Reserve or Buy Tuxedos and Suit

At this point of wedding organization, the male attire will need to be planned. Decide on what type of formal wear is wanted, whether it is tuxedos, black tie or suits. What type of formal wear is chosen will depend on the type of wedding celebration. It may be a very formal, classic reception where a tuxedo is best suited or a relaxed buffet party reception where a smart suit is well suited. To tie in with a theme, the male attire may have a certain color for the cummerbund, bowtie or corsage.

It does take some time to pick out the best outfit from the many styles, fittings and colors. These outfits can be rented or bought depending on the budget.

Clothes Hire - Men’s Listings Clothes Shops - Men’s Listings Fashion Designers Listings Dressmakers Listings Shoe Shops Listings Jewellers Listings

Pick the Wedding Cake

The wedding cake is the centre piece of the decor and theme of the wedding venue and provides a popular photo scene. It needs to therefore tie in with the theme and colors of the wedding. The cake will need to be ordered up to 6 months in advance in order to give enough time for it to be made a decorated accordingly.

There are bakeries which specialize in wedding cakes and decoration. To get the wedding cake right, go to the baker and talk about what you want, from the design, filling and icing. A good bakery should provide samples to taste.

The amount set aside for the cake depends on how many guests are expected as the price will depends on the size of the cake as well as the design and type of cake. Some bakeries will charge for delivery and may expect a deposit.

Find the Wedding Rings

The hunt for wedding rings should start up to 6 months in advance to allow for sufficient time to shop around and put orders through ready for the big day.

A wedding ring is a highly symbolic and is a piece of jewelry which will endure a lifetime. It is advisable to buy from a jeweler which specializes in wedding rings as there will be a better selection.

Wedding and engagement rings can be bought as sets, but if this is not the case then a wedding ring should be chosen to complement the engagement ring.

The ring should be made from a durable material such as gold and silver, with platinum growing in popularity in recent years. The rings can be sized professionally by jewelers so they are the perfect size.

Get the Bridesmaids’ Dresses

By this point in time, the bride’s dress should be picked out and ordered so the bridesmaids’ dresses can be organized. The bridesmaids’ dresses can go together with the bride’s dress by being a simplified version, or they can be contrasting by being completely different. This will depend on the style and theme of the wedding.

Buy the Bridal Jewelry and Accessories

Shop around for the shoes, gloves and additional accessories for the wedding. Try the dress with shoes and accessories to make sure they all go together.

Register for Wedding Gifts

Wedding gifts were traditionally a way for friends and family to help newlyweds set up their new home.
Many retailers offer a registry service for your wedding gifts. Remember that the wedding gifts do not have to come from one place. Today, registrations can be done online as well as in-store, making it easy for guests who are far away to give the gifts.

Plan the Honeymoon

The honeymoon should be one of the best holidays you experience, so it is worth allocating a portion of your budget towards this. Decide together on what type of honeymoon is desired.
It could be a relaxing break, lying on a tropical beach in the sun. Goa attracts many tourists for its beaches and has a unique, alternative atmosphere where east meets west. More mainstream locations include the Caribbean or Hawaii. Australia offers much more than just beautiful beaches with many water activities such as surfing and snorkeling amid the tropical reefs.

A more active holiday may be preferred such as skiing. Hitting the slopes of the Alps or the Rockies may bestow an exciting experience.

For an unconventional trip with variety, consider a city break. It could be the lights of Las Vegas with its infamous casinos shows and nightlife. The hustle and bustle of Cairo’s bazaars may appeal for those wanting to see one of the great wonders of the world.

Or for something completely in a league of its own, an African safari will offer an interesting and unforgettable experience.

If your budget can not accommodate exotic locations, do not rule out European destinations. Booking your honeymoon in Spain, Greece, Dublin or even the capital of romance Paris can be just as memorable as a far away location.

Once the honeymoon location has been decided, check if any visas or inoculations are needed.

