We recently watched our wedding video - on a cool Saturday evening. I had an awesome wedding, and I was pretty happy with the way the day turned out. But I'd watched it before and apart from the fact that it's kind of funny watching yourself on video, some parts of the video were kind of uncomfortable to watch. Although I didn’t really mind watching my husband tear up while saying his vows. Woooooo!
The different kinds of dancers at the wedding will obviously hope for different things - For the party shakers, an awesome DJ or band is key, while the net-workers simply look forward to a sensible crowd to mingle with. Oh and of course, most of the guests hope for good food and most importantly - Nigerian style small chops, at a Nigerian wedding.
But I've digressed too much. This post is about the top 3 things I think the couple should be concerned in creating beautiful wedding memories. Decor, Venue, Food. All these are great, But am going to talk about the following.
1. The Photography:
When we drew up our wedding budget (complete with excel spread sheets, exact numbers and prices), photography was perhaps the only bit we were willing to splurge a bit on.
And honestly, it's perfectly understandable. Pictures last, but a lifetime. It's the one thing that determines how your wedding really went. Trust me, those weddings you gush about on your favorite wedding websites, you may not gush so much if saw a lot of the behind the scenes.
But the photographer often shows you the best side. What you want to see. In the best way. Right angles. Filtered. Edited.
Also remember that as the couple, you can probably only see bits of the wedding, and you probably won't see everyone. A good photographer gives you the chance to re-experience your wedding, again - at any time.
Also remember that as the couple, you can probably only see bits of the wedding, and you probably won't see everyone. A good photographer gives you the chance to re-experience your wedding, again - at any time.
My wedding photos is definitely one of the things that make me happy. Don't forget those are the photos you'll probably hang up in your living room and the ones your great grandchildren will get to see. Well, I guess you can always take a cue from my mums friend that didn't like her portrait wedding photos and so went right back to the studio with her husband to take another!
2. The Compere:
Whether you choose to call this person a Compere, Host, Master of Ceremonies (Mistress maybe, feminists?), I beg you, do not take this decision lightly. If the Photographer has the power to ruin the timeless memories of your wedding. The MC has the power to ruin it in real time.
2. The Compere:
Whether you choose to call this person a Compere, Host, Master of Ceremonies (Mistress maybe, feminists?), I beg you, do not take this decision lightly. If the Photographer has the power to ruin the timeless memories of your wedding. The MC has the power to ruin it in real time.
Plus your guests will never forget. And if you get all that on video, then that's pretty timeless as well. I felt uncomfortable watching some parts of the video because of a few improper jokes here and there. But no, we did not overlook this important bit. We had carefully noted that we wanted none of those crude adult rated wedding jokes and boring repetitive games.
We wanted a simple classy MC. And we did get one. We had a meeting with him and he perfectly understood our needs, and fit in with out plans. And then on the Thursday before the wedding, there was some sort of emergency and he had to leave the country. So we didn’t really get a chance to communicate properly with the replacement MC.
At some point in my mind, I may have rolled my eyes at the jokes. My friend who is planning her wedding recently said to me "It's better people don't remember your MC than they do - for the wrong reasons". I agree with her.
The MC could really make everything a drag. Honestly, it doesn't take too much to host such events in my opinion. So if you can't afford some of these MCs, simply have a friend who you trust do it! And make sure you have a discussion with such person so they know what you expect on that day, and other necessary information.
3. The Bride!:
Ta-da. I'm sure you were wondering what the final bit of this will be. Well well, for me it's the bride. But not so much because I'm fussy. In fact, I couldn't be bothered and I got my dress like 6 weeks before the wedding and it was pretty much the second dress I tried on.
3. The Bride!:
Ta-da. I'm sure you were wondering what the final bit of this will be. Well well, for me it's the bride. But not so much because I'm fussy. In fact, I couldn't be bothered and I got my dress like 6 weeks before the wedding and it was pretty much the second dress I tried on.
But I've put this in because "what's a wedding without the bride". Plus you know her opinion of the wedding is what really matters and she'll be the one to gush to everyone forever about how beautiful the day was.
That's what I think. At the end of the day, although want beautiful memories, the wedding is just a day! Have fun and don't go broke trying to impress. Plus if anything goes wrong, you can always write a story about it. Now if only I can get that MC's jokes out of my head…
What do you guys think? Married? What things did you consider important. Not married? What are you willing to increase the budget for to make you happy in retrospect?
That's what I think. At the end of the day, although want beautiful memories, the wedding is just a day! Have fun and don't go broke trying to impress. Plus if anything goes wrong, you can always write a story about it. Now if only I can get that MC's jokes out of my head…
What do you guys think? Married? What things did you consider important. Not married? What are you willing to increase the budget for to make you happy in retrospect?
