company who will look after your needs, whether you are honeymooning in this country or abroad. It is also important to go to a travel agency early to ensure you get the dates and destination you want.
I is for INVITATIONS For anything other than a very small wedding, printed or engraved invitations are the most convenient. Most good stationers have sample invitations so it is a good idea to look through a few sample books and get comparative quotations before making your final choice. It is a good idea to post invitations at least six weeks ahead to give people a chance to plan ahead and note down your replies for the catering numbers.
J is for JEWELLERY The most important of jewellery at any wedding is the wedding ring! Today in many cases both bride and groom choose to have wedding rings and jewellers have responded to this by making matching sets. It is a good idea to start looking for your wedding rings three months ahead in case they need altering. Very often the groom will buy the bridesmaids an item of jewellery, such as a cross and chain or bracelet, as his wedding gift.
Our A-ZGuide to your wedding day continued K is for KISS When the minister or registrar utters those famous words 'kiss the bride' you know your wedding day worries were unfounded it's gone like a dream!
L is for LOVE Your wedding day is the start of a lifetime of love and sharing together, so ensure everything is well planned and organised in advance so you won't miss a minute of this unique day.
M is for mortgage Most newlyweds wish to start off married life in their own home and plans for house buying must start as soon as possible. House particulars are available from estate agents and once you have viewed a property you wish to buy, the next stage is to arrange a mortgage. Building societies and estate agents will be only too happy to advise you on the best type of mortgage for your own particular financial circumstances.
N is for NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCEMENTS If you wish, news of your engagement and forthcoming marriage can be placed in your local newspapers. Most wedding photographers will also ensure that a wedding day photograph will appear in the local paper.
O is for OUTFITS As well as choosing your beautiful wedding dress you must also decide what other outfits you will require. For instance, if you are having an evening reception are you going to wear your wedding dress so guests who are attending only the reception can see it? Or are you having a separate outfit?
P is for PRESENTS One ideal way of coping with wedding presents is to compile a wedding list which you can give to all your guests. Include the complete price range of gifts so no one feels obliged to 'spend a fortune'. Keep a master list for yourself so you know which items are being bought for you. This also helps to keep track of your gifts when it comes to writing your thank you letters.
Q is for QUEST FOR THE BEST Obviously, you want everything to be perfect for your wedding day, so it is always a good idea to allow yourself time to shop around and compare services and prices.
R is for RECEPTION When organising your reception you must decide whether or not you require an evening reception, and if you are going to have the same venue throughout the day. It is important to book your reception venue and outside caterers, if required, as early as possible. If you are booking a hotel try and sample a meal there before finally booking the room and don't forget to try two or three venues to compare the costs.
S is for SPEECHES Speeches are an important part of a wedding, but they should be brief, sincere and humorous if possible. The bride's father or an old family friend proposes a toast to the bride and groom's health. The bridegroom replies and should thank those who have given the wedding. He then thanks guests for their presents and finishes by proposing a toast to the attendants. The best man replies on their behalf and may conclude by reading their cards and telegrams.
T is for TRANSPORT Wedding cars should be booked as early as possible. As most people have their own cars today, sometimes the only cars required are for the attendants, immediate family and you and your father. Don't forget to double check your travel arrangements one week before the wedding.
U is for USHERS Formal church weddings require a minimum of three ushers. They hand out service sheets to guests on arrival at the church and show them to their seats. The bride's family is on the left-hand side of the altar, the bridegroom's on the right. One usher should wait for the bride's mother to escort her to her seat and also the groom's parents.
V is for VIDEO Having a professional video made of your wedding day is the ideal way of keeping cherished memories alive.
W is for WEDDING CAKE Your wedding cake should be moist, rich and beautiful and it should photograph well. It should be ordered at least six weeks in advance.
X is for the kiss that started it all.
Y is for why worry? If you have followed our guide everything will be well organised and go without a hitch.
Z . . . zzz is for sleeping peacefully knowing you have a splendid day ahead.
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