Guest Post – Organizing Your Wedding: Tips for Every Culture

When you are planning your wedding, the stress can become overwhelming. Before you know it, what is supposed to be the most exciting moment of your life can become something you are actually dreading.

That is why many cultures find ways to assist the bride-to-be in planning and organizing her special day — ideally, helping minimize the stress that so often accompanies it. Of course, every culture will have unique wedding traditions, as well as unique means of helping out their brides. No matter what the details surrounding your particular wedding, however, following a few simple tips can help make it a wonderful day for everyone involved.

Hispanic cultures

Hispanic cultures are famous for their rich and delicious food. If you are a member of a Hispanic family, or are marrying into one, consider handing the food preparation and menu over to the more culinarily gifted of your family members.

Many Hispanic families do not hire separate caterers for their wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners and similar events. Instead, the food preparation is often carried out by aunts and grandmothers in order to provide the family with great food prepared from family recipes and traditions. This can take a major load off your shoulders, as the menu is often one of the most important, expensive and complex elements of a wedding. Be sure to find a wedding location that does not have a policy in place that prevents you from having outside food brought in.

Indian weddings

Indian weddings are often elaborate and luxurious affairs. With all the pomp and circumstance, they still are often an amazingly family-centered event. The bride-to-be in an Indian family is often a very lucky girl. Parents and family members generally pay for all or part of the event, and family members are very involved in all aspects of the planning — often even participating in ceremonies at the event. If you are an Indian bride, you should make sure that sometimes you simply stand back and let your family assist with all of the wedding-day chores.

Traditional American

If you are planning a traditional American wedding, leaning on your bridesmaids, groomsmen and other members of the wedding party for help is really the best policy.

Bridesmaids can be entrusted with many wedding chores and can be counted on for emotional support throughout the process as well. At the least, they will assist in planning your bridal shower and bachelorette party. Groomsmen are generally less involved with planning, but they are always ready to pitch in with any necessary wedding day lifting or moving. Try to show your thanks for your friends’ help during your special day by presenting them small groomsmen’s and bridesmaids’ gifts at your rehearsal dinner.

No matter your culture, try to focus on your upcoming marriage and not solely on your wedding. Try not to sweat the small stuff, and remember to take advantage of offers of help from loved ones when you need it. If you view your wedding as a day of celebration instead of an elaborate event you must ensure goes perfectly, you will probably have a much more enjoyable time. In the end, you and your new husband still have the rest of your life together afterwards!

Guest post contributed by Aditi Jain, on behalf of Sareez.com. Aditi is a freelance writer and also designs Indian Sarees for weddings and other special occasions.