5 Tips on how to choose your Perfect Wedding Planner

First off, you deserve a big hug for deciding you need a wedding planner. Couple’s who don't have wedding planners need to rely on their friends and family to really be the backbone of the wedding and this means friends and family cannot enjoy the party.

The first thing you need to do, is research to select a few wedding planners that are available on your wedding date and that you feel suits your style and budget. Then arrange for a meeting in a comfortable, quiet and calm environment for you to interview your wedding planner (and your wedding planner to interview you).

You should know that not all wedding planners are created equal. On paper, their services may all look similar (or identical), but every planner’s services are different because the planners themselves are different. Here’s some tips on how to navigate through your meeting with your prospective planners and how to decide who is the best fit for you and your wedding.

Tip # 1: Recommendations

Ask friends and family for referrals. Research options online and when you find a planner you’re interested in, look at their website, read their client reviews, fan them on Facebook, follow them on pinterest, even read their blog if they have one. This gives you a great idea of who they are before you even step in their door.

Tip # 2: Style, Taste and Connection

Don't be afraid to ask questions, you want to hear their ideas and concepts, their opinions and recommendations so that you can gauge their character. This gives you an idea whether the planner’s taste and style suits your own. You should also be able to “click” with your planner because you will be spending a lot of time with them and if you don’t like spending time with them, why hire them? Your planner will be your best friend for the next few months.

Tip # 3: Scope of Work

Most wedding planners have either a full service package or a on-the -day package, be honest about where you need help. If you don't have the time and patience to plan the entire wedding, get the planner for the full deal. Be comfortable with the planner’s package and be up front about what you expect from the start so that everyone knows the direction of the wedding.

Tip # 4: Portfolio

Look through their portfolio and let the planner explain about their previous weddings, you will then get an idea of the planner’s design aesthetics and style. Ask about certain elements that stand out to you and ask for insights of how the planner handles the design and concept of the wedding plus the different vendors involved.

Tip # 5: Listen

You want to get someone that listens to you and someone you will listen to. After all, you are getting a professional for his/her professional opinion so you must feel that you can trust your planner’s opinion and recommendation and that you will listen to the planner’s ideas.

Happy hunting!

Five Crazy Reasons Why You Must Hire A Wedding Planner (Things that wedding planners will never tell you but wishes you knew)

You have been dreaming about your wedding ever since you were a little girl or if you have not got a clue about where to start, and now that you’re engaged you are excited/ overwhelmed about the planning process.

Let me give you a little insight, planning a wedding isn’t all fun and games, there’s a lot to do to prepare for your big day! Here are some secrets as to what a wedding planner does for you (that you don't know about) so that you can judge whether or not you need to hire a wedding planner.

I feel like a therapist ….

When I am forced to step in to help with family drama. My insight is to be polite, respectful and neutral (which depending on the situation may be challenging even for me). Often, meddlesome people just want to be heard out and sometimes need to be appreciated. Since I’m an independent third party, I’m able to bring neutrality to emotionally charged situations and offer a fair solution.

I do manual labor and other dreadful tasks…

I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve been on my hands and knees, sweating. I sometimes have to count the napkins and linens before they go back to the rental company. I’m talking dirty, smelly napkins, with food, gum and whatever else is on them. Talk about gross!

Or at almost every wedding help the bride wear her shoes, to getting under her skirt to bustle the gown and at the most recent event I even had to pack up a wedding suite of strewn dirty clothes and intimate wear so that the bride could be surprised at the upgraded suite the hotel was giving them. 

Just because you got cheaper rates online ...

Doesn’t mean you can do my job better than I can. Yes, you may have found lower rates on certain websites or online offers, but you don’t have access to the contract and package perks that I’m able to negotiate. Plus you got a wedding planner to help you with the logistics, the stress and the planning of your entire wedding. Not just because you wanted cheap rates, an offer always has its hidden terms. 

This is a full time job and then some…

On the big day we are steaming the bridal gown, pinning boutonnieres, making sure that the time lines are being met, making sure there are no spots on the glasses, allowing gum to be spit out in our hands before the ceremony, using our pockets as dustbins for your sweaty tissues, writing the groom’s speech at the last minute and the list goes on! Basically dealing with any situations that arise and ensuring that everything runs like clockwork.

We are quick on our feet…

I had a situation once where the florist forgot one of the bridesmaids bouquets. Within minutes I had one ready for her by gathering some flowers from the centerpiece arrangements and ribbons that I had in my emergency kit.

