10 things to do before your wedding

This is my paternal grandparents' wedding photo. I really don't know when this was taken (have to ask my dad for the exact wedding date). I've never even met my lola because she died of tuberculosis when my dad was only four years old.

Funny how sad they look in their wedding picture. Bawal ba talaga ngumiti nung 1930's? Well, I suppose this is the official/formal wedding picture that's why they were probably asked not to smile. I will never know the reason. My grandfather has been gone for a decade now and he was probably the only person who could've shed some light on this non-smiling photo.

Sepia.

In those days, this was the "in" thing probably. During my parents' wedding, it was mostly black and white. I'm not even sure how weddings were conducted then. But I'm pretty sure they didn't have AVPs or fireworks or bubble machines back then. Just probably a simple ceremony and celebration and a lifetime of togetherness. Gush.

They definitely never came across wedblogs and wedsites that had helpful hints (got this from a newlywed's site) for the soon-to-be newlyweds like:

1. Don't start your wedding planning without a budget. One of the most stressful elements to wedding planning usually is money. Make sure you decide up front how much your total wedding budget is going to be and who will be contributing and how much.

2. Don't spend more than your budget or what you can afford. Your wedding day is an important day, but it is only one day. You don't want to start your new life together by going into "serious" debt from your wedding expenses and being strapped with that debt for the next five years.

3. Don't rely upon oral agreements with vendors. Get everything in writing!

4. Don't try and do everything yourself. Planning a wedding can be a full time job in itself. So, don't try and take on such an enormous project alone, delegate as much as you can! When it comes to weddings, everyone loves to help, so let them!

5. Don't insist on having it your way all the time! Come to an agreement on the things that are less important.

6. Don't skimp on your photography. Your wedding day goes by so fast, and after it's over, all you'll have left is your memories and your pictures.

7. Don't get crazy over every detail. It can really take the pleasure out of the wedding planning process. I mean, will it really matter that the ribbons for the favors are baby blue instead of ice blue?

8. Don't forget to thank everyone involved in your wedding and those that gave you gifts. Also, don't let those thank you notes pile up. Send them out promptly after you receive a gift.

9. Don't overload yourself the day before your wedding. This is not the time to put together 200 favors. Try to do only one or two small tasks and leave the rest of the day to relax and pamper yourself.

10. Don't expect perfection for your wedding day. Expect a "terrific" day and set reasonable expectations. Never forget, the main goal is to get married.

I swear, love is beautiful. Eternal. But planning a wedding seems to get more complicated as the years go by. I wonder how weddings will be when I'm a grandmother?

source: www.usabride.com/wedplan/10_donts.html