A wedding nowadays can take on any style. It is your day, you should enjoy it and look back on it fondly. Generally allow about 6 months to plan your wedding.

Type of Wedding
You may choose a traditional church ceremony, an approved Celebrant may conduct a wedding ceremony at any venue, or you may prefer a short ceremony at a registry office.

Invitations
Send out invitations 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding. The RSVP date should be about 3 weeks before the wedding and remember to include a reply card.

The Bride
You may have your dress especially made or you can buy one ready made. Some shops specialise in hiring or selling second hand wedding gear. Consider veil/headgear, shoes, lingerie/stockings, jewellery, gloves, flowers and accessories. Magazines are good for ideas.

Also consider the season you are marrying in and the practicality of lownecklines, high heels and long trains. 'Wear in' your shoes and do a trial run with hair and makeup before the day.

The Bride's Attendants
The chief bridesmaid helps the bride, takes care of any younger wedding party members and looks after the presents.

Choose a style of dress that suits everyone, or each may wear a different style but in the same fabric. Arrange to carry handkerchiefs, lipstick and spare stocking etc.

The Groom and His Attendants
Suits are generally hired. Shirts, ties, socks and shoes can be purchased, or, these may also be hired. Waistcoats and ties may be made using material from the bridesmaids' dresses. Hats and gloves may complete the outfit.

The Best Man
The best man helps the groom. He oversees the ushers, holds the rings, and presents them to the groom during the ceremony and makes a speech and reads out messages during the reception.

Mothers of the Bride and Groom
Coordinate these outfits with the rest of the wedding party to avoid colours or style clashing.

Photography
You only get one chance to record your special day so consider a professional photographer. You are taking a risk if you use someone who is inexperienced. The initial expense may seem high, but you still have something to show for your money several years down the track. The photographer should be arranged early on as are they usually booked up well in advance.

Flowers
Buttonholes are worn by male members of the wedding party and may also be worn by parents, grandparents, siblings, ushers and drivers. Wear them on the left, pinned from underneath. Bouquets are more flattering if held in one hand only and you may also wear flowers in your hair. Consider your requirements to decorate the houses, cars and venues. Order the flowers about 2 months before the wedding.

The Cake
Chocolate or sponge cakes are now just as popular as traditional tiered fruit cakes with white icing. Order the cake a couple of months in advance.

Music
Music selected for both ceremony and reception is very important in creating the right atmosphere. It should appeal to all age groups and should not be too loud to talk over.

The Ceremony
The groom and his party should arrive before the bride and they usually wait at the front. The bride's mother is the last to be seated before the bride arrives. The bride is usually escorted by her father or a close friend. On reaching the groom, she stands to his left. Your minister or celebrant should offer you a variety of service formats to follow, or you may write your own vows etc. Include any songs, music, readings etc, that are special to you. The general order of service is giving away of the bride, declarations, exchange of vows and rings then any prayers, hymns or readings. The register is signed by the bride, groom, minister or celebrant and at least 2 witnesses and then the bridal party leaves.

The Reception
Wedding receptions range from very grand to very informal. It may be lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and dance or dance and supper. Make sure guests know what to expect beforehand.

A master of ceremonies may be appointed to keep things running smoothly. Ushers may show guests to their places or you may provide a seating plan. Have a table at the 'top' of the room for the wedding party. Both the bride's and groom's, close families and distinguished guests, are then seated at the next table. The bridal table is the last to be seated and the first to be served.

Speeches
Speeches may be held before or during the meal. The master of ceremonies first welcomes everyone and introduces each speaker.

The bride's father (or close family friend) proposes a toast to the bride and groom. The Groom replies to this, thanks the guests for attending. He pays tribute to the bride's parents, then to his own and finishes by toasting the attendants. The bride may also wish to speak.

The best man replies on behalf of the attendants and usually rounds out his speech with a few interesting tales. He toasts the bride's parents and then the groom's parents, both of which may make a reply. Any messages are now read and some of the guests may also wish to say a few words.

Keep Healthy
The period leading up to a wedding can be quite stressful. Try to keep to your usual sleep, exercise and diet programmes so you are looking your best on your wedding day.

These suggestions are from:
IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY
JACQUI & CHRIS HAY
21 McTaggart Street, Company Bay,
Dunedin,
New Zealand
Phone/Fax: 64 3 4761735
Mobile: 027 270 5101
jacqui.images@clear.net.nz
and are intented as a guide only.