The British Army uses the 7 Ps as an expression for strategic planning which goes along the lines of "Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance", It's kind of funny and quite memorable, especially with that little swear word in the middle! If it works for the military then it might work for you too! Now, I'm not saying that you should plan your wedding day like a military operation; heavily armed and waving a gun around making sure you get exactly what you want! #bridezilla! But being highly organised will go along way.
When you think about how we can use this expression to ensure that your wedding meets with your expectations, it's a good idea to shorten it to a more comfortable 5 Ps which is "Piss Poor Planning Prevents, Perfection". If you remember this one tip from this article then you will be well on your way to planning your perfect wedding.
Want to know the story of when I first heard about this expression? Read below... Oh! and there's a list to help you get organised.
So what else can you do to ensure you have the most perfect wedding possible?
Take a read of some of my tips below as they may help you to think about your day and what kind of wedding you want it to be.
Tip 1 - Make it personal
Make sure to bring out your own 'individual' style, make your wedding day unique and personalised, and make sure it's about you as a couple. Don't be afraid to be quirky or do things a little different. Your guests will love learning more about you as a couple, and they will be telling everyone about how much fun it was. I've seen wizard of Oz themes, lego themes and model aeroplanes as centre pieces around the wedding breakfast tables, so remember, anything goes, it's your wedding day so be you.
Tip 2 - Don't stress
You should try your best to eliminate any stress during the build-up to your wedding day. The best advice is to try and plan early. You will both be buzzing about getting married, and you should enjoy the journey, so remember the 5 P's and start your planning. An additional tip would be to have a relaxed night before your wedding day, have a nice meal with your bridesmaids and parents and don't drink too much alcohol, drink plenty of water, so you are hydrated and look your best on the big day. Same advice for the boys but they never listen ;-)
Tip 3 - Keep your guests informed
Send out your invitations early so people can plan for your wedding day if you haven't sorted them out pick up the phone and talk to your guests and then follow up with a 'save the date' card or fridge magnet. You will find that 10%-15% of the guests you invite won't be able to make it due to location or time of year, so knowing who will be attending will help you to plan your day better and organise the wedding breakfast seating plan. Also remember, your guests may want to buy a new wedding outfit, or you may have guests that have to travel a long distance, or from abroad, so they will be super appreciative of the advanced heads up that you are getting married.
A few other top tips for keeping your guests informed:
- Look at hotels nearby and send them a list,
- Try not to book hotel rooms for guests as this will add to your stress levels
- Make sure your guests know the address of your venues with clear instructions on times and parking.
Tip 4 - Leave plenty of time to enjoy your day and party hard!
Your wedding day will go by in a flash, with tons of laughs and even a few tears. One moment you are anticipating the day ahead, and the next moment it's the first dance already! So, make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy your day from the moment you wake up right to the evening partying. Work with your photographer and wedding planner to leave gaps so you can enjoy your guests and each other. One thing I always do is to give my couples 5 mins break right after the wedding ceremony together to enjoy the moment, away from the guests before they walk down the confetti tunnel at to the group shots.
Tip 5 - Remember the 5 Ps
I learnt this phrase from a friend of mine when we used to cycle together around the local area. Every time I got a puncture and didn't have a spare tube or ran out of fluid on a long 60-mile ride, he would shout out to me "Remember the 5 P's Rob", "Piss, Poor, Planning, Prevents, Perfection" - It makes me laugh even now but back then I used to think, "He's right again the...". Anyway, this is quite an important thing to remember because planning out your wedding day will save you a ton of stress leading up to the big day. Here is a quick list of things to help you get organised:
- Make a list of all your wedding guests, even the ones you are not thinking of inviting
- Make a list of all your wedding suppliers
- Speak with your venue and photographer to work out your timings of the day
- Keep an eye on your budget as things can get wildly out of hand
- Write down all the dates you need to pay deposits by; not all suppliers have the same payment schedules
- Have a plan B for the unpredictable wet weather wedding