You really wanted that lavish wedding day but money is tight and you don't really want to go abroad. Don't be embarrassed about not spending a fortune on one day - most people will understand, and if they don't, did you really want them at your wedding anyway?
Plan an intimate affair involving immediate family only. Book a room or a secluded table in an exclusive restaurant and splash out on a sumptuous feast that you wouldn't normally be able to afford.
Explain to friends that you really only wanted a small wedding but you are looking forward to celebrating with them at a later date.
Ask a friend that you trust with a camera, if they would mind being your photographer for the day. Consider buying a good digital camera for quality photos. Digital photos can be adjusted if necessary and can look just as good as a professional photograph if processed in a quality photo-shop. Do some test shots in advance of the day and buy your own wedding album.
If you still want to celebrate with friends hire a local church hall or banqueting suite in a hotel and organise an evening buffet. You can decorate the room yourself the night before with colour co-ordinating balloons, napkins etc and make the room look really special. If you want to book a hotel say it is a family occasion when you enquire about the price as many hotels will add extras if you tell them it is a wedding. Ask a friend to act as DJ. Tell everyone to bring along some Cd's with their name on the cover or make up your own compilation in advance.
Make your own invitations or buy standard invitations in your local stationery shop. There are lots of websites to help you design your own invitations and simple can look very elegant
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The Wedding Guide For Every Bride
The Best Guide To Planning A Wedding In Ireland
Make a list of suitable dates
Decide on the type and style of wedding
Contact a number of hotel
Request wedding brochures and price lists
Attend local wedding fairs
Determine approximate guest numbers
Collect pictures of dress designs you like
Discuss honeymoon options with your fiance
Contact Church / Registry Office to check available dates
Gather photographs of hairstyles
Appoint Bridesmaids
Decide on the Groom / Groomsmen wedding attire and discuss with the Groom
Discuss who pays for what
Announce your engagement
Throw an engagement party
Make a list of any engagement gifts you receive and send thank you cards
Wedding Planning Stage: A Year In Advance
Book the Church / Registry Office
Discuss if pre-marriage course is required
Book the Hotel
Discuss menu options
Think about style of Invitations
Check with your clergyman to determine any pre-marital requirements
Contact Photographers to check prices and availability
Order wedding dress and accessories
Discuss music / entertainment
Wedding Planning Stage: Nine To Twelve Months Before
Decide on type of wedding cake you want and place the order
Place an announcement of your engagement in the newspaper
Book a photographer and video-grapher
Book musicians, soloists and review music selection for ceremony/reception
Book dancing lessons
Draw up a detailed guest list (family and friends of bride & Groom)
Arrange dress fittings
Plan the honeymoon
Discuss transport requirement
Register your gift list in one or more shops
Wedding Planning Stage: Six to Nine Months
Discuss stationery requirements (invitations, service sheets etc) and theme
Order wedding stationery or purchase materials if you decide to DIY
Select and order bridesmaids dresses and schedule fittings
Arrange car hire
Book florist and discuss color scheme and availability of chosen flowers
Select wedding suits for the groom and male attendants
Order favors for guests
Wedding Planning Stage: Four to Six Months
Check legal requirements - marriage licences etc
Book appointment for vaccinations if travelling abroad
Select and order wedding rings
Finalise the guest list
Purchase gifts for wedding attendants
Purchase accessories (garter, ring pillow, candles, guest book etc.)
Decide on those extra special finishing touches and confirm availability (doves, balloons, harpist etc)
Book a calligrapher to address invitations etc.
Check you have complete address list
Finalise honeymoon
Apply for a visa or passport, if necessary( book tickets in passport name)
Confirm all orders placed to date
Book appointment with hairdresser to discuss style
Two to Three Months
Place wedding announcements in local newspaper
Reserve accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests
Confirm men's wedding suits
Start addressing invitations
Post first batch of invitations eight weeks before the wedding
Arrange a meeting with the florist to co-ordinate colours and confirm availability
Confirm date and time of wedding rehearsals with all concerned
Arrange a meeting with photographer to discuss requirements in detail
Book an appointment with hairdresser for trial and wedding day
Book appointment with makeup artist for trial and wedding day
Shop for going away outfit and wedding night lingerie
Four to Six Weeks
Post final batch of Invitations six weeks before wedding
Mail thank-you notes for gifts receivedHave your final wedding dress fitting.
Confirm all legal issues have been attended to
Arrange final dress fittings for bridesmaids and other attendants
Purchase gifts for your future spouse, bridesmaids, attendants etc
Order bouguet of flowers for Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom
One Week Before
Post thank you notes for gifts received
Pack case for wedding day and night
Pack suitcase for honeymoon
Label envelopes with name of recipient, amount included and who will attend to the matter
Make sure you have all legal documents and wedding rings in a safe place
Wrap gifts for bridesmaids, groom and attendants
Write a thank you note to both sets of parents
Book a manicure
Two Days To Go
Attend wedding rehearsal and dinner
Distribute gifts to the wedding attendants
Issue envelopes to designated people
Pick up hired suits
Make a list of things you need to do the day before and on the wedding day
The Day Before
Have a manicure
Choose a responsible person to return suit rentals and collect deposits due
Give rings and legal documentation to a trustworthy person for safekeeping until rquired prior to the wedding ceremony
Relax and have a good nights sleep
Confirm a delivey time with the
Contact hotel and confirm arrangements; menu, time of arrival etc
Confirm details with muscians (list specific songs to be played)
Two to Three Weeks
Contact guests who have not forwarded an RSVP card
Arrange name change on documents for business, banking, insurance, etc.
Order foreign currency / travellers cheques for honeymoon
Collect wedding rings and check they fit
One to Two Weeks
Write or have calligrapher do the place cards or a reception seating chart.
Provide the caterer with the final guest count and seating arrangements.
Confirm honeymoon reservations
Collect foreign currency travellers cheques
Assign tasks for all attendants - write a list for each individual
Collect wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, suits etc check everything fits
Confirm transportation
Arrange a dinner to follow wedding rehearsal
florist
Drop cake and table decorations off at the hotel
Two Days To Go
Attend wedding rehearsal and dinner
Distribute gifts to the wedding attendants
Issue envelopes to designated people
Pick up hired suits
Make a list of things you need to do the day before and on the wedding day
The Day Before
Have a manicure
Choose a responsible person to return rentals after the wedding and pick up the deposits
Relax and have good night's sleep
Give rings and legal documents to a trustworthy person for safekeeping until required at the ceremony safekeeping until required at the ceremony
Confirm delivery time with florist
The Wedding Day
Have a good breakfast, and try to relax
Have your hair and make-up done in good time
Don't drink too many fluids and remember to use the bathroom before you put on your dress
Put on your wedding dress an hour before you are due to leave for the church
Remember to have a wonderful day!