Choosing the Caterer

This is worth noting when looking for a venue as many offer catering and may not allow outside catering. Some venues may recommend a particular caterer. It is therefore important to inquire about catering policies when searching for a venue.

The quality of the food is more important than the venue so it is better to change if the food is not up to standard.

If the venue allows outside catering then you have the opportunity to shop around and choose the best one. When at events with agreeable food, enquire about the company doing the catering as well as getting recommendations from friends and family.

Organise a tasting session with caterers and rate the quality of the food. Most caterers will be happy to alter food or prepare food which is not on their menu.
Be sure to discuss the costs and sick within your budget. You may want to consider a buffet to reduce costs.

Wedding Caterers Listings Catering Equipment Hire

Organise the Entertainment

It is important to choose a good band or DJ with experience of performing for events and can provide a good vibe for the party and fit in with the ambiance. Choosing to have a DJ will typically cost less than a live band.
A DJ would be able to provide a more flexible service with music throughout the wedding party. Live bands generally play a set of about 15 minutes with breaks in between. It is important to contemplate which type of entertainment would work best for your wedding. It is advisable to watch the band or DJ perform and find reviews before you decide. Look into DJ’s or bands who have performed at the wedding of friends and family.

Interview potential candidates and try and get videos of them performing. Be clear about the details of the wedding and when and where you want them to perform.

Make sure a contract is signed for the band or DJ which is decided upon. The contract should clearly state the names of who will be performing at the wedding. This is important as occasionally DJ’s may sell the right to perform to another DJ, or give the job to a trainee who works with them.

Once you have confirmed the entertainment, you will have to think about the selection to be played. Most bands have a particular list of what they are able to play, whereas a DJ will have a much wider selection of music.

Band Hire Listings

Order Wedding Invitations

Invitations can be personalized to suit the style and theme of a particular wedding. They can be designed to be traditional, sophisticated or colourful and exotic or convey the personality of the couple. Invitations are available in almost every style and colour and can even include photographs to turn them into mementos.

The wedding invitations are the first association many guests will have with the wedding in question, so it is important that it sets the mood. Ensure the essential details are clear amongst the design of the invitation.

Essential Information checklist:
· Names of Bride and Groom
· Date and Time of Events
· Address of Wedding
· Contact Information
· RSVP Address / Telephone Number
· Wedding Gift Details

Wedding Stationary & Cards Listings

Book the Wedding Photographer

Choosing a good photographer is important as the end result should provide lasting memories of a happy event. There are different styles of wedding photographs offered the most common being the traditional style with posed group pictures. The reportage style, however, captures moments as they happen naturally. Some photographers have a personal style which can be fun and different.

Review the portfolios of photographers with different styles so the style of photography can be decided on. Once the style has been decided on it is easier to find a good quality photographer within your price range.

Wedding Photographers Listings

Book the Wedding Videographer

Choosing to have a videographer is surprisingly reasonable as there is good quality, inexpensive equipment. Expect a good videographer to be using a digital camera alongside a digital editor to transfer the special day onto DVD or VCD. These can be sent out to friends and relatives as gifts.

As with choosing a photographer it is worth shopping around and researching portfolios so a good videographer can be selected.

The cost is a key factor when deciding on a videographer, but be wary if the price is too low as it may indicate a novice who is trying to break into the market.

Make a note of the equipment being used, it should be a modern digital piece of technology, not an old, outdated VHS cameras. Today’s standard is a 3 chip digital DV camera which provides enhanced images compared to older cameras. The digital format can be edited easily with the compatible software.

Be clear about what you want from your videographer. Many will offer packages, some which can be customized to match your needs.

Talk to the person who is actually going to shoot the wedding and make sure they understand what you want. Do not hire them if you feel uncomfortable with them in any way.

Wedding Videographers Listings

Choose the Key People

In western wedding tradition, this refers to the best man or the matron of honor. In different cultures there will still need to be people to fill key roles for the wedding. Now is the time to choose the people for these key roles. This can be a difficult task as it is important to choose people who can handle the responsibility which the roles carry and at the same time not offend those who you have not chosen. Do not be offended if people decline the roles as they may not want the extra work.

