Wedding is a thing of joy and excitement. But the joy can be marred unless it is properly planned. Nothing of importance is ever done or achieved without a plan.

“Every well built house”, says S.N. Bremer, “started in the form of a definite purpose plus a definite plan in the nature of a set of blueprints”. Quoting from a writer he adds, “imagine what would happen if one tried to build a house by the haphazard method, without plans. Workmen would be in each others way, building materials would be pile all over the lot before the foundation was completed, and everybody on the job would have a different notion as to how the house ought to be built”.

The importance of counting cost of planning before adventuring is thought by our Lord in Luke 14:25-32. Here Jesus teaches that whoever desires to follow Him and be His disciple should first decide whether he or she is prepared to pay the cost. This is a very wise instruction that should apply to every aspect of one’s endeavour including wedding. Perhaps the following questions will help you plan for your wedding.

How many people are you expecting in the wedding? Is attendance going to be straightly by invitation or open to whoever wills? This is a key question. It will determine how much you will make available for your wedding entertainment.

Some young people have ignorantly invited 1000 persons, to their wedding but made provision for not half of that number. This type of attitude usually bring embarrassment not only the couple but to the invitees. Perhaps this was the case in Cana of Galilee (John2:1-11). The couple must have invited many quests than they prepared or planned for them. Among the Jews a marriage feast sometimes lasts for a week. It will therefore be shameful for wedding entertainment to finish in the middle of the week.

Jesus had to perform a miracle of turning water to wine. Miracle is defined as deeds of supernatural power which alter the normal course of nature. Christ still performs miracles today. But it will be foolishness on our side to fail to plan especially before the wedding day.

How about the wedding invitation? How many copies you will print also depend on the number of persons you intend to invite to the wedding. Conserve fund. Do not print 1000 copies when you need one five hundred. The same goes to programmes. I have attended a wedding where service and reception programmes were printed 10 times more than those who attended. This is a big waste. You need this money for other things.

Your invitation should be sent out very early. One month before the wedding day should be okay. Do not forget to put your contact address in the card for regrets and other responses. Many precious wedding gifts are lost in transit because some young people do not take this into consideration.

Of what significant is your wedding cake? Cake is a mixture of flour, eggs, milk, sugar etc baked as in a loaf and often covered with icing. However, wedding cakes are not just ordinary cakes. The way a cake is patterned speaks volume. I have often heard intending ladies discussed on the patter of their wedding cakes.

A good caterer will always advise you on cake pattern and the various colours you need for its decoration depending on your desire.

How about the wedding gown? This is where many young people often make mistake. I have had to cover my face in some wedding because of indecent dressing. The wedding gown should be made to represent the righteousness of the saints. Isaiah t1:10 says “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorned herself with her jewels”.

What we put on in the wedding day may not be very costly but should be a reflection of our relationship with God. It should reflect the glory of god in us. For a bride to come to the altar with most sensitive parts of her body exposed will not project her relationship with Christ. Do not forget that men look in the outward appearance, though God looks inwardly. Therefore your finger nails etc must be properly taken care of before you match to the altar. Your dressing often reveals your personality, taste and class. As a writer simply puts it, “if a man is well dressed, he is well regarded. And if he is badly dressed he stand out like a sole thumb”.

As the king and the queen of your wedding day do not appear unkempt before your quest. Dress very moderately but neat and tidy. Your “ladies in waiting” will always be in good position to advise you if they are Christians. Remember that it does not cost much amount of money to dress neatly in the wedding. God will help us in this area for us to have a successful wedding.

Members of your entourage, the best man, the chief bridesmaid etc should be communicated on time. In time past the groom had the responsiblity of paying for the suits and dresses of members of his entourage. In recent time this has changed. These friends or relations now assist the intending couple by footing the bills for the suits and dress they use. This is the more reason why the members of your entourage should be told, at least one six months before the date of wedding. If any of them can not make it he or she will decline to enable you make another choice.

Mothers and some other brethren or whatever means you choose must be mobilised for cooking and serving.They should be very neat and decent men or women who have their appetites in control, who will not want to satisfy self before the public.

The use of committee of friends has become very fashionable in the recent time. They help the intending couple to put things together. They also form a prayer force to pray for the success of the wedding. In fact some committee of friends render financial assistance to the intending couple.

Proverbs 18:24 says A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother". Dake comments on this verse, A man who has friends must maintain their friendship through feasts and entertainment but there is a friend that will stand by in adversity".

If God has bless you and provide financial help from your families, it is sensible to have a clear understanding of what they will help you with at the beginning of your planning process. For example Father, mother, unlce may want to pay for your wedding dress, so it is a good idea to let him/her know what the cost could be, as weddding dresses have increased in price. Also try and get an overview of what is involved and how many servies you may need to organise the wedding. Decide what you both want; a small intimate family celebration or a large wedding with lots of family plus friends. Find out if help will be available from family and friends; your wedding cake could be baked by a willing friends, brothers or sisters and your uncle could be a trained florist; then work out what you will have to pay for. It is worth spending a lot of time on this as you will wish to avoid going over budget.

Choosing a venue for your wedding reception.

Whatever you ahve set your heart on, it has to be practial for all your needs. Shortlist a few venues and either visit them or phone for their wedding packs. If you do decide to get married in approved premises, you will be expected to book their facilities for the wedding reception. If however, your ceremony is to be held in a church or a well organise place you will have more flexiblity over the choice of location for the reception.

If you plan to have an evening receiption check that the function room will be available and what is included in the cost. Some couples can be so anxious to book a dream venue for the date they want 6-12months in advance that they can overlook details, such as future price increases and what have you which may add up to a larger than expected bill.

The Cost of the reception will be one of the most expensive items on your planner and could influence how many guests you can invite. The guest list can soon mount up as you realise just how many friends you both have, quite apart from the family choices that have to be made. Do a quick calculation on how much to be allowed for guest food and drinks and also include all the small items such as favours, stationery and invitations. You can always work back to a smaller figure if you need to.

If money is no option you can quite literally have 'aball', however, if you prefer to spend more money on a romantic honeymoon or perhaps your new home, look at the guest list again. Your family may be willing to help with the cost, so you may not have to pune the list too drastically. Extending the invitations to children or guests can be a tricky problem for some couples. This can create awkward situations which you may prefer to avoid.

Musical influences and entertainment for your wedding

Ask your vica if you are getting married in church, or the Registry, if you are having a court wedding what type of music is allowed? In a chruch a mix of religious music and classical is fine, but this is not so for a ceremony in Approved Premises, which are non religious. Ask these questions, as music is a very important element of the ceremony.

To fine out about a live band, harpist or disco, ask for recommendations and a demo CD to listen to. Any form of entertainment will need space and time to set up their equipment so check this with your reception venue. One of the country's leading entertainments agencies, Amazing events, can offer some guidance on booking bands, harpiest, quartets, so give them a call and check out what they can do for you.

Shopping for your wedding dress

The traditional wedding dress is still the romantic dream of most brides to be and the customary white or ivory wedding dress is till a faourite choice.

There are simply hundreds of wedding dress styles you can choose from; gorgeous dreamy creations is tulle and chiffon to the classic satin skirt and embroidered bodice style. Your seach begins with a vision of how you want to look on the day.

.