Planning

10 Perfect Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Wedding Planner

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Wikipedia defines a wedding planner as a professional who assists with the design, planning and management of a client’s wedding. Most people are skeptical about hiring wedding planners but they actually take a huge part of the burden off your chest.

If you fall under the class of those who are still wondering if they should hire one or not then here are 10 sure questions you should ask any wedding planner you intend to hire to clear your mind of any doubt whatsoever.

1.What Are Your Work Ethics?

The couple should find out if the planner prefers face-to-face meetings, calls or emails. Find out if they have a workable plan. This would help you have a sense of where their priorities fall.

2. Is There A Minimum Budget?

You may probably have no idea how much it will cost to make your wedding happen in a fab way but your wedding planner should be able to give you realistic budget that you can work with or not. It is wise to be honest about how much you have on the table to spend.

3. Do You Have Vendors You Prefer To Work With?

If they do, it could be to your advantage or not because it means that they have established a solid relationship, access to discounts, and an understanding of the other vendors’ quality of work. It can also limit your ability to get a decorator/photographer that can give you what you desire the most.

Make sure you find out if the planner gets a percentage from their preferred vendors so you know why they like working with those vendors and how they’ll be working for YOU.

4. What Makes Your Weddings Unique?

It is essential that you know what length your planner is willing to make your wedding extremely special. Does he/she switch venues? Your personality and the like?

5. How Similar Are Your Weddings?

It’s important to get a feel for what each planner brings to the table. You’ll quickly see if their ideas can mesh with your vision.

6. What’s The Most Successful Wedding You Have Ever Planned?

You have to know what the person you are hiring can do. If they’ve pulled off 500-person weddings without a hitch, chances are they’ll easily be able to plan your wedding.

7. What Kind Of Venues Have You Planned Weddings In?

This would help you have an idea of the planner’s range. If you want an outdoor wedding, make sure the planner has a sense of how to execute that type of event flawlessly before you sign a contract. The planner should be asked weather-related questions, lighting questions, and questions about decor to see the way he/she will go about planning an event in your ideal venue.

8. How Do You Cope With Difficult Family Members?

This question helps you know how the planner handles work pressure.  Something may go wrong at your wedding but you need a planner who can remain poised no matter what. Difficult family members could also pose a problem. Your planner should be able to take care of any situation that may arise with ease.

9. How Long Have You Been A Wedding Planner?

Starting new is not a problem but it’s only vital that you are aware how experienced your planner is.

10. How Do You Tackle Design?

Every planner has a creative vision and a talent for creating beautiful events, but you should know if they can beautifully bring your idea to life. Pay attention to how the planner responds to your ideas and most importantly relates with them. If your dreams are overwhelming, you just may need another planner.

It is only appropriate that your planner should be able to connect on many levels with you.

Photo Credit: Confetti.ie

Planning

A Simple Guide To Addressing Your Wedding Invitation Cards

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Most couples tend to overlook the way their wedding invites are being addressed. Typically, addressing your wedding invitation card is as important as any of your other wedding plans.

Here’s an easy guide to creating top-notch wedding invites that would also impress your guests.

1. A Married Couple

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Bassey and Mrs. Joy Okon

Or

Mr. and Mrs. Bassey Okon

On the inner envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Okon

Or

Bassey and Joy

2. A Married Couple With Different Last Names

List the person you’re closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you’re similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order.

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Bassey Okon and Mrs. Amara Chukwu

On the inner envelope:

Mr. Okon and Mrs. Chukwu

Or

Bassey and Amara

3. An Unmarried Couple Living Together

As with a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but in this case, each name gets its own line.

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Henry Adamu
Ms. Olive Tamuno

On the inner envelope:

Mr. Adamu
Ms. Tamuno

4. A Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors

If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the envelopes should read:

On the outer envelope:

Dr. Anne Kwame and Mr. Charles Badejo

If she uses her husband’s name socially:

Dr. Anne and Mr. Charles Badejo

If both parties are doctors, you can address the outer envelope:

Doctors Anne and Peter Badejo

On the inner envelope:

Dr. Kwame and Mr. Badejo

Or

The Doctors Badejo

5. Those With Other Distinguished Titles

Apply the same rules you use for doctors for military personnel, judges, reverends and so on. If both titles don’t fit on one line, indent the second line.

