Planning a Wedding? Bookmark These Do’s and Don’ts and Guarantee Yourself an Unforgettable Wedding Celebration

Planning a wedding ceremony? Sweat it now, think it through and we ensure you that it will closely resemble the dream you're chasing after! The Wedding planning process is a biggie - with scales and coordination which can shame any Delhi or Mumbai exec to another plane. Officewalahs - this is hard work. It has it all - budgeting, financing, lead generation, calls on calls, recce trips, fitting sessions, seating, remembering gifts and guests with deft ease. And still managing to look ten million bucks after it all!

Your wedding is going to be the biggest day of your life! Work with efficient Wedding checklists and software. But before you get into the midst of it all, take it in. Breathe and take out some time, effort and patience to deal with these Wedding Planning Do's and Don'ts. And we assure you that your wedding would be a roaring success. Planning a wedding is a tedious task and for a couple who has a plethora of things to keep in mind and take care of - planning a wedding could be an overwhelming task. Therefore, we have curated for you planning a wedding guide from a listicle of things that you must follow and a listicle of things you must avoid at all times. So, read on and plan the wedding that will outlive all others for ages to come.

Planning a Wedding Do's:

Here are the top 5 Wedding Planning Do's which can make your wedding day and all the other epic days leading up to your big day a roaring success! Planning a wedding was never this simple.

1. Discuss and decide

What: Scale of Marriage, Type of Ceremonies, Wedding Festivities, Photoshoots

How: Stay Connected

With Whom: Your Partner!

You decided on an 'I Do' with him/her. Gear up for your first test. Your partner is your balance wheel when it comes to planning for your wedding. They have their own dreams, aspirations and expectations on what they want their Wedding Day to be. Listen up! This also lets you get an insight into their ideas and personality. And that's helpful in getting the kind of memories both of you would cherish in the years to come!

Planning a wedding is the first real test that you two will have to pass together, as a single unit. When you have to keep both sides of the families happy. And when there are so many people involved in the union, it is paramount that you keep everyone happy.

It might be a case of perfect synchronisation! Or a case of opposites colliding! You may be the Band Baaja Bride, talking to a person who wants a Court Shaadi. Or vice versa. Talk it through and move around these pieces deftly. Who knows - it could also end up becoming a classic idea behind your pre-wedding photo shoot!

What: Religious Traditions, Ceremonies, Gifts 

How: Open-table discussions, cross-talks and repeat discussions

With Whom: Bride's Family and Groom's Family (Parents, Siblings and Respected Elders)

Hi Chalk - Meet Cheese! Khandaan meets Parivaar can go in different directions, even for families coming from the same city, town, economic setting, class and social background. Why? Because each family has its own set of traditions, beliefs, religious and regional sentimentalities, which emerge at the time of an Indian Wedding. And these can be things to build foundations on. Or cause discomforts too.

So, how do you marry religious traditions and the list of wedding ceremonies you intend to hold for your nuptials? Discuss and Decide which preferences can be included at what time to create this perfect ceremony, where no one would feel left out, disappointed or complain. And match these with your partner's wants too.

2. Do Your Research Thoroughly: Because It is Important

What: Caterers, Wedding Invitations, Entertainment, Decor, Florists, Wedding Outfits, Mehendi Artists, Salons, Wedding Photographers

How: Online, Offline, Apps Which Offer Vendor Reviews, Recommendations

With Whom: Break it up with your partner, Family and Friends

Everyone wants to have a perfect wedding but no one realises the effort and research that is actually needed to plan it piece-by-piece. (In fact, even organising a Mehndi ceremony is huge!) Go through all the recent weddings that you were totally impressed by, collect all the names and details of the services: photographers, florists, wedding planners... Get as much information as you can to find the ones most suited for your wedding budget and style.

3. Choose The Right Venue

What: Decide Venues for All Functions

How: Research and Fact Check Against Budget, Season, No. of Guests, Food and Your Own Ideas for Ideal Wedding

With Whom: Partner, Family, Friends, Wedding Planner

After deciding the wedding date, the next step is to decide a venue. In India, during the wedding season, there is a mad rush to get the best location. If you want a specific location for your event don’t drag your feet, think quickly and decide. If you are planning a destination wedding, then convey that to your wedding planner to get the best deals and to make sure the season and weather are suitable for your grand event.

