Yes, there are a lot of things that you and your fiancé will have to do in the next while to get ready for your special day. Just make sure that you prioritize your schedule with the major things that need accomplishing and leave the "small stuff" to those periods that need less attention or time. I have researched a fair number of books, websites and vendors that all seem to come to the following consensus on the top 5 areas that require the most consideration on the part of the intendeds. Let us start at the top:
Five:
The Bride's attire and make-up have an extremely important place in this list. It is her day - one that she's been dreaming about since her younger days in elementary school. The elaborate but serious efforts in picking out the gown, dealing with the fitting sessions, and the juggling the follow-up events is crucial to making sure that "the star of the show" is ready to go! Your hair, make-up and accoutrements all must express an air of beauty and confidence. The time for problems is during the "run up" to the big day and not after!
Four:
The Venue is another important deliberation that must be done because it is the place of celebration! Elegance, accessibility, spatial needs, functionality, and service are some of the important, quality markers that determine the scope of the venue's offerings. It is just as important to check out several locations that apply to your budget, elaborate planning and size requirements. Large numbers of guests need room to "breathe" inside the banquet hall. The table spacing, washroom options, adequate parking and venue rules (hours of operation, power needs, food service, order of scheduling reception details, etc.) all should be considered for the final decision to book a location. The venue should be more than just four walls, food and dance floor.
Three:
The Food is always a critical part of the thank you that you express to the guests who have replied to your invitations to attend. Your budget again determines the practicality of how much and how elaborate you make your meal at the reception. Most caterers (hotel chefs) have pictures (digital or scrapbooks) of festive presentations of their culinary spreads. Sometimes, providing a choice of meals is a better way to provide your guests with a chance to ensure for individual tastes or health requirements. Although the food preparation, presentation and appeal are the foremost criteria for booking a location, some considerations need to be given also to variety, serving styles, timing, ethnicity, and wait staff numbers and attire to name a few.
Two:
You may think that this one is a biased view... but if you really think about it ...you might see my point in putting this service so near the top of the hierarchy. The Music/Entertainment is an acute necessity that many intendeds decide to leave to the last minute. It is not a wise idea to leave your entertainment needs to the end of your "To Do List" or to consider an entertainment provider by a whimsical search or a price conscious effort. Here's why.
Most brides want to economize on the music aspect of their party because they have left the music till last moment and their budget is (no doubt) already over-extended. Either they consider the entertainment as an inconsequential thing or they now believe that they are forced to find the best DJ/Band/music source for the lowest price they can find. But in that circumstance lies a very bad trap!
Brides are trying to find a "GREAT DJ" for a "CHEAP PRICE!" The problem is that when you equate VALUE with Quality, Service and Price, there is always a weakness in the connection between the three vertices of the triangle because as you diminish the level on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being excellent) for one or more of the markers, you immediately compromise the overall standard or efficacy of your need!
