Wedding Planner
Week 1
This week may seem a little too early for the 'big day' preparations.
But you couldn't be any more wrong. There is a lot that needs to be properly executed and for that, initiative must be taken as early as possible. This week seems the ideal one for perfecting plans.
PICK OF THE WEEK
Discuss with your significant other regarding after-wedding household requirements for a brand new life together, and purchase accordingly, sharing the costs involved.
Day 01 – There's only 30 days left, till the beginning of a range of occasions. There is no more time for indolence; things must be put into place, right now. Begin by creating a well-rounded to-do list for yourself. This can be done on an excel sheet or a piece of paper. Whatever you choose, make sure you keep enough space to incorporate new ideas that would emerge as you go.
Day 02 – If you are the bride-to-be, your parents probably have the fancy desire to gift you with household titbits. This is absolutely not necessary, but if your parents are adamant about the gifts then it is the right time to hunt the markets for the best piece of everything. After all, it's you who'd be using them, so why not choose them to your liking? Once you have settled on all the items, you have to realise that the shopping will take time, but must be completed at least a week before the wedding.
Day 03 – Since we are discussing shopping; there is more to it besides household items. It is customary that the father of the bride gift the groom with a watch. The watch and the wedding ring for the groom can be selected from the many high-end shops in town. A sneak peek into what is currently trending are platinum rings, inscribed with the initials of the bride. Same goes for the groom's parents; they need to purchase the wedding ring for the lovely bride. The groom may also gift the bride a special ornament on their wedding night, as a token of love. This can be a pair of earrings, a pair of bangles or even a chain with loving words inscribed on the locket.
Day 04 – This week is all dedicated to shopping and making up for all the gaps. The wedding trousseau of the bride and the groom must have been dealt with by now. If not, don't panic! There is still time to select and buy dresses for all occasions. Decide on how many occasions you are to have. Then clothes for these occasions must also be accommodated.
Day 05 – The bride-to-be needs to book a makeup artist to look gorgeous on her 'special' days. Some may say that the bookings need to be placed much earlier for coveted beauticians, who are extremely busy during the wedding season.
Day 06 – The shopping isn't done yet. There is much more left like buying the saris and punjabis for the extended family members including the grandparents, aunts, uncles even nephews and nieces. There is no steadfast rule, but at least the parents and the grand parents get priority and inclusion in the wedding trousseau of both the bride's and the groom's side.
Day 07 – Since we are emphasising a lot on shopping, we can buy all the materials for the 'dalas'- gift baskets meant to be exchanged on the day of the 'holud'. This might seem like an early purchase but it is recommended at this time of the month, in order to prevent any slip-ups. The materials purchased can be stored away somewhere safe for future use. Other purchases may include bedding items for the guests that are expected to arrive from faraway places for the wedding. These guests must be accommodated properly and all extra requirements need to be purchased in advance.
Week 2
This week is exceptionally important for making plans in support of a smooth execution of the final event. That would include coordination with the event planners, discussions on the nitty-gritty which usually get left out in haste.
Pick of the Week
Event Planning takes a lot of time. Personal research, browsing through social media pages and online websites with 'your significant other' will help in selecting and finalising the designs.
Day 08 – Wedding showers are done approximately two weeks before the wedding day. It is done by close relatives or friends of the bride. This is about time the bride discusses the guest list and sets the theme for the bridal shower with the host of the event.
Day 09 – It is about time both the bride and groom begin taking exceptional care of themselves to shine their brightest on their 'big day'. A full body SPA day is recommended for both, to take off the load of the pressure off the shoulders.
Day 10 – Again, based on traditions, if there is to be a 'holud day', then preparations need to be taken regarding its content. Cousins need to be called for a mini discussion and baby steps need to be taken to practice any drama, parody or dance number for the occasion.
Day 11 – The complete guest list for the wedding needs to be confirmed by this week.
The written content material to go with the invitation cards needs to be prepared and confirmed with the elders of the family.
Day 12 – Invitation card designs need to be selected and finalised. Orders need to be placed as early as possible.
Day 13 – One-to-one discussion with the significant other is required for planning the event decorations. The event planner needs to be called upon and the suggestions can be made directly. Since the big days are solely meant for the bride and the groom, naturally they get the priority in selecting their wedding theme.
