Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wedding Planning To-Do-List

12+ months before
  1. Determine solemnisation date
  2. Determine wedding date, if different from solemnisation date
  3. File an application for marriage at ROM three months before
  4. Decide on the size, formality and setting of wedding
  5. Start a wedding binder with ideas for wedding decor and flowers
  6. Create a wedding budget
  7. Reserve the locations for wedding and ROM reception
  8. Meet with and book wedding officiant and clergy
  9. Choose wedding party and confirm the participants
  10. Shop around for wedding ring design ideas
  11. Draw up an initial guest list together with families
  12. Throw engagement or solemnisation party
  13. Order wedding gown, shoes and bridesmaids' attire
  14. Book pre-wedding and wedding day photographer - DONE
  15. Book videographer
  16. Book make-up artist and arrange for a trial session - DONE
i do have reasons to be panicking, don't i? 87.5% away from completion and the most important item has yet to be checked - wedding/solemnisation date! for the longest time, we were anticipating the launch of 2013 通书 aka almanac. when it was finally released about a month ago, my future in-laws decided that it is not auspicious to pick a date during the lunar 7th month. can't wait for sunday to arrive to pick a date and start sourcing for venues.

had a bit of spare time yesterday to read up more on 过大礼 aka betrothal. realised that a separate checklist is needed as there are just too many miscellaneous items to take care of. betrothal definition is simple - a mutual promise to marry. how did it transform to such complexity?

for the Groom:

  • 24 cans of pig trotters - to be replaced with a red packet
  • 聘金 - amount has yet to be fixed
  • red packet for matchmaker
  • 2 bottles of martell 
  • 1 pair of 龙凤镯 - groom takes phoenix and bride takes dragon 
  • 四点金 - dear has been "tempting" me with a huge pig design necklace
  • oranges - bride to return
  • rock sugar / melon sugar 
  • big basket

for the Bride:

  • pants for groom
  • red packets for groom’s parents and unmarried siblings
  • 2 bottles of honey or 1.5L soft drinks in exchange for the martell
  • towels wrapped up as presents for groom’s parents, grandparents and aunties
  • 2 lamps
  • suitcase to contain brides' clothes, new set of pajamas etc
  • 2 tea set 
  • 1 sewing box with even number of threads / needles / scissor / ruler / measuring tap
  • fan 
  • bedroom slippers
  • handkerchief
  • baby bathtub / face basin / spittoon
  • mirror / comb / mouth rinse container / toothbrush
  • 1 pair red string
  • 嫁妆 aka dowry - variety of gold jewellery in a box for the bride to show to the in-laws, for bride to keep after the wedding day
  • pig trotter, red packet, biscuits for matchmaker 
  • red banner for bride
  • red packet for bride 

for 安床
  • comforter set, blanket, pillow, bed sheet, bolster for bride - tied together using ribbon 
  • longans / red dates / bai he / rock sugar / yuan bing for groom