❦felicia.grace❦: Wedding

Showing posts with label Wedding. Show all posts

Crazy Nightmare will be the words filled in a bride's head when she has countless things to work on.

It's definitely not easy being a bride when you have so many things to look into.

Therefore this post serves a purpose to help those brides-to-be!

I have about 11 things to talk about here so please bear with me alright.

1. BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET!

I think a lot of brides today neglected this, like, A LOT.

Budget is crucial because without it, you would be simply spending, and ended up paying debts after the wedding.

Who would want to start their marriage life with an amount of debt right?

Now with technology, there are actually many apps and websites that you can use to create your budget.

There are actually two that I used and found it quite alright. But I'm a lazy ass person who hates looking at figures, so I'm thankful for my husband who did all of it. *laughs*

But for those tech-savvy brides, here two of what I found quite suitable to use for.

The Knot

It's free!

I think everyone loves things that are free, isn't it?

Basically, it covers everything.

They also have a recommendation on how much you should spend on a particular thing.

They will let you know how much you have spent out of your total budget too.

Wedding Lah

Wedding Lah is a bit similar to The Knot.

They both have a website, to post your pre-wedding pictures, have RSVP option, website template and lots more.

What's a bit better was the option of a Chinese or Western wedding, and they will show you what you will need to spend based on what wedding you chose.

Downside is, its only a 7 days free trial account.

You can get a lifetime account at RM 99.

If you're not tech-savvy, who prefers the old fashion way, feel free to email me and I'll give you an excel sheet template for it!

Please do remember, you create a budget for a reason, don't overspend on certain things!

2. Hire a Coordinator

I myself never thought of having a coordinator. Thought I could just do it all on my own.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

It got so messy near the end, I didn't even know how to handle it.

Thank goodness, I have this friend who works in this field and she coordinated our wedding from beginning till the end.

Shout out to Eunice Chan from Moments, who helped me like A LOT.

You will be really busy before and during the wedding.

The day before the wedding, you will need to meet your relatives, have to talk to them and all, so you wouldn't really have the time to settle whatever things that are not done yet.

Coordinator will handle all your vendors, your parents, family and relatives, and the flow on the day itself.

It's best if someone you are able to work with, or else it'll turn into quite a mess.

If you have a friend who is good at handling this, you can ask them to help too!

3. Choose your Bridesmaids, Wisely

Now, every bride's dilemma, is to choose her bridesmaids.
If don't invite this one, later that one beh song.
*shakes head*

The reason to have bridesmaids are for them to help you throughout this preparation to your wedding day.

If they don't help but only think for themselves, why ask them to be bridesmaids?

I've seen some of my friends having a hard time, because they were so kind to pay for their bridesmaids' dresses.

The bridesmaids weren't giving her such an easy time.

Because whatever dresses she chose, they would say no.

Now would you want your bridesmaids to make your life easier or difficult?

So, be wise. Learn to reject as well.

It's your day, not theirs!

My two bridesmaids are wonderful by the way!

Couldn't have done it without them.

Sometimes less is more.

4. Pinterest: Yay or Nay?

It's definitely good to search for ideas.
You can search literally anything there and they are so mesmerizing.
It's good to create boards for your wedding dresses, cakes, decorations, themes, bouquets, wedding cards,etc.
But be mindful, to not get carried away.
Meaning, don't expect your wedding to be 100% same as the ones in pinterest when you have a budget lower than RM 30k, for example.

I wanted many things as well for my wedding, but sometimes you just have to learn to let go.
Or else your budget will explode.

5. Decoration: Buy or DIY?

No doubt, most DIYs save you a lot of money.
But it is definitely time-consuming and might not be perfect.
On buying, what are you gonna do after the wedding on all the things you bought?
It's great to consider all the cost and see what works best.

Best to be if you could hire a decorator to gao dim everything for you so you wouldn't really need to worry.
They can get the arch, aisle, photo corner, photobooth, reception, corsages, bouquet, all done.
You wouldn't need to get your friends to help you take it down as well.