Day 14 – The menu for all the occasions need to be discussed and decided upon by this week. The menu can be discussed with the in-laws in order to incorporate their counsel. The information related to the number of guests invited by the extended family needs to be shared between the two families.
Week 3
Typically, the aiburo bhaat should be the day before the wedding but since both the bride and groom need a lot of rest and peace of mind, do it two weeks before the big day.
Pick of the Week
The aiburo bhaat consists of a lavish meal which includes rice, paturi (mustard fish steamed in a banana leaf), daal, mutton curry, assorted fried vegetables, fish, and payesh (rice pudding).
Day 15 – Today is a good day to host the bridal shower party with close friends and family. There can be many props to help in taking the funniest and the most memorable pictures. Bridal shower is the westernised version of the aiburo bhaat, if you prefer to have the latter. Then this is where the bride and groom take their last meal as unmarried people, in their respective homes.
Day 16 – After the aiburo bhaat / bridal shower it is eminent to go to the parlour once again and take a full body Spa to refresh the mind and the body. Oil massage to the hair will ensure softness and a refreshing feel.
Day 17 – It is typical that both the bride and the groom will suffer from anxieties and wedding jitters. To prevent this from marring your looks, take detox water regularly in the morning, among other things, of course!
Day 18 – Exercise is recommended for everyone, every day, despite any forthcoming occasions. But to the couch potato grooms and brides, this is probably the right time to start jogging, daily. At least a week of exercise would ensure bright and healthy look on the big day.
Day 19 – If you prefer having your hair dyed before the wedding, this week should be ideal for booking an appointment. If things go wrong, this leaves you ample time to rectify your error.
Day 20 – All the items missing from the trousseau, like sandals, purses, inner-wear, matching jewelleries etc needs to be purchased by this week. The boxes that will hold the trousseau, usually suitcases, need to be obtained as well.
Day 21 – Considering all the preparations are in place, the family members have begun to arrive and are taking part in rehearsing the ceremonial entertainments. Make a checklist with the family to see if anything is missing, like the ribbon, to hold the gate for the groom, the 'holud kota' etc.
Week 4
This is the week before the 'zero hour'. Any major issue that does not concern the wedding must be addressed so that a long vacation can be taken without any hassles from outside.
Pick of the Week
Den Mahr is a mandatory payment, in the form of money or possessions paid or promised to be paid by the groom, to the bride at the time of marriage, which legally becomes her property.
Day 22 – If it's a Muslim wedding the 'den mahr' needs to be discussed with the in-laws. Sometimes the specified subject-matter is discussed much earlier.
Day 23 – The bride and the groom need to have some time of their own discussing future life in a relaxed setting. A coffee shop encounter sounds extremely worthy. The honeymoon destinations and the length of stay can be discussed over coffee.
Day 24 – After this week, the bride and the groom will take leave from office work. So, all preparations must be complete for a smooth vacation without office worries.
Day 25 – This is for the bride; time to wax and shape your eye brows. For both, its time to whiten your teeth and pay a visit to the dentist.
Day 26 – Today if there's some free time, the bride can visit a professional to exfoliate the face and get a fresh manicure and pedicure. French manicure looks wonderful on the hands of the bride.
Day 27 – Communicate the wedding-day schedule, any special duties, and important contact information to the parents, close family, and the wedding coordinator.
Day 28 - Place final payments and cash tips into separate envelopes for each vendor. Give them to a trusted friend of a family member to distribute on your wedding day. Ask him or her to greet each vendor and be the point person for questions.
Today is probably the right time to have the bachelor and bachelorette parties separately with close friends.
The Final 2 Days
Day 29 – Another Spa day is a welcome idea. If you want to trim your hair, get a new cut with a fresh look. This is probably the right time to do it.
Day 30 – Take complete rest. Switch yourself off from the rest of the world. Even lady love and hubby handsome can stay away from each other. You will get to meet your significant other in a day or two after the holud and mehendi rituals. So please, take rest.
BY MEHRIN MUBDI CHOWDHURY
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: meghla, mahi
Wardrobe: chondon
Jewellery: araaz
Makeup: Farzana Shakil's
makeover salon
Location: Eskay by saimul karim
PHOTO: LS ARCHIVE/ SAZZAD IBNE SAYED/ STAR WEDDINGS 2015