On the outer envelope:

The Honorable Victoria Audu and Lieutenant Jason Audu, NN

Or if they’re both captains in the military:

Captains Victoria and Jason Audu, NN

On the inner envelope:

Judge Audu and Lieutenant Audu, NN

Or

The Captains Audu

6. Children and Families

Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation by their name(s) – they should not be addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, use “Miss.” Boys don’t need a title until they’re 18 – then they’re addressed as “Mr.”

Mr. and Mrs. Martins Okpa
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Miss Kelly

7. Children 18 and Older

They should receive their own invitations (unless they’re living at home with their parents).

On the outer envelope:

Ms. Audrey Okpa

Or

Mr. Jack Okpa

On the inner envelope:

Ms. Okpa

Or

Mr. Okpa

These guide will surely come in handy when you intend on getting those wedding invitations addressed in the right way. It goes a long way to show that you and your spouse actually pay attention to detail.

Have a good time wowing your guests.

 

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Planning

These 8 Tips Will Help You Plan A Low Budget Wedding With Ease

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Weddings, especially in Africa, are mostly flamboyant no matter how much you plan to keep it low key. This may be as a result of numerous relatives, the culture, etc. However, being African or Nigerian does not mean you must spend above your budget to have a beautiful wedding.

These 8 tips will help you a great deal if you are trying so hard to avoid the heartache of having a wedding that’s ridiculously above your budget.

1. Trim Your Guest List

Although you do not want to miss anybody while sending out wedding invites, it is imperative that if you are planning a low budget wedding, you should filter your guest list as much as you can.

There is additional cost with each addition to the list. Basically you should plan the wedding for you and your spouse and not the people around.

Photo Credit: Luxe

2. Be Mindful With Venues

This may sound a bit precarious but a reception venue is not compulsory. You could always opt for a dinner with close friends and family. This would cut down cost a lot or better yet, you could use your own home (or the home of a parent) for your ceremony, or perhaps a public park with a lovely scenery.

3. Rent / Purchase A Low Cost Wedding Gown

Renting a wedding gown may not be the best idea for most brides but it’s cheaper than getting a custom made gown. Also there’s a high chance that you would find beautiful low-cost wedding gowns to purchase.

4. Settle For Home-cooked Meals

Family member(s) who know how to work their way around meals would be of great help. You do not need a caterer to take care of your wedding food if it will cause a rise in your budget. Your friends can be of help too. Serving light refreshments instead of a full meal is not a bad idea too.

This can also work for a wedding cake.

Photo Credit: Colorfully

5. Be Your Own DJ

You don’t have to hire a professional Disc Jockey to be in charge of the music at your wedding. You can make a mix-tape prior to the wedding and hand it over to a family member who has a flair for music and get him/her to ensure your guests have a good time.

6. Precise Photography

Hiring a photographer for the entire wedding is not exactly necessary. Get one for the ceremony and part of the reception to capture the essence of the event. This should slash cost.

7. Help Over Gifts

Rather than accept outrageously expensive gifts from wealthy family members and friends. You could ask for help instead, it won’t hurt.

8. Be Picky With Vendors

Whether you like it or not, you have to accept some vendors will charge fees that are way beyond your budget. If you have a tight budget, stick to the vendors that suit your budget.

It doesn’t matter if you have a blank cheque for your wedding or you are planning on a fixed budget, ensure you have a memorable one surrounded by people you love and yes, Iludio planning tools can readily come to your rescue if setting up your wedding budget is more dicey than you expected.

 

Main Photo Credit: Destiny Magazine

Planning

Here’s Why You Need A Gift Registry In Your Life

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Buying gifts can be very tricky, especially for a newly wedded couple. You can be low on cash or stuck with what to buy. Aargh! Nobody wants this.

