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