6. Theme

There's usually either a colour theme or different themes to a wedding.
Some wanted modern, or rustic, or forest, or oriental, etc.
It's best that you stick to the theme, rather than having second thoughts and kept on changing it.
If you change, you will need to change your decor, maybe your dress, your bouquet, etc.
It's a lot of hassle honestly. So just stick to it.

7. Photography / Videography

When it comes to photo, for me la, it must be really good.
I was looking at MunKeat, and was so overwhelm with his work but when I went and quote his price. Wooooo. Let's just forget about it. Haha.
So to scout for a photographer, best to ask around your friends whose married not too long ago.
Look at their work and check multiple of them.
Most of the very good photographers are now at least RM 4k and above, goes the same for videographers.
Another way of reducing cost would be getting the same photographers who shot your Pre-Wedding pictures.
Usually the studios also have service for actual day shooting but its best to choose photographer of your liking, of how they take the pictures.

We really liked our photographers, Alan and Calvin from Al Photo Production.
They were professional throughout the whole wedding day.
I was doing something and kept doing things while waiting for the grooms to arrive and Alan actually had to tell me to sit down and not do anything, to let people do it for me.
I was so used to serving people and it did not occur to me I was actually doing it during my wedding day. *laughs*
Thanks Alan!
They were also very cooperative with my coordinator and everyone.
Every shot was taken and they were quick on their feet when things didnt go as planned.
Thumbs up!

8. Make Up Artist

To choose a makeup artist is also like choosing a photographer.
You check their portfolio, how they did the makeup on different faces.
Ask on everything, are there any extra charges, etc.

Nowadays, everyone's going for soft natural look so do look out because some did heavily makeup, unless you prefer heavy makeup then it's a different case lah.
Another way to cut down on budget is also to hire the same makeup artist from the Pre-Wedding.
If you liked how she/he did during the pre-wed, you can just opt for the same person.

My make-up artist is Wenxy from WENXY • Xynderella Makeup Studio
She did it flawlessly.
Didn't even felt like my face was being brushed on.
Her smile was cheerful and she's a great person to chit chat to.
On time, and all her make up brushes are clean.
Definitely thumbs up for this woman!

9. Venue: Restaurant

For a venue, I think people either look at how beautiful the place is or how great the food is. It's difficult to get the best of both worlds.
We didn't have much of a choice because Ipoh itself, having restaurants with grand halls are quite limited. To my taste la.
We did it in Royal China Grand Ballroom (Tai Thong).
Looking at the name Tai Thong, of course one would know they are not too bad.
The ones in Klang Valley are quite well known.

We have got to say, the ballroom is spectacular. Ambiance was Wow!
The food was alright.
But the SERVICE... was DREADFUL.
It's reality where they just serve you because they wanna get your $$.
The food for the last table was not out yet, they already cleaned up the front tables, turn on the lights, chasing guests away.
HEBAT. *claps*
Would NEVER recommend a friend to have their wedding luncheon or dinner here.
Probably the ones in KL are much better than this lousy one in Ipoh.
There's a lot to say about this place but I think I would just waste the space on my blog. *pfffttt*
So to be on a safe side, probably the best way to know a restaurant's services is to ask friends and check reviews.

10. Buffet or Banquet?

Many couples nowadays would opt for a buffet or a travel holiday wedding.
But because of parents' request, it usually ends up doing a banquet.
The best way would be to give and take?
Have a buffet for friends after your morning ceremony and a banquet just for family and relatives.
After all, family and relatives give more to be able to cover the cost of your banquet.

11. Always Have your Fiancé be Involved

After all, it's both of you getting married, not one person right?
Although women would like how it is, would do all the necessary decision for weddings,
always remember to get your fiancé involve.
As the wedding is only one part, but marriage is a journey.

Here are some highlights from the wedding,
there's a lot of pictures so I've tried to cut down as much as possible to post it here!

Morning Ceremony