How To Plan Your Dream Wedding With 20 Questions

So you’re about to get hitched. Congratulations! But more importantly, good luck!

Much has been said about how hectic wedding planning is, especially your own, but don't let this intimidate you into settling with a ceremony you're not entirely happy with. Here's how you can give yourself and your partner (because he should be part of this too!) the inspiration you need to visualize your perfect wedding.

First, have a sit-down with your partner and with this set of questions, look back and take note of the little things that make your relationship special. After all, the most genuine wedding is the most beautiful.

1. Where did you first meet?

Love to be sentimental? We do, too! This special place could easily be your wedding venue or your reception area. Or how about a pre-wedding shoot?

2. Where was your first out-of-town trip as a couple?

Maybe you’d like to revisit it, but to tie the knot this time. Sounds like a solid reason for a destination wedding!

3.  What is your dream date like?

Recalling or visualizing your dream date can give you ideas on what you want your wedding theme to be. Is it an intimate indoor date or a relaxing outdoor picnic?

4. What is your favourite time of the year?

A summer wedding is always vibrant and perky, but who said winter-themed weddings can't be just as fun?

5. Where do your families usually go for celebrations?

It’s also kind to consider how flexible the majority of your guests would be with regards to the venue. Don't let logistical problems slash your guest list!

6.  Who knows you best as a couple?

Your best friends? Your favourite thirdwheel? They could be the perfect people to give speeches and make the toasts. Just get ready for some roasting, though!

7. What activities are you and your friends into?

The success of your wedding program is largely dependent on your guests. You could have the best host and the perfect program but if your guests aren't the type to respond to the games or segments you prepared, it might all be for nothing.

Make sure you take into consideration the common personalities and behavior of your guests!

8. What is the first concert you both attended?

Now this is an easy way to select the songs for your wedding playlist. Or if the budget permits, you can take it up a notch and even relive the experience by inviting the artist to your reception!

9. What is that one film that’s special to you as a couple?

May it be the first movie you watched together or the one that really spoke to you as a couple, you can borrow a few elements of the film and incorporate them into the ceremony. How sweet would that be?

10. What is your favorite song or poem?

There are a lot of possibilities for this one! You can have your favorite song played during your first dance, or have your favorite poem read during the processional.

11. Do you have a ‘fur baby’?

Everybody loves it when a pet walks down the aisle! If it’s been trained and you’re aiming for the cute, your beloved fur baby could be part of the processional!

12. What flower instantly perks you up?

No need to check what's the flower that's on trend right now. Just think of that special one that instantly lifts your mood and you could already have an idea of how your bouquet will look like, or even the color palette of your wedding.

13. What color describes your relationship?

Speaking of color palettes, you could also base it on this. The overall colours of the venue ultimately sets the mood so make sure to get it right — and personal.

14. What is your go-to dish?

Let's talk about food! Zero in on your favorites as a couple and serve them with love; who would even dare complain? Don't forget to ask your guests for their dietary restrictions, though!

15. What is your signature drink?

One of the first questions people ask upon knowing you're engaged: will there be an open bar?! So if you're planning to have one, make sure to request your favorites! Rum Colas and margaritas, anyone?

16. What crafts or hobbies are you into?

Your childhood hobby of macramé or collaging could be manifested as wedding favors. Guests always love thoughtful favors!

17. What's the quote or motto you live by as a couple?

Have it embossed on note cards or engraved on souvenir items!

18. What is your ‘pet name’ for each other?

Do away with the formal invitation and use your quirky nicknames, or come up with a wedding hashtag using those. Check out our blog on the best wedding hashtags!

19. What is the book that resonates with you both?

Borrow a line and use it to cap off the thank-you cards for guests.

20.  What sentimental item are you going to be wearing?

Some brides opt for their mother’s (or grandmother’s) wedding dress, but you could also go for smaller items like pendants or brooches.

The 20 questions for wedding planning were originally by Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings. (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/326264/20-questions-help-design-your-big-day).

How to Pull Off an Intimate Wedding

1. Choose a strategic venue

Since intimate weddings are most often done in outdoor venues, you shouldn't limit yourself to that. Find a place that has a special spot in your relationship - a space where you feel that everyone will be carefree and won’t hesitate to have fun! Of course, you should consider if it's big enough to accommodate you and your guests despite the scaled-down guest list. We still need to practice social distancing, after all!

2. Trust your heart on who to invite

Go with what your heart is telling you! You only have a limited number of guests you can invite, so they should be those who you really want to be there. No half-heated invites! So yes, your favorite hairdresser's cousin should sit this one out. Make sure you reach out to those who didn't make the list, though! You don't want anyone feeling hurt.

3. Put a personal touch on details

Having a small wedding gives you more chances to personalize details! You may put special elements that speak about your relationship, your personality, and the life you envision with each other. Who said DIY isn't fun? Think of it as a bonding activity with your soon-to-be husband, too!

4. Go low-key

One of the best things about intimate weddings is that there's not much pressure to be this or that. You can just be who you really are, celebrating how you really want to. This is because you're surrounded by the most special people in your life, those who really love and appreciate you. So dress however you want, use that weird shade of orange, or switch the ball gown to a simple, flowy dress!

5. Be open to help

Even if you're planning an intimate wedding, there are a lot of things to be done. And unless you and your fiance have the luxury of time to actually be running around and dealing with suppliers, you should be open to people that are willing to help you make your special day dazzling and one of the books. After all, it's your wedding, and you have the final say on everything!

How is an Intimate Wedding Different from the Usual?

The term 'intimate wedding' has become a buzzword since more and more people started to realize that the pandemic is set to make significant and lasting changes to the wedding industry. It's been around for a long time, but it wasn't as mainstream as it is now. So to answer your question, here are a few things that set it apart from the usual weddings!

Guest list

Let's start off with the obvious. As you know by now, an intimate wedding allows you to stick to a smaller guest list. Think 50 guests or less. We know trimming the guest list would be a struggle especially that Filipinos are strongly filial, and for sure there will be upset titas because they didn't make it to the list. Just make sure to communicate well with them, that you're opting for an intimate wedding. During this time, it's the safer option, too!

Planning

Traditional weddings require a lot of work - more suppliers needed, more activities to keep your guests entertained,and a bigger venue! Once you go for an intimate wedding, making plans is easier - spot the right suppliers and think of the stress that you won't be dealing with impressing the guests.

Budget

Fewer guests mean more money saved! You can work with a budget and still have a marvelous wedding. If there's an extra, you can get more bang for your buck when you spend more on fewer people.

Experience

Your wedding is one of the most memorable days of your life. And an intimate one allows you to create more personal memories, as you can spend more time with all your guests. No rushed photo ops, just a laidback celebration of love!

Expectations

Since intimate weddings are more relaxed, there will be fewer things and logistics to worry about. You won't have to worry about disappointing anyone because there will be fewer expectations to live up to. Remember, when it comes to your wedding, you do you!