Thankfully, Iludio is here to ease your burden. The gift registry is open to both the couple and guests. This means you and your friends can create gift registries where preferred items are selected and funds shared with no stress. Yeah, you are welcome.

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This is what you should know about Iludio gift registry.

1. Selection

The gift registry has a variety of items and you can choose those that easily match your budget too.

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2. Gifting

As a couple (bride) you can set an item as a group gift and get guests to contribute to buy the item.

3. Cash Contribution

Funds can be added to your registry and you can get guests to contribute cash.

4. Unlimited Access

Your guests in Nigeria and any part of the world can buy gifts and contribute to funds.

Furthermore, there’s a column where you get to select the particular brand you would love to purchase items from. Of course, this totally saves you the hassle of going to the market, stalls or malls. If you are a bride-to-be or friends with a bride-to-be then why don’t you or her have a gift registry?

Planning

Should You Wear A Colored Wedding Dress? These Celebrities Have All The Answers You Seek!

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A little tweak never kills. Breaking the rules feels real good (sometimes). Ever imagined walking down the aisle in a dusty rose or blush wedding dress? Epic!

Most people still don’t think it’s quite right for a bride to rock a colored wedding gown but heck, the narrative is changing. No?

These photos from some celebrity weddings will make you want to ‘rebel’ on your wedding day.

1. Kaley Cuoco Sweeting

The Big Bang Theory starlet rocked a powder puff pink Vera Wang gown for her nuptials to tennis pro Ryan Sweeting.

2. Shenae Grimes

The ex 90210 actress wore a black tulle gown with a gray skirt for her wedding to Josh Beech.

3. Amber Tamblyn

The Joan of Arcadia star wore a canary yellow, clingy dress that was earthy, matching the trees and foliage in the natural setting.

4. Reese Witherspoon

For her wedding to Jim Toth, the Oscar winning ex-wife of Ryan Phillippe went the soft, pale pink route with her strapless Monique Lhuillier gown.

5. Avril Lavigne

She was typical Avril for her union with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, opting for a black gown, a black bouquet, and black eye makeup.

6. Gwen Stefani

The singer and L.A.M.B. designer wore a now-iconic, dip-dyed gown with a hot pink train, designed by John Galliano.

7.  Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker donned a pretty black frock for her nuptials.

I bet you may have changed your mind about a  conventional white wedding dress after reading this! Don’t they look lovely?

Planning

Here’s How To Effortlessly Plan The Perfect Outdoor Wedding

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An outdoor wedding as the prefix already implies is one that’s held in an open space void of the confines of a wall or barricade.

Photo Credit: Insideweddings

Although some brides are skeptical about this, others appreciate the uniqueness and serenity of an outdoor wedding.

Most people prefer a garden, a backyard (big), park space, inn or hotel with a beautiful outdoor area. Some are daring enough to wed on a beach. How romantic!

Photo Credit: GQ.com

Here’s how to plan an almost hassle-free outdoor wedding.

1.  Weather

Even the Bible says there is a time for everything. You obviously cannot have an ideal outdoor wedding during the rainy season and you would not want the sun to turn your guests into mince pie.

Keep it at the back of your mind that the hottest time of the day is between 1 and 3 pm. Endeavor to work within an appropriate time frame.

2. Decor Arrangement

Plan in advance the kind of decor you want to grace the scenery and how you intend to move and put them in place.

Photo Credit: Diyjoy.com

3. Permits

If you intend to have your outdoor wedding in a public spot/space, ensure you go all out to get the proper permits before you go ahead with your wedding.

4. Information

Kindly let your guests know prior to the day that they would be attending an outdoor wedding. This could help them carefully pick out proper clothes among others.

5. Renting

Renting a few items for your outdoor wedding is almost inevitable. A portable restroom will have to do if your open space has no public restroom.

You can also rent a tent to save your guests from the sun (if the weather gets too hot).

Photo Credit: Weddings Romantique

6. Wedding Cake

If you intend to display your wedding cake under the sun then your best bet is  to order/make a fondant cake because it will hold up much better than a butter cream cake.

