| The most difficult part of planning a wedding is | | | | suppliers is an important but time consuming job with |
| deciding where to start. All brides to be, and many | | | | many considerations. Above all, you will be looking for |
| grooms, will have imagined their big day as it might | | | | quality and availability but also you want the best |
| appear on the day, but very few have ever | | | | price to stay on budget. |
| considered in detail what they would need to do to | | | | For the uninitiated, this can be a difficult and stressful |
| make it happen. It's very easy to get caught up with | | | | job. You may find numerous suppliers but have |
| a vision of how you want your day to be, without | | | | difficulty choosing one, and prices can vary from one |
| realising just how much it's going to cost. And it's | | | | supplier to another without any clear reason why. |
| quite natural to begin planning and preparation for the | | | | Wedding planner Dominique Douglas advises: "Finding |
| parts of a wedding that are close to your heart, but | | | | suppliers is easy. Choosing the right one is more |
| ignore others. Finally, how do you ensure that things | | | | difficult. If you have the time I would recommend |
| go according to plan on the big day? | | | | selecting three companies from each area and |
| The three crucial stages of any wedding plan are the | | | | making appointments to meet them personally. Ask |
| budget, the preparation and coordination on the day. | | | | for a written quote, ensure that you get references |
| Knowing what the specific details of a wedding are, | | | | and make sure you follow these up. Finally, it's all |
| and where they fall in each of these three stages, is | | | | about chemistry - you should feel comfortable with |
| the first step towards creating your wedding. | | | | everyone that you hire to help you with your |
| Planning and organising a wedding event can be a big | | | | wedding. Trust your instincts." |
| job, no matter what your budget. I asked | | | | 3. Coordinating your Wedding Day |
| professional wedding planner Dominique Douglas for | | | | Enjoying your big day should mean not worrying |
| her advice on these three stages: | | | | about how everything is going to fall into place. By |
| 1. The Wedding Budget | | | | this point most couples have delegated control to a |
| So where do you start? Dominique says "Most brides | | | | friend or relative and hope that all their plans and |
| have a clear vision of their day, but setting a budget | | | | preparations fall into place. But frequently this friend |
| is often the last thing they want to think about. | | | | or relative is also a part of the day's proceedings. |
| Actually your budget is the first thing you need to | | | | Having a wedding planner at hand who is entirely |
| do, before the venue, the dress, and the flowers. | | | | focused on the smooth running of your day cannot |
| Set your budget and then stick to it. Think about | | | | be underestimated. Dominique says: "A good wedding |
| what kind of day you want and put the two | | | | planner provides their clients with a calming, organised |
| together. My philosophy is to have the best wedding | | | | and caring influence in their lives during what can be a |
| you can afford". | | | | very tense time." |
| Budget and vision go hand in hand. A professional | | | | Whether you are planning your own wedding or |
| wedding planner will be able to create a budget for | | | | considering hiring a wedding planner the first thing |
| your vision - without leaving anything out, or | | | | you should do is get advice from recently married |
| overlooking hidden costs. Knowing in advance how | | | | couples and read as many magazine articles as you |
| much your wedding is going to cost and where | | | | can on the subject. But remember, this is your day |
| money needs to be spent is essential for reducing | | | | and you only get one chance to get it right! You may |
| stress and allowing you to enjoy yourself. | | | | be working to a tight budget but take into |
| 2. Preparing for your wedding | | | | consideration all products and services that are |
| Preparation is all about suppliers, whether it's flowers, | | | | available to you and ask yourself if you can afford |
| caterers, dresses or limousines: selecting your | | | | not to have them! |