This is part 2 of the wedding countdown, you can read part 1 here.

The Guest List

Your first consideration, no matter how huge a family or circle of friends you have is, how much you have to spend. Think practical at this stage, like the number of people in your church, home or registrar’s office will hold. If your numbers are limited, divide your guests into those you want at the ceremony and those you could invite to the reception.

The Photography / Video Recording

You can’t do without both, but you can do without the video recording if you need to cut down your expenses. The best way to find a photographer is through personal recommendations, so check around My Malaysia Wedding for reviews from others.

• Decide on a style that you can discuss with your photographer.
• Do you want formal pictures / candid shots or both?
• Do you want black and white / coloured or both?
• Do you want to do studio shots before or after the wedding.
• Specify to your photographer the people you want pictures taken of, if any.

The Stationery

Here is your complete checklist of what you’ll need so you can shop for them or order them at one go:

• Wedding invites
• RSVP cards
• Envelopes
• Service sheet for a Christian ceremony
• Menu cards for the reception
• Place cards for formal reception
• Thank you cards for those who have helped out
• Thank you cards for guests for their presents

The Flowers

Check what flowers are in season. Out of season bloom can cost you a bomb. If you are in a money bind, then consider using more foliage and fewer flowers, or get a creative friend to make a bouquet up for you! Consider these:

• Colour of the theme for the wedding
• Size of hand bouquet for the bride
• Be sure that the flowers don’t stain the clothing
• To keep the flowers fresh, have them send to you as late as possible

The Cake

The wedding cake is not necessarily the grand centerpiece of the wedding feast, so don’t worry if you’re throwing out this option completely. You can have an eight tier cake with only one tier made of real cake for the cake-cutting ceremony. It’ll look just as lovely as the real thing and will only cost you a quarter of the price.

The Wheels

The mode of transportation constitutes arrival in style. Stepping out of a gleaming Rolls Royce or Mercedes isn’t as far a cry as you think if you start looking early for someone you can borrow the car for one day.

The Wedding Ceremony

Okay, let’s clear this up once and for all. Wedding ceremony does not equate wedding reception. Wedding ceremonies can be literally translated as the formal procedure (and the most important legally) where you exchange your vows. Religious ceremonies top our list with most wanting to walk down the aisle too. If you’re thinking of something more exotic like marrying on the beach, in a zoo, or on a cruise, it’s definitely do-able. Let your budget frame your desires, but the choice should ultimately be yours.

The Religious Ceremony

Let the people at your local place of worship sort matters out for you. You do need to speak to them months before, especially if it’s a popular temple or church that takes bookings years ahead. Don’t forget that you should also choose the minister / religious leader who conduct the exchange of vows.

The Civil Ceremony

It is possible to keep it simple and marry formally in a civil setting, be it the wedding registry or some place like a hotel or hall, but do be sure that your registrar is licensed and recognized. Alternatively contact the Registrar of Marriages Malaysia for more information at +603 7955 7255.

The Wedding Reception

If you’re having your ceremony at a religious place, then you can most probably throw your guests a luncheon right after in the same place – problem solved. If you’re not, I seriously recommend that once you’ve chosen a reception spot, that you book immediately as some hotels and halls take bookings as early as two years before. Don’t be surprise to find the five-star hotel of your choice is already fully booked for the dinner reception you were planning for even nine months down the road. And don’t fall for the first venue and sweet talking hotelier you come across. Consider the more important aspects like whether the venue can accommodate your guests, the cost of food per head etc.

Popular options are hotels, clubs and halls, but you do need to book way in advance. These places usually do packages with different price ranges to suit your budget. Consider if they provide you with options on dressing the main table or stage performances, menu, the time the reception can begin, serving staff, smoking / non-smoking areas, parking facilities, and a place to keep the wedding presents. If you’re looking to save money, then opt for a place where you can bring your own caterers. If it can accommodate your guests, your home would be ideal.

I will talk about the guest list, the photography, the stationery, the flowers and other issues in part 2 of the wedding countdown.