The idea of planning a wedding can be very hectic especially for Chinese wedding from creating a budget, draft your guest list to booking the appropriate caterers, vendors, venue etc. and last but not least making sure you look perfect for the wedding by getting an amazing dress and getting beauty treatments done ahead of time.
This is some of the process that I have gone through to prepare for my wedding which will be held on year 2020 if you are following traditional Chinese wedding. Hope below checklist can provide some guide.
6 -12 months before the wedding day (after the proposal)
1) Have a meeting session between both family parents to announce wedding and discuss details like wedding date, what type of ceremony, dowry etc.
2) Pick a right wedding date and time according to birth date
3) Decide on a wedding budget (a must)
4) Register your marriage (R.O.M)
5) Survey on wedding venue, caterer, event planner
6) Plan for pre-wedding photoshoot
7) Book your make up artist in advance for your ROM
4 - 5 months before the wedding
1) Finalized guest list
2) Get ready your 'heng dai' and 'ji mui'
3) Decide on theme of wedding
4) Select outfits for your bridesmaid and best man
5) Get your pre-wedding photoshoot done as it take about 2 - 3 months to ready
6) Book your florist (wedding bouquet)
7) Book event planner and entertainment band
2 -3 months before the wedding date
1) Plan your wedding itinerary and ceremony formalities
2) Both side family start preparing the Guo Da Li (过大礼) ceremony
3) Book wedding photographer or videographer
4) Book make up artist and hairstylist for wedding day
5) Hire caterer for the morning tea ceremony
6) Select your wedding playlist and pass to your event planner
7) Decide on your sang keh mu (大妗姐)
8) Send out wedding invitation
1 month before the wedding
1) Delegate task to your wedding party
2) Final fitting for wedding dress or kuan kua (裙褂)
3) Decide on seating arrangement
4) Confirm with vendors that everything is in order
5) Confirm wedding day programme with event planner, emcee etc.
6) Have the Guo Da Li (过大礼) ceremony
2 - 1 week before the wedding
1) Ensure all guest have RSVP their seat
2) Purchase small gift for guest as a token of thanks
3) Confirm with sang keh mu (大妗姐) about itinerary for wedding day
4) Conduct An Chuang (安床) ceremony or best know as The Matrimonial Bedsetting Ceremony
5) Prepare cheques in advance to pay vendors
1 day before the wedding
1) Pack all your wedding day items and pass it to the person in charge
2) Check that you have everything (wedding dress, accessories, bouquet, etc)
3) Send wedding car for decoration
4) Ensure the ji mui is ready with their game plan
5) Perform the Shang Tou (上头) or hair combing ceremony at night before sleep
With this wedding checklist, I hope it will help reduce some stress on you while planning and may your dream wedding come true.
~ HAPPY WEDDING ~