Wedding Traditions

Find the Wedding Dress

Having the perfect wedding dress is important as the bride is the centre of attention on the big day. There is a huge variety of colours and styles available to suit any type of wedding. Searching for a dress can be time consuming, made even more difficult by the busy schedule many women have 10 months before their wedding. It can take up to four months for the dress to be ordered and delivered, not to mention the many fittings to guarantee the dress fits perfectly. This is defiantly a task which should not be stressed over or rushed.

Many brides-to-be have an idea of the type of wedding dress they want, but it is worth keeping an open mind and trying different styles and colours.

It is conventional for the bride-to-be to take a few trusted friends with her for opinions. Be sure to take people who will give you an honest opinion and with trustworthy judgment. Once the perfect dress has been found, it is not worth risking loosing it by mulling over the decision. The bride should trust her instinct and go with the dress she knows is perfect.

Clothes Hire - Ladies Listings Clothes Shops - Ladies Listings Fashion Designers Listings Hat Shops & Milliners Dressmakers Listings Shoe Shops Listings Jewellers Listings

Planning 1 Year Ahead

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process with so much to organize and oversee. The average time for planning between the engagement and the wedding is 12-18 months. It is highly advisable to plan and book well in advance.

Know Your Wedding Budget

The expenses for a wedding can grow to be astronomical, so it is important to set a budget based on how much you can afford. This will indicate what type of wedding can be afforded and the planning can then begin. It is vital to talk about the type of ceremony wanted by the groom as well as the bride, and list the expenses for your wedding so the budget can be allocated accordingly. Be prepared to compromise, like inviting fewer guests for a more classy ceremony so you do not end up in substantial debt.
Leave a portion of the budget unspent to cover any unforeseen expenses. It is advisable to open a separate bank account for the wedding, so any contributions can be input and all expenses can be paid out of this account.
If family members are willing to contribute, it is important to communicate clearly about how much they are willing to provide. Do not make unrealistic demands on how much you want from people. Remember it takes good communication and a level of tact when dealing with money. There are a number of budgeting and planning software available which may facilitate planning the wedding.

Wedding Insurance

It is wise to insure against accidental and unanticipated events. There are a number of packages from many insurance companies which can be chosen from.

Set The Wedding Date

Begin by setting the date for the wedding so time off from work can be booked well in advance.
Have a plan of all the events such as pre-wedding dinners, the honeymoon, stag/hen parties etc.
The availability and costs of the date need to be considered. You may wish to set a provisional date to ensure certain guests can attend. Birthdays, holidays and family events may coincide with provisional dates and prevent key people from attending.

Booking a wedding at certain times of the year has premium costs for services such as photographers, venue hire and transportation. If booking during these premium months of May to August be aware of availability issues and book well in advance. Saturdays are the most prevalent day to book a wedding and therefore the most expensive, followed by Fridays and Sundays. Booking a wedding at the weekend is convenient for guests, but at a higher cost.
Booking during the slower months can help to keep costs down and make it easier to find good services as there is higher competition for your business. Costs can be cut further by having a buffet and buying alcohol separately.

Create the Wedding Guest List

The guest list is influenced by the location, dates, budget and family members. By this point the type of the wedding celebration should be decided upon so the size of the guest list is known. There may be a cap of no more than 100 guests.
When writing the guest list be sure to again communicate with both sides of the family, as one side may want to invite more guests than the other. There may be clashes concerning financial contributions and the guest list. One party may feel they want to invite more family as they are contributing more towards the wedding. The wishes of both families need to be valued.

‘Save the Date’ cards are an option that has increased in popularity in recent years. These are little cards which are typically sent out about a year before the wedding so guests can mark the date in their dairies.
‘Set the Date’ cards work particularly well if invites are going to be sent out to people living abroad so they can plan and book flights and accommodation in advance.

