The Start of a Journey: Preparing for Married Life
February 9, 2016 12:51 pmWhether you are heading off on holiday, travelling around the world, commencing a new career or committing to follow an ambition, the start of a new journey begins with a period of planning and preparation. This not only helps us to ensure that we are making the right choices, but it also allows us to anticipate and get excited about what is ahead.
Marriage is one of the biggest journeys that you are likely to embark on in your life. It could certainly be one of the longest paths that you will follow. For this reason, it should be something that is thoroughly considered and planned for. This may sound far from a spontaneous, instant love at first sight romance of the movies, but preparing for this journey is important for its success.
In the early days of a partnership, it can feel like every problem has been solved, every challenged brushed away, but no relationship is endlessly positive. A marriage needs work. There will be problems, challenges and unexpected events that test even the most devoted couple. In understanding each other’s priorities, perspectives and aspirations, you will be in a stronger position to ride the storms.
Wedding Planning
What we do tend to plan for at the start of a marriage is the wedding. When we understand that the wedding ceremony is a celebration of the love and commitment of two people, rather than a chance for a good party, we can start to create an event that reflects what is important.
There are endless magazines, blogs, television shows, images and people to tell you what a perfect wedding should look like. With celebrity weddings widely reported in the media, wedding shows and attendance at the weddings of friends and family, we can be drawn into the idea that a wedding has to fit a particular mould in order to be a success.
These other weddings may be a good source of inspiration, but to enjoy a wedding that is perfect for you, it is important to consider your own priorities and personality. If a grand venue, designer dress and classic car really aren’t your thing, you are going to feel out of place at your own wedding.
Financing a Wedding: What are your Priorities?
It is easy for the costs of a wedding to spiral, yet the last thing that anyone needs at the start of the marriage journey is to be strapped for cash. Whilst you want a memorable occasion and an enjoyable honeymoon, you don’t want to spend the first few years of marriage with the stress of financial problems. For this reason, it is worth starting by agreeing a budget.
In order to stick to this budget, the next step is to agree on the priorities. Who do you really want to share your big day with? What will make the day special for you? Is it more important that you splash out on food and drink, wedding car hire or the venue? Do you want to pay for a professional photographer that will capture the day, have you always wanted dance lessons so you can pull off a first dance that will be a memory that you hold onto forever or a spectacular fireworks display that ends the event on a high?
Be Original
As with most things in life, if you try to everything on a grand scale, the impact is lost. When it comes to weddings, over complicating things can lead to an organisational headache and a day where you are too busy to enjoy the company. Keeping things simple, with a few really highlights that have real meaning, will help to create an enjoyable day.
A meal in your favourite Thai restaurant, afternoon tea in a vintage marquee or breakfast in a country farmhouse might be more you than a three course meal or buffet at a typical wedding venue. A tuk tuk, retro campervan or a 4×4 vehicle from 4×4 Vehicle Hire might be your preference for wedding car hire. The idea is to be original, be true to yourselves and spend the day with people who you love being around. It makes for the ideal start for an important journey.