Tips for the big day

Tips for the big day

It is often said that one's wedding day is the happiest moment
in a person's life. Below are a few tips that The Jakarta Post
has compiled from various sources on how to prepare a wedding as
to help achieve that notion:

--- The day and date of the wedding is probably the most
important aspect. Try to plan ahead -- at least a year ahead --
for better preparation. Weddings on weekends are the norm, taking
into mind the schedule of invitees, family members, and the place
to hold the wedding, which can be fully-booked throughout the
year. In Indonesia, many weddings are held after the Islamic
fasting month. After singling out D-Day -- or maybe that should
be W-Day -- start making a detailed checklist and timeline right
up until the day of the wedding.

--- A wedding can be an expensive occasion, so plan and budget
wisely. Being a cheapskate may well undermine your desire for a
lifelong happy memory; but starting off marriage in debt for the
sake of a glamorous, one-day wedding doesn't make much sense
either. Couples on a tight budget and practicality in mind may
consider "wedding packages" that are now popular, while those
with a higher ceiling may want to hire a professional wedding
organizer. A wedding at home, with just close friends and family
members, is no less lovely and much kinder on the pocket as well.

--- After the time and the money comes the place. Pick a
convenient place to hold the wedding, considering its space,
location, and accessibility for invitees. A wedding at home can
save a lot of hassle, as long as your house is adequate to host
all the invitees without violating any city fire regulations or
being suspected by the police for holding an illegal rally.

--- Invitations should be ready a couple of months before D-Day,
and mailed to the intended a couple of weeks before. Consider
engaging the digital age -- while saving costs as well -- by
sending invitations by e-mail. Don't bother inviting too many
friends, as parents have this weird tendency to prioritize their
own friends, rendering the married couple unable to recognize
anyone attending their own wedding.

--- If you are planning a traditional-style wedding, a full
commitment is needed to for the often intricate details and
processed. Consider consulting elder family members who really
know the traditions. Hiring a professional wedding organizer
might also come handy.

--- Documenting the wedding is important -- if a married couple
are requested to pick an item for a time capsule for them or
mankind to see in the future, it should be their wedding
documentation. Candid photos and video shoots during the wedding
party are vital as the couple will usually be preoccupied in
greeting the invitees and missing the whole party. Prepare a list
of people you want to have pictures with at your reception,
starting with school and work friends, and later on families, as
the latter will usually hang around until the party is over.

--- A full-blown wedding party can often be very tiring. In a
traditional Indonesian wedding, however, the bride and groom will
actually not have to move a muscle as families will do all the
work and insist the couple lay back and enjoy being a king and
queen for a while. In extended traditional families, they will
even also cover most of the expenses, as the parents suggested it
was their parties inviting their own friends. So if you come from
such a family, just lay back and enjoy.

--- Consult with other friends and relatives who have already
been married for their experience, as well as magazines and
websites specializing on the topics of weddings and marriage.

Urip Hudiono, Muninggar Sri Saraswati