4. Select Wedding Services Essentials:

Who: Wedding Photographer, Catering, Decor

How: Recommendations (Online + Offline), Research

With Whom: Photographer (With Partner), Caterer (With Family and Wedding Planner), Decor (Family, Friends, Wedding Planner)

The most memorable aspects of a wedding are going to be photography, catering and décor. Remember to include all your fantasies but don’t let your imagination run wild! No one wants a royal themed wedding with Mexican cuisine! Create a balance between your choices by creating them in sync with others. 

5. Have a plan B

What: Back-up for all services, venue

How: Research fall-back options in your wedding budget, check availability

With Whom: Your Partner, Friends

Even though you plan everything to perfection, anything could go wrong. While planning a wedding be prepared for any last minute surprise, just in case, but always be optimistic. Getting involved in the planning process will give you immense confidence and the strength to overcome anything. You don't want rain to ruin your day, so be prepared for such unseen surprises.

Planning a Wedding Don'ts:

Now that we've handled the Do's, let's move to the things you shouldn't do while planning a wedding. It's your day, but don't let it leave a bad taste (literally and proverbially) in anyone's mouth. Here's how you don't jar others with planning noise:

1. Don’t procrastinate

What: Planning a Wedding, Checking Vendor Availability, Finalising Vendors, Cross-checking, Verifying and Payments

How: Keep a Wedding To-Do Checklist and work accordingly

With Whom: Vendors, Family, Friends, Wedding Planner, Partner

Dreaming that your wedding hassles would magically resolve on their own? It’s your wedding; there is no point in thinking that something or someone will make everything perfect for you. Don’t turn planning a wedding into a chaotic experience; the faster you set your house in order, the better. 

2. Don't Fly Off Your Budget

In Indian weddings, in the beginning, there is always this watertight budget; then by the end of it, money flows like water. Don’t spend a fortune and run into debt, it’s your dream wedding, not your financial nightmare. Discuss with your wedding planner where all you can save some bucks. For instance, you don't have to go for costly items for decor, it only serves an aesthetic purpose which even cheaper items can serve. Same you can do for flowers, go for in-season ones rather than making special requirements for off-season ones.

3. Don't Be A Bridezilla/Groomzilla

To Whom: Your Family, Friends, Partner

How: Keep Calm, Plan Ahead

Planning a wedding can be a nightmare at times, but that doesn't mean that you need to add to the pressure by taking up everything yourself or running around with a baton. Share the load and let everyone remember your nuptials in a happy way. Keep your jitters and cold feet at bay when planning a wedding. This will also help you manage everything better as a calm and cool mind can process things better.

4. Don't Hold It In

What: Extreme Tensions, Stress, Depression, Fears

How: Discuss them with your partner, confidants

You're allowed to stress about things, but it's better to let them spill to a confidant, who listens bereft of any judgement, rather than to bottle it all in. By bottling those in, you're not helping anyone and neither are you enjoying your own wedding experience. Indulge in some stress-relieving activities like exercise or meditation. If baking or a good book does that for you, then take that well-deserved break from planning a wedding.

Keep calm - Planning a Wedding is Huge, but doable if you work with the right strategy, army of loved ones, attitude and planning tools. We hope this checklist of Wedding Do's and Don'ts help you through the exercise. It is all about keeping a cool head while managing it all. Don't take on more than you can handle. It will only ruin things for you and everyone around you. Instead, learn to delegate the responsibilities, share the load. Remember, you're not alone in this. You have all your friends and family members to support you every step of the way of planning a wedding. Keeping aside all the vendors that you will need to get on board so that every last element of your wedding can be executed with utmost perfection - sitting down with your family and closest of friends to plan your wedding is what will make your journey a smooth sail. 

And for the rest? Go to WeddingWire's Wedding Planning Checklist to keep a track of all your tasks in a handy way on your phone.