With the wedding season already here, I have a few posts up my sleeve ranging from wedding planning to know what type of rock would suit you, and anything in between. But still, weddings. They’re a time to celebrate the love of two people, create life-long memories, eat, and have ‘friends’ bet on how long the union would last. But behind every candle and canapé is months or sometimes years (or just days) of planning, as any husband or wife would tell you. With a long list of to-dos to tick off before your big day, I had a chat with the wedding planning team at Radisson Blu about some of the definitive wedding planning dos and don’ts.

Wedding Planning Dos

Negotiate the Price Offered

Remember to always negotiate the pricing and agree on a budget that allows you to get more value for your money. Many wedding planners are usually flexible with the prices and expect couples to come with different views on budgets. So feel free to negotiate and get the chance to invite more people (not really), change your menu options or get special theming services across your venue.

Have a Dream Wedding in Mind

Even the greatest visionaries can benefit from visual aids. Bring in images of your preferred flowers, your partner’s favorite table designs or chandeliers, and design your wedding piece by piece with the wedding planner.

Request Discounts for your Weddings Guests

If you’re inviting your guests to stay at the hotel, ask for discounted prices. Most wedding venues in the Middle East region offer discounted pricing to the bride and groom’s guests. So if you’re liaising with your wedding planner on choosing one, take advantage of his/her good relationships with hotel managers who could get you revised prices, and allow your guests to enjoy flexible rates and a happy stay.

Agree on a Theme with Your Partner

The Middle East region is used to hosting weddings from a myriad of cultures, bringing specific traditions, themes, and colors together. Ahead of meeting your wedding planner, agree with your partner on a theme. Show no hesitation in your choice of colors, lighting, table-tops and any theming necessities. You need that extra time to be spent searching for the right dress and best flower arrangement – or teaching your spouse-to-be how to master that first dance.

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Be Open to New Ideas

We all like to believe we know best, but wedding planning is not an easy fete and planners are experts in their field, so don’t shy out from trying new ideas. They’ve seen and organized many weddings over the years. They can definitely share their expertise and advise on what’s best wedding planning dos. Your personality, budget, and your partner’s character all go into the planning too. There’s no harm in a second opinion.

Wedding Planning Don’ts

Don’t go in Troops to the Wedding Planner

Middle Eastern families are popular for involving close and far family members in the wedding planning dos process. Planning cross-cultural weddings can end up with extended family members interfering, while the bride and groom wait for a final decision. Remember, it’s your wedding and no one else’s. Decide with your partner and take a second best opinion only if needed.

Don’t Forget to Taste your Menu

After checking multiple menu options and custom making your own that fits your taste as well as your guests’, many couples don’t know that they can actually request a tasting to know if your favorite home dish is perfect, or requires fixing. Don’t be shy to have a little pre-wedding wedding bite.

Don’t Have High Expectations if your Budget is Low

Wedding planners hate losing creativity time on negotiating budgets when the range is really low, and your expectation is extremely high. Know how big your wedding can be with the money you have before negotiating. You’ll end up losing precious time that could have been spent with a different planner or venue manager. Even the cheapest weddings can be absolutely beautiful, but this is where time and effort plays a major role. Therefore, don’t waste time negotiating big things with small change. Make your decision, book your venue, and get planning.

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Don’t Ask for Last Minute Changes

Always keep track of the details; attendees, photographer availability, the best time for videography, and so on. Many couples think adding 50 extra guests to the guest’s list is easy, but it’s actually not. There’s more than just servicing attached to the price tag. You will need to fit extra seating with table-tops, flowers, lighting, and even make sure that there are enough F&B offerings for additional visitors. So keep in mind the behind the scenes work that’s required for every last minute request you pass on to your wedding planner.

Well, with that said, don’t forget that it’s your wedding and the buck stops with you (not unless your mother and soon-to-be mother-in-law decide to get involved). And if you can’t afford it, save the little you have and head to the courthouse where you won’t need to observe any wedding planning dos and don’ts; just a pretty dress and bouquet of your favorite flowers (plus the rings and the witnesses… oh and the groom; don’t forget the groom).