Come rain or shine!

I hope this cold weather hasn't dampened your mood....or spoilt your wedding plans.

What happens if you have your heart set on an outdoors wedding but you're worried about the weather? My first piece of advice is: if you are a control freak, do not think about having an outdoors wedding. You won't be able to control the weather, and as your stress levels will be up under normal circumstances, bad weather is only going to push your stress levels through the roof.

On the other hand, an outdoors wedding has it's advantages. Being outdoors, you aren't limited with guests numbers, it's a relaxed environment, and it can save you money! Best part is that Mother Nature takes care of the decor for you! A great thing about being outdoors is that you can have games like frisbees, cricket, kites, which will keep the children occupied and out of trouble.

But what about the rain? It can literally dampen the mood! When you plan your venue, ask if there's a hall available should the weather turn bad. Alternatively, hire a canopy tent (with sides which protect you from the rain) and this will offer shelter from rain or the harsh sun! Check the weather forecast regularly to avoid being caught unprepared.

Have a number of umbrellas on hand for your unprepared guests. On your wedding invitation, you can include a few lines from one of Frank Sinatra's songs:
“I’m gonna love you
Like nobody’s loved you,
Come rain or come shine.
High as a mountain, deep as a river,
Come rain or come shine.”

It is believed that it is a blessing if you have rain on your wedding day. On the day of "tying the knot", a wet knot is harder to untie than a dry know!

This is a well known blessing, and I wish it for you, if you are a bride to be:

Happy is the bride that rain falls on
May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.
May the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
And your hearts joined forever in love.
Your lives are very special,
God has touched you in many ways.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.
We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.

First things first!

So he's popped the question! You've flashed your bright, sparkly ring to anyone and everyone. Your mother has told all those far-distant relations you've never met that your engaged! Now what? There's a long road ahead full of preparations, where do you begin!!

Although this is the big day you've been dreaming about since you were a little girl, it's important that you discuss with your man what you BOTH want for a wedding. Make a list of what is important to you both. Make a list of the absolute essentials (venue, dress, flowers) and the optionals (chocolate fountain, horse & carriage, violinist). This will help both of you get a clear picture of your wedding day. Remember, compromise if your lists differ.

Next thing you need to establish a.s.a.p. is your budget. This will influence all of your wedding choices, so the sooner you know what you have to spend, the sooner you can start making plans for the day. It is also important to know if both sets of parents will be contributing to the budget, or will you and your fiance be paying for the wedding on your own. We will be discussing later who traditionally pays for what.

Have you set a date? Do you want a short or long engagement? A long engagement will give you time to save if money is tight. Also bear in mind if there are any important family occasions coming up (your sister having a baby?). Plan your wedding date around the time of year. Bear in mind that our South African summers can be very hot - if you want an outdoors wedding, the middle of summer will not be the best time to have it!

Make sure that you and your hubby-to-be keep the communication channels open and that you share your ideas with each other. But remember, although this is your day, don't kill everyone you know with wedding talk every time you see them. My suggestion is: keep an element of surprise. E.g: your colour theme, or your venue choice.

Most importantly, remember to have fun while planning! It is a celebration of the beginning of your lives together.

Hello!

I'm very new to the world of blogging! I've read plenty of blogs, but never done it! So what brings me to blogging then? Plain and simple, I love weddings - everything about it! Yes, the stress too! I'm a romantic. I love to see people in love, the connection, the chemistry, the promise of all tomorrow's dreams, hopes and successes. To be a part of helping someone plan one of the most important days of their life is a honour for me. The perfect wedding isn't defined by the the perfect venue, flowers, decor, etc. A wedding is a celebration of the union of two people's love for each other, shared with your family and friends. 

My dream for this blog? It's to make it as interactive as you want it to be and, most importantly, to help you have the wedding you've been dreaming about.  It's about your WEDDING WISHES!