During the process of getting to and through any dream event , especially a wedding or themed wedding event, you will encounter a mix-bad of planning and activity frenzy, emotions, frustrations, challenges and ‘un-fore-seen’ happening in, between and around you. The latter and obstacles often doubling with a themed wedding, just due to all the complexity and multi-faceted nature you are adding to it.

You need to plan for contingencies (for when things go horribly wrong). Some would argue that themed weddings are risky. There are however arsenals of resources available that can help protect your special wedding day and dream themed wedding. You can make your dreams a reality and your event wonderful, by following a few rules of thumb, etiquette and practical know-how to pull off a successful THEMED WEDDING.

Here is a list of what you need to do in order to plan a successful theme wedding, avoid pitfalls and mistakes and come out on top:

For themed wedding invitations – use your discretion, choice, eye for detail, frugality, practical talents, creativity and ENSURE that all information is there and right…

• Always ask for references prior to selecting and sourcing out the work/supplier
• Always get a sample of your wedding invitations
• Choose the stationer or printer carefully
• Do not pay for it if you are not 100% satisfied and / or there are mistakes they made on it, the quality is not good, ink poor, image blurred, not neat and tidy, wrong envelopes etc.
• Get a signed proof PRIOR to printing them
• Take extra time and care proofreading, even giving it to someone else, for that extra set of eyes and diligence , before giving the go-ahead to have them printed up
• For themed weddings you can also make/do them yourself
• Handwritten, personalized stationery is making another come-back as well
• Ensure there are no printing errors
• Logistics accuracy, the date, time and venues are correctly indicated
• Include a map or hints guide to get to the location (even treasure map for pirate, ocean, sea, beach type maps/themes)

When it comes to wedding gift lists, ensure that there are many more options and choices than there are wedding guests, not wanting to get two or three of the same thing, now would you?! Especially NOT with a themed wedding. People who might not be able to attend , can jump right onto the themed party/wedding and give you something appropriate like a gift certificate to your favorite spots-store or tickets to a local high-level game in a sky-box or private viewing suite for example for a sports-theme wedding.

Wedding guests in attendance, headcount and logistics, contact information, updates, cancellations, stand-by and last-minute guests/additions needs to be tracked actively at all time. Adapt and be flexible budget allowing and ensure that all the details are available to those who need it most (caterers and seating, menu-preparers, cake decorator, favors, seating cards etc. )

Map and zones once upon arrival can be very helpful for guests to have on hand and a must-have for theme or destination-type weddings.

Order of Service sheets for church, court, chapel, even garden services are important. State what will happen when and find an appropriate way to communicate it, according to your theme, note-cards, shaped paper (origami for Asian wedding for example) It can be a good scrapbook item and memento as well as having extras on hand letting everyone what will happen when and where ensure smooth unfolding of the events on the day.

Thank you cards, pictures, video-diary, self-snap cameras on the tables, guest books all make for easy ways to keep with your theme.

Transportation, officiate, wedding party, order of events, rehearsals, menus etc. can all be samples beforehand to get a feel and taste of how the different elements will come and work together to bring your theme to life.

THINK practical when packing and preparing for your bid day – not overlooking the important things like your personals, luggage, passport, money, tickets etc.

Cake stand and knife Microphones, sound-checks, lighting, back-up generator for if power goes out, candles, tent or shelter, alternative/rain-plan for in case of weather

Sampling the foods and drinks on offer to your guests on the day is a great way to get other involved and enthusiastic as well. Take the time to do it, even if you have to pay for it (in most cases you would not, OR you could make it your rehearsal dinner, wedding shower treats), even if you make it yourself, or have it catered, sample and try it BEFORE the big day!

Having a themed wedding can also include taking special care with normal things like

• Parking
• Quality of the food
• Temperature, how and when, it is and will be served, kept warm/cold
• How the reception will unfold – what guests will do and experience, while they wait for you to return from taking pictures and other formalities, between the ceremony and the reception.
• Attendants and ushers
• Memento’s and favors, special thank you’s

Be creative with these and use aspects from your theme to strengthen the overall underlying atmosphere, context and world you are/have created for the day, the setting and wedding of your dreams.

REMEMBER it is about relaxing, sharing, enjoying, having a great time together and celebrating the start of your married life with those you love and whom are special to you! MAKE THE MOST OF IT – WITH THE PERFECT DREAM THEMED WEDDING

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