10 Things To Plan After Engagement

Just Engaged?

FROM the minute you’re engaged to the moment you say “I do”, any bride or bridegroom-to-be will face the daunting task of planning for that big day.

Needless to say, you’ll want the wedding to be perfect and, mos

t importantly, the brides will want to look beautiful on this special day.

Top 10 things to plan

Venue

There are many places to hold ones special day in Malaysia. You will be spoilt for choices from the many locations and packages such as beach weddings, highland weddings, garden weddings or even traditional/ ceremonial weddings. Even for venues save from the clutches of the weather you could choose from hosting it on a yacht, in a penthouse/ suite in a luxurious hotels/ resorts or even in a ferries wheel in Titiwangsa. A wedding can be either formal or informal. The more formal the ceremony, the more intricate the planning usually is. Decide early in the process and plan accordingly. Make the reservation early to avoid disappointment. (Important tips: Malaysia is a tropical country. Do take into consideration the time of the year the wedding will be held, especially if it’s an outdoor wedding.) The weather conditions could pose a possible threat to your Big Day. You wouldn’t want your guest to be running for shelter as you are halfway through exchanging your vows! Or to be half-cooked under the scorching sun!

What caterer to pick?

(if the venue does not provide catering services)
Malaysia is multi-racial country, so let your taste buds run wild with the extensive selection of local cuisine. From delicious starters to desserts, you can savour from a variety of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, Western, Fusion and the lists goes on. Whether you opt for a cocktail reception, a buffet or a sit down 8 to 10 course banquet dinner, it all depends on your budget and the number of guests you are inviting.

Wedding invitations

Planning the guest lists can be very challenging and stressful if you do not have a head start. With our Asian culture, the guest lists run into thousands because the parents and parents-in-law want to invite the whole town to the wedding. Once you’ve finalised on the venue, take into consideration the capacity of the place and the number of guests it can accommodate. It can be a very sensitive topic to decide who’s invited and who’s not. If you have too big a crowd, you might want to consider two sittings, one for a cocktail or buffet luncheon after the wedding ceremony and probably the other for the dinner reception. Remember to send out the invitations early and include a map to prevent guests from getting lost.

Flowers and décor

The thought of being surrounded by a garden of flowers sounds heavenly. If you are faced with budget realities do consider domestically grown flowers or rent potted plants from your local nurseries. To create your wedding theme, you could incorporate ribbons, laces, beads, balloons, candles, streamers or even sea-shells. All you need is a little imagination and a touch of faith! We’re talking about do-it yourself decorations. Rope in your families and friends to help. Get your decorations done the day before the wedding so you don’t have any 11th hour stress.

Wedding songs & music

Music sets the mood of your wedding style and the coming celebration. There are several key pieces of the ceremony and reception that call for musical accompaniment. Research and find the perfect song for every moment of your wedding and make sure it’s appropriate. You certainly don’t want to kill the mood with a mismatch of music to the ceremony. Don’t ever allow a bad choice of music to spoil the ambiance that you’ve spent so much time to create.

Bridal wear/ Evening wear

A wedding gown can be rented or bought off the rack from bridal shops. If budget permits, nothing is more pleasurable than having the most important dress in your life especially custom-made by a fashion designer. Before you choose the silhouette of your gown, you need to know yourself first. No doubt the silhouette sets the mood of your gown but you have to look good in it. Don’t feel obliged to sign on a package on the spot with the bridal studio just because you’ve tried on their gowns. The rule of thumb is to shop around so you can compare other bridal packages and not regret later.

Make-up artist / Hair Stylist

Finding the right professional makeup artist can be time-consuming, and the services costly. It’s good to fix an appointment for consultation to test your hairdo and makeup before the wedding takes place. You do not want to wait until the morning of the event to decide how you want to look. A consultation will give you time to try out different looks before deciding on your favorite, as well as match your hairstyle to your veil. You can bring along printouts of hairstyles and makeup looks that appeal to you, so your stylist has some direction. If you’re not completely in love with the way you look, return for another consultation until you get it right.

Photographer / Videography

Decide how important your wedding pictures and video are to you, and budget accordingly. You would want to capture all the beautiful and special moments on that special day and make the memories last long after the Big Day. Photography packages can vary greatly depending on the photographer skills and experience so shop around to find a quality photographer who is within your budget. It’s important to interview the photographers and look at their portfolio to ascertain the style that you want.

Live band / Emcee / Entertainer

A live band adds a touch of class and can liven up the crowd and send an upbeat vibe. If you have specific songs that you want to hear on your wedding day, be sure to make your requests known beforehand. Sit down with your band and explain the style of your wedding, your ideal genre, and any specific songs that you want played.

Wedding favours / Thank you gifts

Giving your guests a memento, or favour, on your wedding day has been a long-standing custom. It’s a gesture to thank them for sharing the special occasion. There are a variety of favours in the market. However if you would like to make your own, you can get the materials from your local art and craft shops.