My fiance and I toyed with the idea of seeking professional help with planning our wedding, but as two bona fide Hongkongers - and with the motto that whatever money we saved could be splurged on the honeymoon - we were hesitant to accept that it would really be worth paying someone else to tell us where to find what in our home town.
Most wedding websites will prioritise tasks for you, but just remember to take their timelines with a generous pinch of salt. You should have found your dress nine months in advance, according to some experts. Relax - dresses don't take as long as human beings to come into existence, and especially not in Hong Kong. Of course, the sooner you start the more relaxed you will feel, but a safe lead time would be five to six months, to allow time for alterations and any unforeseen circumstances.
With dress ideas and wedding themes floating around your head, it's time to decide when and where the big day will take place. Finding the answers to these questions is paramount, not just from the point of view of booking a venue and sending out invitations, but also when it comes to the bride's, groom's and bridal party's attire.
Bearing in mind the time of year, do you envisage an indoor or outdoor wedding, traditional or contemporary in theme, casual or formal in style? Here, you can really afford to just dream. Whatever sits right with you (and not what your parents or friends are telling you) is the thing to go for.
And with the recently implemented legislation allowing weddings in Hong Kong to be held at any time of day and just about anywhere, the sky's the limit.
Having booked the venue and confirmed that it can hold all of your guests (expect around two thirds and plan for three quarters of the number you invite), it's never too early to start looking at wedding invitations. You should factor in time for printing (remembering any pesky public holidays) and, of course, mailing overseas. Aim to have invitations in your guests' hands six weeks before the big day, and set up an e-mail account for RSVPs. If you're having a gift registry, include the link to the registry on your invitations.
