Category Archives: Wedding

Wedding Planning – Section Two

11 Friday Mar 2011

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Budget, Budget ! B-U-D-G-E-T = $$$$

How I hate this word… Every time I see something I like and is very excited about, hubs will ask, how much and when we did the math, i have to grudgingly throw the idea away… sob sob.

But, like all things in life, budgeting is very important (especially for us normal folks). It is to ensure that you make your decision wisely and not let things get carried away. For some couple, you might have been saving for some time before the wedding. For some, they might have to break open their entire piggy bank to organise this lavish affair. There are some couple who went into debt right after their wedding.. and 5 years down the road, they are still in debt. Is it worth it in the end?

Some couple have huge fights over this stage and sometimes, if not carefully handled, there would be no wedding.

As unromantic as the word is, budget is also the determinant factor of your marriage life later. Under budget, and you will feel remorse and always wished you had splurge a little more. Over budget, and you will end up struggling on your daily married life (bills to pay, mortgage, daily expenses, loans and etc).

How do we start?

First, both couple will need to sat together to decide the amount which you could comfortable throw-in. After that, check with parents if they could sponsor / chip-in. It could be in form of cash / picking up tab for certain items. If you have generous siblings, ask if they could also sponsor you. ;p

Once you work out your maximum limit. The next thing is to STICK to it.

I divided my Budget into the following sections

1)     Apparel

  • Wedding & Evening Dress
  • Bridal Shoes
  • Accessories
  • Groom’s suit
  • Bridal Party ensemble
  • ** Lingerie 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2)     Photography / Video-graphy

  • Pre-wedding photos
  • Photo Album
  • Photo portraits / frame
  • Actual day photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3)     Flowers

  • Bride’s bouquet
  • Groom’s Boutonnière
  • Bridal party’s bouquet
  • Corsages for special guest (parents and etc.)
  • Venue Decoration
  • Car Deco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)     Ceremony / Reception

  • Venue Cost
  • Caterer
  • Liquor
  • Sound system
  • Security
  • Entertainment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)     Misc

  • Facial
  • Manicure & Pedicure
  • Make-up Artist
  • Favours for guest
  • Transportation
  • Wedding Cake
  • Wedding Invitation Stationary
  • Honeymoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just some basic breakdown from my budget… Every couple have different priority when it comes to their wedding. For Chulet, it was the dress, make-up artist and photography. Hence, once I decided on the amount needed to spend for these, I use the balance for other things.

Did I manage to stick with my budget? YES – I did !! (yay !! hehehee..)

Happy budgeting to all newly engaged out there.

Hugz..

Wedding Planning – Section One

09 Wednesday Mar 2011

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Continuing from my previous post, section one explores a little deeper about what you should do after he / she proposed.

Chulet and hub know each other as friends for many years before developing tender feelings for one another. It was a surprise to us as well many of our friends. ;p

Chulet remember how one friend was so shock when seeing us holding hand for the first time.. hehee.  So, like many couples out there who have been dating or friends for a long time, you think you know the other person very well. And yet, we hear so many sad story about marriage breaking down after. Why?

Chulet is no relationship expert but some her little observation, people change. Couples didn’t grow at the same pace or individual goals / objective in life changed. In this case, how do we know if the person you are dating is the person you will want to have the till-death-to-us part package?

Initial stage of relationship is always sweet and each person will always put on their best behaviour. The girl will ensure she’s always well dressed, gentle, sweet and ‘allowing the guy to have as much space’ as he wants. The guy will open doors, remember special dates (even one month anniversary), birthday, flowers, chocolates, movies.. and etc. ;p

But, it will be DIFFERENT after marriage.

It is then, that both of you come down from cloud 9 and get to know the REAL-DEAL of each other.