7. Insects

Your food depot should be carefully protected against insects like mosquitoes and the like.

Placing citronella candles all through the space can help control insects. Furthermore, it is advised to fumigate the space a few days before the wedding if it is prone to insect infestation.

8. Lighting

Ensure your lighting is adequately taken care of. Most outdoor weddings run through the evening and no one wants a black out in the middle of the celebration.

Photo Credit: Grahl Photography

As charming as an outdoor wedding is the process of planning can be quite laborious. Whatever the case maybe try not to get overwhelmed and have the best time of your life while at it.

 

Main Photo Credit: AmberStudio.com

Planning

5 Reasons Your Bridal Shower Should Be As Memorable As Your Wedding

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A bridal shower is a gift-giving party held for a bride-to-be in anticipation of her wedding according to Wikipedia. The custom originated in the 1890s and is today most common in the United States and Canada.

It’s the bride’s last day as a single girl and her friends (married or unmarried) ensure she has the best time of her life. Most brides do the craziest things on their  bridal shower to make it exceptional and unforgettable.

The first wedding shower can be traced back to a Dutch story of a young girl who fell in love with a poor miller. Her father was not pleased with his daughter’s choice and refused to bestow a dowry (a sum of money and/or goods) necessary for the couple to set up a household.

The miller was a generous man who had shared his possessions and helped several villagers who had fallen on hard times. When the villagers found out the bride’s father refused to bestow a dowry on the newlyweds, they came together and ‘showered’ the couple with gifts so they could establish a home together.

Hen’s night, bachelorette party are sometimes referred to as bridal shower.

Photo Credit: The Spruce

Photo Credit: The Spruce

Here are 5 reasons you should have an exceptional bridal shower.

1. Closure

Your bachelorette will let you make peace with the fact that you are closing an old chapter of your life and starting an entirely different one.

2. Bonding

No matter how chummy you are with your girls, ‘hanging with the girls’ is never the same when you become Mrs Somebody. It’s only fair that you enjoy these last moments as a single woman with them.

Photo Credit: Damell Photography

3. Confirmation

As much as nobody prays this happens, your bachelorette helps you reflect if you made the right choice or not. 😉

4. Intimacy

Most brides usually have cold feet before their wedding. Being with your girls on this night can be somewhat therapeutic as you can share your fears and anxieties with them.

5. Fun

Unwinding is everything! Something to take your mind off the wedding tension et al. Dancing, getting crazy and laughing out loud with your girls is the best antidote.

It’s your wedding eve and your last official party as a single lady. Have all the fun you can. You deserve it!

 

Main Photo Credit: Brides.com

Planning

The Main Reason Behind A Bridal Train You Probably Didn’t Know About

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A bridal train is usually made up of the chief bridesmaid, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, little groom, little bride, page boy and balloon girls.

Some even go as far as having more than one chief bridesmaid or best man. However, the big question is do we know the significance of having these people tag along you and your spouse on your wedding day?

If you just followed the band wagon and had or intend to have a bridal train… It sure does have its significance in history like almost every other thing.

Photo Credit: SpicyInc Studio

According to the Roman ritual “confarreatio”, 10 witnesses were required to be present at a wedding while the couple recited sacred verses. Though these witnesses were all men, female attendants did escort the bride to the groom’s home for the ceremony.

Furthermore, the bridesmaids were required to dress just like the bride in order to confuse vengeful spirit presences who might try to harm or sabotage the newlyweds.

Another comes from the Bible, in the time of Jacob’s marriage to Leah and Rachel, each wife brought a female servant to the ceremony. They were literally the bridesmaids.

Photo Credit: Aisle Perfect

Groomsmen, however, have a much darker back story. Much of their history revolves around marriages by capture, when a bride was literally captured and abducted from her family.

In some traditions, groomsmen were called Bride’s Knights because they helped carry the bride to the wedding. More like they were taking her from her disapproving relatives to be joined with the man she loved, protecting her from would-be kidnappers.

Time has changed and so has the role of each group on the bridal train.