Search for a Venue

Once the guest list has been decided upon the search for the reception venue can begin. The right venue can make the reception a memorable event for all the right reasons, so start searching for the venue well in advance so the perfect one can be found.
Be sure that the venue can accommodate the number of guests you wish to invite, with enough seating space and large enough dance area. Some guests may require disabled facilities, so be sure these are available. Car parking space is also an issue which needs to be taken in to consideration.

When looking at wedding venues ask about any rules or regulations which need to be adhered to such as noise levels and closing times. Some venues have their own suppliers and may not be happy with other companies.

Marriage Registration Listings Places of Worship Listings Boat Hire Listings Hotel Listings Restaurant Listings Banqueting Room Listings Halls Listings Marquee & Tent Hire Listings Special Wedding Venues Listings

In this blog we will try to explain and clarify common misconceptions about Indian Weddings traditions, various cultural terminologies used and some beautiful tips and ideas to organize your wedding the Indian Way!

Wedding Nikah

Also known as Nikaah, the Muslim ceremony is often celebrated with the signature splendour which is customary for Indo-Asian weddings. Witnesses and religious counselors are invited from both parties Bride and the Groom to complete this event.The wedding ceremony or Nikaah often takes place in a banqueting hall with close friends and family to witness the event. During this ceremony, a legal contract known as Nikaahnama is signed by the bride, groom and key people.

Wedding Mehendi

The celebrations often start with the Mehndi ceremony, where the bride to be has henna put on her hands and feet is a decorative pattern. The guests are all close female friends and relatives. The celebrations usually carry into the night with songs and dances performed by guests.

Wedding Baraat

he actual wedding starts with the musical ceremony known as the Baraat to announce the arrival of the groom.The newly weds get their first chance to sit together during the Prayers and Aarsimashaf. Their heads are covered with a nuptial duputta and prayers are read. During this ritual, a copy of the Quran is placed between the bride and groom and the couple are only allowed to look at each other through mirrors.

Wedding Pranks

It is common practice for girls on the brides side to play pranks on the grooms side during parts of the ceremony.

Wedding Rukhsati

The event of Bride leaving the marriage place usually a banquet or a hall with her husband is called rukhsati.The wedding ceremony ends tearfully with the bride leaving her parental house with her husband in a tradition known as Rukshat. The bride is then welcomed into the groom’s parental home by her mother in-law who holds the Quran over her head as she enters the threshold.

Wedding Valima

The Valimah is a welcoming party thrown by the groom’s side. Intended as a gesture to welcome the bride into the family.

Popular and commonly practiced Hindu Wedding Traditions and Ritiuals

[Show as slideshow]

The Hindu religion comes from across a number of regions, each with cultural variations to wedding ceremonies. There are, however, fundamental similarities in all Hindu weddings.
The purpose of the Hindu wedding is to perform the dharma, obligations to society and family, prajana, which is to bring children into the world and shradh which refers to the rituals.

Misri for Indian Wedding

Also known as the sugar ceremony, this is an engagement ceremony in which the blessings of Lord Ganesha are prayed for. Seven married women represent the seven forms of God and make Ganesha symbol on a pot of sugar. The Ganesha symbol looks similar to a swastika, but in a clockwise direction.

Prayer known as a puja is carried out by the couple and their parents to complete the request for blessings.
The families of the bride and the groom exchange garlands of flowers, rings, fruit and gifts. As the fourth finger is considered to have a direct link to the heart, the rings are placed on these fingers. These are placed on the right hand of the groom and the left hand of the bride.

Indian Wedding Sangeet

This is a pre wedding party with food and music for friends and family. The bride and groom may have individual sangeets or a combined large celebration.

Nav Graha Puja for Wedding

This is a puja which takes place days before the wedding to ask for blessings from the Gods which govern the planets. This is considered important as astrology has been an important influence throughout the history of the Hindu religion.