Some nasty habits like letting out fart will starts surfacing. (I’ve check with many married couples.. it happens… hahaha.. so, don’t deny it) When you are able to do that in front of the other person, it does show a comfortable and stable relationship. Disgusting as it is, Chulet thinks it is kind of one of the measurable gauge on how close the 2 of you are with each other. ;p

So, guy / girls… please know that YES – your bf / gf do Fart !! and sometimes – it can be the NASTY-silent-killer type. ;p

Will you be able to laugh it off? Will you be able to still hug each other and bear it? 😉

When Chulet and her hubs thought of getting married, many questions start forming in our head. After some research and much discussion, we decided to ‘invest’ in our relationship.

We spend long hours goggling, talking to friends and family. Finally, we decided to join a marriage preparation course ran by a group of passionate people to help build solid and strong foundation for marriages in Malaysia. Chulet will not go into details about the course here.. but readers can check it out here

http://www.relationshipcentral.org.my/marriage-preparation-course

Both of us learn a lot of things about each other which we would have otherwise not discussed during the courting stage. At least we know the real-deal about each other before taking the walk down the aisle.

So, how well do you think you are ready to settle down? Remember, wedding is just an event. When it is done and over with, are you truly ready to spend the rest of your life with your chosen partner?

If your answer is yes, congratulations…

If it is not, maybe it might be better to give each other more time, to continue the courtship and get to know each other better. J

Till the next post…

Wedding Planning

02 Wednesday Mar 2011

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Chulet wanted to write and share her experience about wedding planning. However, never got around to it… until now. :p

She’s officially happily married now. Hubby is safely trapped in her spiderly web. MUAHAHA… and he have no where to escape… Hehehe…

Chulet’s very lucky as hub is a great sweet kind lovable guy. Ok ok … enough about the gushing. Back to serious business.

So, what about wedding planning?

I’ll try to split this into a basic summary page and then, will write more about each stage later… Bear in mind… this is MY own experience and is no way a professional guide. Remember, it is your wedding after all… Wedding planning is FUN.

Marriage on the other hand… is another subject all together.

I opt to keep this post strictly on Wedding planning. Let’s begin… (I’ve separate it to 6 sections)

What do you do after he proposes?

One

You need to answer him… YES or NO !!

This may seem silly, but, seriously this question is really tough. Don’t let ‘the moment’ blind you. IF he took the effort and courage to ask, you (female) need to think if this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. (Imagine waking up to see the same guy everyday till death do you part)

If you say NO – you need not read further. I applaud you for your bravery and pray you’ll find someone who you can really love. J

Proceed if you say YES

Two

Decide on your budget and prepare check-list.

Pull in all your resources (your parents / his parents)

** Allow yourself some room to tolerate +/- 10% (remember, to keep it real and prioritize)

Three

Decide on a DATE(s).

–        Date you to officially seal your marriage (registrar of your country)

–        Date for all the dowry giving / gift exchange (for some customs)

–        Date for the morning bride collecting (mainly Chinese custom)

–        Date for ‘THE’ dinner / Reception

For Chinese custom, there might be need to seek a specialist in giving good dates which match the bride & groom’s birthdates.

Four

Confirm your booking for those which you need it on that day. Meaning, you cannot change it to another day and you need that person there.

Venues

Photographer (Actual Day)

Make-up Artist

Religious officer

Five

Additional frills which you would like to throw in to make it SPECIAL

Wedding Rings

Wedding dress / evening gown / Bridal party attire

Pre-wedding Photograph / Bridal House

Custom made wedding invitation card (Not the mass production type)

Venue Decoration

Flowers

Favours for guest

Wedding Cake

Entertainment

Caterer (if the venue doesn’t provide food)

Liquor (if you plan to serve)

Six

Guest list

Appoint suitable person for roles / responsibility on the day

Pampering Session (me, me and me time)

Honeymoon

 

After several months of planning, the wedding day comes and goes… And, another chapter of your life begins… and this time, it has no deadline / expiry date. I would like to introduce you to marriage.

Happy planning.