THE dreamy white gown, the flowers, the family and friends and the "I do." Or the gorgeous red gown or gowns, the flowers, the banquet, the ganbeis and hongbao (red envelopes of money for the couple). Whatever color or style, simple or sophisticated, arranging the perfect wedding and banquet is a daunting task, especially for the bride and her family.

Immense and meticulous preparation, a lot of time - and a great deal of money - are usually required.

Preparation often starts a year in advance, sometimes earlier because prime banquet venues are crowded and in demand.

For you, the bride, there are around 10 priority tasks. You may well need help from friends and people who have been through all these before since it's easy to get anxious and fretful with so many tasks and so little time.



Wedding feast

Booking space for a wedding banquet is the priority. If you are determined to have the ideal hall for the wedding feast, it is never too early to start looking and booking. Every year crowds of newlyweds are looking for the perfect place and time. Most want the festivities on weekends in desirable golden season such as May Day holiday and October Golden Week. Thus, you'd better start making inquiries and booking a year in advance - at least.

The ideal setting is a spacious hall without many pillars blocking the guests' sight of the stage. Hotels are usually the first choice, since they have the proper environment, equipment, staff and services. They may provide a bridal chamber for free. Some couples prefer hotels with gardens or lawns for a Western-style lawn ceremony.

If a hotel hall is not available, there are wedding halls in big restaurants, which may well cost less. The food may be better than hotel fare.

When booking, you should know about how many guests you plan to invite, so you can book the right-sized room and number of tables.

It's also necessary to negotiate with the hotel or restaurant over provision of audio equipment, microphones, projector, screen, decorative lights - and, of course, the wedding cake and some decorations. If they are not provided or cost too much, you should order them later with your wedding service agency.

Decide on the menu and order it as soon as possible because prices are going up.



Wedding photos

Romantic pre-wedding photos capturing perfect moments are essential for a perfect wedding. In addition to the huge framed photo that is traditionally hung in the bridal chamber, various smaller framed photos or accessories with photos (cups, calendars, paper weights) are also nice decorations for the bridal chamber. You don't have to fill it with photos, but one or two create a happy and romantic atmosphere.

Well-made photo albums make good entertainment for guests who visit the bridal chamber to share your happiness.

Generally, it is advised to take pre-wedding photos at least a month before the wedding to allow time for processing, printing and framing. Six months in advance is even better.

Famous photo studios once were the place to go, but today smaller studios and workshops are more popular due to lower prices and diversified styles.

Service agency

Hiring a wedding service agency can save a lot of headaches. Agencies provide package service covering all essentials, such as ceremony planning, car rentals, decoration of the banquet hall and anything else you need.

The package service is usually standard, without many different options. Of course, newlyweds can get additional services if they pay more.

Booking one or two months in advance is usually enough if there are no specific requirements.



Four Devarajas

The term Four Devarajas, the legendary Buddhist guardian gods, now refers to the four most important workers for a wedding ceremony and feast - master of ceremonies, official photographer, video cameraman and cosmetician.

Generally, wedding service agencies provide the Four Devarajas in a standard package. But many newlyweds like to hire some of them themselves.

Professional emcees play an important role since they set the tone - classic, funny, romantic, or lively. A friend good at public speaking may also be a good choice for a more informal and individualized celebration.



Invitations

Of course, you should need an estimate of the number of guests when booking the banquet hall. But one or two months before the wedding, that list must be final.

Considering the limited seats, you cannot have all your friends and relatives. It's advised to make a list of guests in different important categories. Direct relatives usually have priority; others including colleagues, classmates and friends can be arranged according to closeness. A respected person should be invited as the chief witness of the ceremony who gives a blessing to the bride and bridegroom.

Make the first guest list and extend invitations by phone, text, e-mail at least a month in advance. If some cannot make it, you can invite others.

One or two weeks before the wedding, send out invitations. Confirm whether they have been received and whether guests can come.

Make table arrangements in the final week. It's better to place people who know each other together to make sure everybody has fun. Make a seating plan of table arrangements so that guests can seat themselves easily.



Work team

Apart from the staff of wedding agencies, you still need a preparatory team - a best man, a bridesmaid, a chief coordinator and other helpers.

Hold a kick-off meeting at least two weeks before the wedding and give everyone brief assignments. They may include carrying equipment, dresses, candies, guiding guests, paying the bill and collecting the hongbao.

The chief coordinator should have a list of everyone's assignment and contact numbers.