 

Main Photo Credit: Kamdora

Planning

These Colour Schemes Can Hardly Be Missed At Any Wedding

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Colours are the hallmark of any wedding from the venue, to the bridal train and even the couple’s outfit.

People love to play with colours be it a traditional or church wedding.

Albeit, we love trying out various colours, nobody would love to settle for lousy colours. To play it safe, most couples or wedding planners will most rather go for colours perceived to be ‘safe’.

Here is a list of colours that are typically referred to  as wedding colours.

1. Black And White

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Apart from being basic, black and white are both in a class of their own. Black is associated with power, elegance, formality.

White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection.

White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As opposed to black, white usually has a positive connotation. White can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity.

2. Red

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Red is not only flamboyant but it’s also the colour that depicts love. Hence, it’s a favourite wedding colour.

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love.

Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure.

3. Teal

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4. Coral

Photo Credit: Suchastyle And Lola Ogunsanmi

Coral (often called peach) is a popular wedding colour especially in Nigerian traditional weddings.

There have been many beliefs throughout history at to the positive attributes of coral. It has always been thought to have the power to protect the wearer against evil and enchantments, as well as the power to cure madness. In the 16th century, many people thought a sprig of red or white coral could calm a raging tempest.
5. Pink
Photo Credit: Bizbash And SpicyInc Studio
 Pink, a delicate color that means sweet, nice, playful, cute, romantic, charming, feminine, and tenderness, is associated with bubble gum, flowers, babies, little girls, cotton candy, and sweetness. The color pink is the color of universal love of oneself and of others.
6. Purple
Photo Credit: Luxe Weddings And Events And Sugar Weddings
Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

7. Turquoise

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Teal is a bit similar to teal but a few shades lighter.

The color turquoise is associated with meanings of refreshing, feminine, calming, sophisticated, energy, wisdom, serenity, wholeness, creativity, emotional balance, good luck, spiritual grounding, friendship, love, joy, tranquility, patience, intuition, and loyalty.

8. Green

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Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money.

Green has great healing power. Green suggests stability and endurance. Sometimes green denotes lack of experience; for example, a ‘greenhorn’ is a novice. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope.

9. Blue

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Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.

Like most of the above colours, it has different shades.

With the right colour schemes, you can have the most magnificent looking wedding ever!

Planning

Here’s What To Look Out For In A Prospective Chief Bridesmaid

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Most times people use the words ‘chief bridesmaid’ and ‘maid of honor’ interchangeably but research has proven that the former is a generic term for two different phrases.

The Chief Bridesmaid is traditionally known as the Maid of Honour (if the girl is unmarried) or Matron of Honour (if the girl is married).

Basically, the chief bridesmaid is the bride’s right hand on her wedding day.

Regardless of what you may call it, choosing a chief bridesmaid is equally as important as any of your wedding plans. If you are wondering whom to pick between your sisters and your friends. Maybe even that chummy cousin, these tips would help you.

1. Capability

Your friend may have your best interest at heart and yet may not be organized enough to carry out a chief bridesmaid duty. On the other hand, you may have a not-so-crowd-friendly pal who would not want to take that spot on your big day. Either way, you should know your girls and be certain who can do what.

Photo Credit: La Royal Studios

2. Interest

As mentioned above, be sure your friend really wants to do it (like totally excited) before you assign her the task of being your chief bridesmaid and she feels roped in. No bride wants a surly chief bridesmaid.

3.  Clarity

You should let your chief bridesmaid know what you require of her on the D-day. No assumptions whatsoever.

4. Reliability

She must be someone you can easily rely on. She should not only be an assistant but also a willing confidant – just in case you feel overwhelmed. It’s always good to know there is someone that you can count on.

Photo Credit: MoCheddah

5. Intuition

Half the time your intuition is more accurate than you can ever imagine. So, if you are pondering who to make your chief bridesmaid between your sisters, friends and colleagues who have ticked all the right boxes then follow your intuition. You may not be disappointed.

A chief bridesmaid is highly important on your wedding day. Ensure you make the right choice.

Main Photo Credit: Diko Photography