Planning to Plan My Wedding
(Incubating Ideas and Tips)
Planning a wedding has got to be one of the biggest and scariest responsibilities to take on, right? I mean it’s like babysitting hundreds or thousands of adults for a few hours on the most important day of your life!
I’ve always been an advocate of the institution of marriage. What better way to spend the rest of your matured years in bliss and harmony than with the person you truly love and respect the most. And what better way to start that journey than with a memorable and eventful commemoration of the love!
Of course, all weddings demand time and effort to be successful but in Nigeria, much more of that is required. You know, because we Nigerians mandate and desire a brew of the necessary element of detailed culture and tradition, and the need to impress.
Now this is where all hell breaks loose because as much as you want to plan your wedding to be the best occasion in the calendar, the one everyone would be talking about in years to come, you want to enjoy doing so with the least level of stress possible.
How does that happen? I’ll tell you what I think!
First of all, you definitely have to know what you want. By that I mean your budget, how many guests would you like in attendance and a dress code for them, the nature of the venue and its decor, the cuisine and so on. It’s important you know what you want on an extensive level, just so you do not get confused along the road. But of course, you should be open to suggestions from family, friends and most importantly, your wedding planner. Which brings me to the next tip:
GET A WEDDING PLANNER! Or a wedding organizer. Everyone needs one. You can’t do it on your own, except you want a gathering at your backyard then sure, go ahead without one. But even a professional wedding planner is advised to hire one for her own wedding. Just to cut down on unnecessary stress. A wedding planner caters for all your needs. From vendor selection, to venue, to souvenir to catering services. You’re the boss, you just need some assistance, so you can have time to put your feet on the table on focus on the love of your life instead, aye?
The next thing is fixing an actual date for the big day. This should be done pretty early you know, so the invitation cards could be sent out in good time. If you’re like me and loves a good turnout, you want people to be aware of the date months prior to it so they can make reservations in their schedule for you. The usual Saturday phenomenon is recommendable as opposed to the scarcely used weekdays. That way, more people are given the chance to celebrate with you!
A point I would consider when fixing a date would most importantly be the venue. What do I mean? The venue has to be selected carefully putting specific things such as space, price, proximity to the couple’s hotel, aesthetics and weather in consideration. So, if you take fancy to an outdoor wedding, say in on a beautiful lawn, you want to ensure your date is fixed during the dry season for obvious reasons.
Asoebi!! The part I look forward to the most! I love a beautifully crafted fabric any day. Asoebi (originated from the Yoruba language, meaning ‘family cloth’) is the material purchased by the bride and resold to those that are interested in buying. I personally regard it as the contribution of the guests to the wedding planning. This is because proceeds obtained from this petit trade are used one way or another to sort out some needs during the planning process.
I know what you’re thinking, when am I going to get to the best part?! Probably the biggest thing a bride looks forward to that day for. Her beautiful wedding dress. Your wedding dress (I specifically speak about the dress because it’s the bride’s day, right?) can either be bought or hired -of course, depending on your budget. Make sure it’s both as beautiful as you want, in the style you want but as comfy as possible. If you’re a dancer like me, be sure to ensure the dress wouldn’t give you any trouble during the action.
Don’t leave everything to your wedding planner. Meet with every vendor he/she proposes and engages. Remember, it is your day!
Trust me, having been a wedding guest for a while now, I know that booking a great Master of Ceremony (MC) is too vital. He is responsible for making the event full of life. It’s such a happy day, make it much more joyful and full of laughter: avoid a boring MC.
I love pictures. I believe in the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Make sure you take lovely and creative pre-wedding photos. Engage people in your union and use these photos as a means of informing potential guests and just anyone about the big day. Upload them on your social media and spread the word!
Finally, love birds; the moment you’ve all been anticipating: YOUR HONEYMOON! Personally, I would plan this first! It is the part I look forward to. A honeymoon doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg. There are beautifully romantic honeymoon packages for affordable rates.
I’ll leave you with this popular phrase: Failing to plan is planning to fail (cliché, I know).
I HOPE YOU PLAN A GREAT WEDDING!
