It's been about a month and I can't really get over how well everything went. I was over the moon. It was the perfect blend of music, dance, humour and love. Over the past couple of months, I learned a great deal from my friends, family, and vendors. So I thought I would share the top wedding day tips from the pros behind our big day for everyone, especially those planning their own or helping to plan one!
1. your wedding day. own it.
Reverend Mitchell Clarke says that 'you will never have another day like this one so totally own it. This is your special day so fully enjoy it. Make it your own. I always tell couples they are the boss, it is your wedding day. Leading up to the wedding listen to what others have to say if it agrees with what you want then use it, if it doesn’t then feel free to exclude it.'
Reverend Mitchell Clarke's pro tip to couples is to 'do your best to visualize your wedding ceremony (without getting nervous) and imagine what it will be like. Do you feel good about what you envision? If so that’s great! If not, then change it. Do your best to enjoy the journey leading up to your wedding day.'
2. hire a coordinator or planner
My friend Mandy who is also a wedding coordinator was traveling at the time of the wedding but at the very start, she taught me a bunch of wedding things that really helped me kick off planning. From chatting with her, I knew that I could really benefit from a professional wedding coordinator.
We met with Laura of Gautreaux Events - who was no stranger to organizing weddings and events. I had seen her in action orchestrating various dance events before and I knew I could rely on her for our intimate production. Especially since our theme was music and dance, it was kind of a perfect fit.
When deciding on getting help from a friend or family member or hiring help, I think this depends on what kind of day you are envisioning. I think whenever possible, it's best to leave it to the pros. Take it from Laura who says that 'any family member, friend, or acquaintance can be a coordinator or planner however at the end of the day, hiring someone who has experience in quick problem solving could be a better option. That way, you know you will be in good hands for sure.'
3. Include buffer time.
Miya of JuMi Story says that her top tip as a photographer would be 'to leave buffer time for the photo sessions. A lot of unexpected things usually happen on the day, and if there is more than enough time planned in the schedule, you would still get to take photos with your love and those who love you, even if things like makeup/hair took a bit longer.'
4. STAY HYDRAted.
My trusted MUA Annie of ACmakeup highlights the importance of staying hydrated and taking care of your skin and body. 'To ensure your wedding makeup looks flawless, your daily skincare routine is very important - especially hydration. When skin is dry, foundation will go on blotchy with dry patches, and will run off easily. Make sure to exfoliate once a week or every other week depending on your skin type, and treat yourself to good hydrating products for the face and eyes. '
5. research, discuss, & plan.
Wesley, our good friend and MC, says 'don't procrastinate! Unexpected interruptions will arise, so start early and be ahead. Don't hesitate to speak and check with friends and family who recently got married. They would have helped you done a lot of the homework already. Sometimes spending a quick hour or two with them is better than you re-inventing the wheel.'
6. ENJOY it.
LoveBug Wedding Cinema's Angela and Alex suggest that 'while it's very easy to get caught up with everything that day, don't forget to take a moment to stop and look around at everything and everyone that came to celebrate. The day goes by really fast, so enjoy it!'
7. Not all will be perfect but that's A-OK.
Cutest moment goes out to our flower girl for dumping the basket full of petals before she even got to the aisle!
I think one of the most valuable tips you can get is that not all will be perfect but that's A-OK.
Our DJ Leon, says that 'no matter what happens, it's always the best that has ever happened. You could spend months and months of hardwork preparing for it, but at the end, there will always be unexpected things. From projectors, to speakers, to sound... it could just be anything! Just let it go and enjoy the night is what matters the most. The guests are happy when the bride and groom are happy.'Sometimes, things even turn out better than expected. Ceremony musician, Ming, says that 'at first I thought that acoustic might be an issue since we are only playing in a oval shaped area but since the whole building is metal and glass structured the very ambient music we played for the wedding ceremony got well reflected to the guests.'
Kelsey and Daren's, Katsura Designs, #1 wedding day tip is `don't expect perfection on your wedding day - instead focus on the big picture. There will always be things that are out of your control such as weather or availability of specific flowers - so it is always best to just go with the flow. No matter what, your day will be "perfect" if you allow it to be and any thing that goes "wrong" will just make your day all that more memorable. Remember all the family and friends that are there to show their love and support on your special day and embrace every moment, good or imperfect.'
Venue: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Day of Coordinator: Gautreaux Events
Fresh Flowers & Rentals: Katsura Designs
Makeup & Hair: ACmakeup and team
Dress: Bisou Bridal
Photography: JuMi Story
DJ: Leon Chang
Master of Ceremonies: Wesley Wong and Kenny Mugisha
Special thanks: to our families, wedding party, Dancin Stars, Theoretik crew, and all our helpers