The couple

The bride and bridegroom should look their very best on the big day, with elegant clothes and grooming.

The bride usually needs four gowns on the wedding day - a wedding gown for the day, a wedding gown for the night, an evening gown and a Chinese-styled dress. The bride can either buy or rent; renting is popular since they are seldom worn again. Rent or buy at least a month in advance to make sure the fit is perfect and call a tailor if necessary. Try everything on again on the night before the wedding.

A fit dark suit is basic for the bridegroom. It is also acceptable for the bridegroom to change together with the bride.

Settle on the makeup, hairstyle and ornaments with the cosmetician in advance. You don't want to deal with this on the wedding day.

To ensure the best complexion on the wedding day, the bride should start taking special care of her skin at least a month in advance. Hair should not be cut too short, since longer hair is needed for many hairstyles.

The bridegroom should get a haircut a few days before the wedding, so that it looks natural on the wedding day.



Bridal chamber

The bridal chamber should be ready the night before the wedding. In addition to basic furnishings and decoration, small decorations with happy and lucky symbols are necessary.

The Chinese character xi (happiness) should be applied on furniture, windows, mirrors and doors. Make the bed with red sheets.

Fresh flowers add a romantic atmosphere. Peanuts, eggs, jujubes, longan and a couple of dolls on the bed all symbolize best wishes for the newborn baby. The items can also be placed in zisuntong, literally meaning bucket of offer-spring.



Rehearsal

The bride, bridegroom and parents from both sides should have a clear idea of the complete plan on the wedding day.

A parent from each side should prepare a speech expressing best wishes to the newlyweds. And it is also better for the newlyweds to rehearse some parts of the ceremony in advance if time allows.



Share the happiness

The bride and bridegroom are the happiest people and want to share their happiness with others. It's a tradition to place wedding candies on the tables for guests and give them to others who cannot attend.

Giving a small hongbao to the service people and helpers is appreciated. It doesn't have to be a lot of money, but the notes should be fresh.

The big day and there's still lots to do

Joyce Zhang

With all the preparations finally completed, there's no letup or time to rest on the wedding day. The big day, though making the newlyweds among the happiest people in the world, also makes them among the busiest, despite their many helpers.

In many cases, they have a full schedule from dawn to dusk. They have to work around 15 hours in the day, but it's pleasant toil. For the bride

7-8am - Get up, tidy the room and get prepared for makeup. Wear clothes with buttons, not pull-overs.

8-10am - The cosmetician arrives and starts making up the bride.

9-10am - The bridesmaids, relatives and close girlfriends arrive and prepare challenges and questions for the bridegroom. The photographer arrives and takes a few shots of the bride's room.

10:30am - Get firecrackers ready at the building threshold. Set off the firecrackers when the bridegroom and the wedding cars arrive.

10:30-11am - Relatives and girlfriends challenge the bridegroom and his helpers before they approach the bride. The challenges can be a quick oral quiz about the bride, performances and promises. The statement of being a perfect husband is always required.

7:30-8:30am - Get up, tidy the room, get dressed and make sure the hair is right.

8-9am - The best man and helpers arrive.

9-10am - Get the wedding cars decorated at the florist shop. Get the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres (buttonhole flowers) and corsages for best man, bridesmaid or maids and both parents.

10-10:30am - Drive to the bride's home with video cameraman starting to work.

10:30-11am - Try to get to the bride by overcoming all challenges. Propose again to the bride and put the ring on her finger.

When the bridegroom gets to the bride:

11am-11:30am - Serve tea respectfully to the bride's parents to show gratitude.

Eat jujube and lotus seeds soup prepared by the bride's parents, a traditional way of expressing wishes for a baby.

Parents give their blessings and send the newlyweds off to the wedding cars.

The bride's mother helps the bride change into new shoes before setting off to her new home.

11:30am-12pm - Light firecrackers and drive to the new home of the newlyweds.

More firecrackers when arriving.

12-12:30pm - Serve tea respectfully to the bridegroom's parents to show gratitude.

Eat jujube and lotus seeds soup prepared by the bridegroom's parents.

Parents give their blessing.

12:30-2pm - Lunch.

2-5pm - Take photographs of the couple outdoors.

5-6pm - Receive guests at the hotel or restaurant.

6-8:30pm - Wedding ceremony and feast begins.

8:30-9pm - Get packed and set off for the bridal chamber.

9-10pm - Bridal chamber pranks, a saucy favorite of young guests.