Wedding Sagri

This is a ceremony for the females from the grooms family to get to know the bride by visiting her with gifts.

Wedding Mehndi

This is the henna party where the bride and some of the guests have their hands and feet painted with henna paste. The henna stains the hands with the patterns which are painted on and is considered lucky and an illustration of the strength of love in the imminent marriage.

Ghari Puja for Wedding

This is a religious ceremony which takes place the night before the wedding in the bride and groom’s home. The ceremony represents the couple leaving their old life and embarking on their new life together.
The Pithi is usually performed at this point, which is a beautification ritual. The bride and groom are washed with a tumeric paste.

Wedding Bharaat

On the morning of the wedding, the groom leaves his home for the wedding traditionally mounted on a white horse with his family and friends around him. When they arrive, they are greeted by the brides family who shower them with rose water and petals.

Wedding Swagatum

To welcome the goom to the wedding, the mother places a red dot, known as a tikka, on his forehead. A pot filled with yogurt, honey, seeds and ghee is placed on the ground for the groom to step on in order to close the ceremony.

The actual wedding ceremony itself takes place in a mandap, a canopy, with a sacred fire burning inside it. A series of rituals to signify the union of the couple, complete the wedding ceremony.

Madhuparka

– the groom’s right foot is washed by the father of the bride.

Sankalp

– Holy mantras are chanted and the bride’s parents pledge their blessings. It symbolizes them givining their daughter away.

Kanya-agaman

– the bride enterers, usually led by a maternal uncle to the mandap. The groom is shielded and is unable to see his bride until he expresses his acceptance of her to the pundit. The couple then sit together with the groom on the left.

Pad-Pakshalan

– The brides parents wash the feet of the couple with milk and water and then connect the couple together with a length of raw cotton and threads. This is later tied together by the pundit to reinforce their bond as husband and wife.

Hasta-melap

– the brides right hand is placed in the grooms right hand as traditionally the brides parents are giving her away to the groom.

Agni Puja

– a sacred fire is lit by the pundit in a copper bowl

Shilarohana

– the bride puts her foot on a stone to correspond with the vows they take to be strong as a couple throughout married life.

Laja homa

– rice is placed in the sacred fire while the bride prays for her husband to have a long life, prosper and to be happy.

Mangalfera

– the couple walk around the fire four times. The groom will lead the bride three times to represent duty, karma and wealth, and the bride will lead the round representing salvation.

Saptapadi

– these are the seven symbolic steps the couple will walk around the fire to remain life-long partners and friends. Oaths are taken in the presence of the guests to unite the couple as husband and wife.

Pradakshina

– the couple circle the fire three more times with a further prayer.

Saubhagya Chinha

– the bride is blessed by the groom by him placing vermilion powder on her forehead and giving her a wedding necklace known as a Mangal Sutra.

Haridaya-Sparsha

– the couple place their hands over each others hearts while stating vows. They are then blessed by the pundit to complete the wedding ceremony.

Chathurthi Karma

The couple feed each other four times to represent the development of their skin, muscle, bone and soul.

Blessed flower petals and rice are thrown over the couple by guests at the end of the ceremony like confetti. As the couple leaves the farewell to the bride is a moving moment as she is leaving her family to build a new life with her husband and his family.
A coconut is positioned under a wheel of the wedding car, so it can be broken on its departure. This was done in the past to ensure the vehicle which was transporting the newlyweds was roadworthy.

There are post wedding ceremonies which take place to welcome the bride into the family. Salt is used in the ritual of Datar to symbolize her entering the family as it can blend well into any food.

Hindu brides customarily wear heavily embroidered red and white saris. The red implies fertility and the white the innocence and purity of the bride. It is common for the bride to change during the wedding from a modest sari from her family to a more heavy sari from the groom’s family.
The Groom usually wears white or cream traditional outfit which may be embroidered with gold thread. Some north Indian Hindu grooms wear a turban with strings of flowers hiding his face from view. This is to protect him from the evil eye of on-lookers.