At another wedding as the lovebird’s ice carving was being wheeled into the venue, the waiter tripped and the birds fell slicing off their heads. Within 30 minutes we manage to bring in the resident band to perform for dinner and the ice carving was never missed. 

You get what you pay for…

The biggest mistake you can make is choosing the cheapest vendors in the hopes of saving money. Really research your vendors, because you truly get what you pay for.

We know some trade secrets and with our connections, we catch information about other vendors through the grapevine. Trust us when we disagree with your choice of vendors, there is always a valid reason. 

Having said that, most wedding planners are passionate about their work and for me all I need is a guest (someone I don't know) who comes up to you at a wedding and say “That was a job well done, it was a fantastic wedding” and all the sweat, blood and tears are forgotten. Even for the most challenging wedding I have even planned, when I look back at the photos all I have is great memories  and good friends.

An interview with Eileen & Leticia on How Wedding Pros Charge What They're Worth

An interview with Eileen & Leticia on How Wedding Pros Charge What They're Worth
 

Do you consult with all potential bridal clients, or do you attempt to “pre-qualify” clients in regard to budget before you meet?

Leticia : When new clients contact us, we try to “pre-qualify” them as best we can. It’s important to do this as to not waste the client's time as well as you own. Our starting prices are listed directly on our website, which has helped with the “pre-qualifying” because the client is already aware of where our pricing begins and isn’t blindsided when we share it with them on the phone.

Eileen : Both. I am happy to talk to anyone interested in our services, but I don’t want to waste their time or mine if we are not a good fit. So I ask a few clarifying questions to understand their needs and expectations.

With regard to money, “budget” is not always the best determiner because they often have no idea how much what they want costs. It doesn’t always mean they don’t have the money--more often they don’t understand how to use the money they have to get what they want. I never dismiss someone because the first number they throw out is low, because that is almost never the real number.

How do you suss out budget issues? Is the client usually forthcoming, or do you have to dig for the truth?

Leticia : We try to explain the importance of a budget. We try to be as upfront as possible about asking if a client has determined a budget for themselves or if they need assistance creating a “realistic” budget for the type of wedding they are hoping to have. I have not had any problems with the approach, and our clients appreciate our straightforwardness about it.

Many planners are uncomfortable asking about budget, but it’s necessary to guide the client in the right direction for their wedding. I want to make sure we’re making recommendations that fit within their budget and are realistic options for them. Otherwise you’re just wasting their time, and this can lead to frustration and other trust issues with the client, which is never a good situation.

Eileen : When it comes to money, people are not always completely frank, but that is usually because they have heard bad things about wedding pros and are worried. For me, the first step is building trust so they feel comfortable telling me the whole truth about what they have to spend. Then I can help them use the money they have to get as much as possible for those dollars.

It has been my experience that once they are comfortable you are not out to rob their piggy bank, they will tell you everything.

How willing are clients to come to grips with the fact that their dream wedding will cost more than they expect it to?

Leticia : I think ultimately there is a sense of shock when everything they’re dreaming of is priced out and right in front of them for the first time. Once the initial shock wears off, it’s important to have an honest conversation about what the wedding can look like based on the amount they are willing to spend.

Smart decisions are important to preserving pieces of the dream wedding. I think giving them components of the dream wedding within budget is important and can really show how valuable having an experienced wedding planner can be.

Eileen : Willing, never. But if you frame the conversation correctly and, again, build trust, you can soften the blows and help them prioritize what makes the dream and what the dream really doesn’t need. It is all in how you present the information. I never say "no" or "you can’t afford it"; I explain why spending less or doing something differently will improve the wedding.

What strategies do you use to show you are worth what you charge?

Leticia : I feel that our work speaks for itself a lot of time. However, I feel that press coverage we have received, referrals from their friends who have worked with us, and referrals from other vendors all help provide a high level of comfort in our competence and experience. Our clients understand the value in what things cost.

Cheap is cheap for a reason. They are not comfortable trusting their daughter's wedding day to someone who does this as a hobby or new to the industry. They have many society acquaintances, professional colleagues and family attending the wedding and want a professional handling the planning and execution for their event.

Eileen : Happy clients are the best thing I have found to show my worth. However, I don’t work too hard at it because if I don’t focus on it, they will not either. I explain what the fee is, what they will receive for it and that it’s flat unless they dramatically change their needs. The price is the price. It’s worked well for 11 years.

How often do you have to recommend potential clients look elsewhere because their budget is too low?

Leticia : This happens all the time, and it’s okay. As much as we’d like to help every potential client that comes through our doors, it’s just not realistic.

We have an ideal client and we limit the number of events we take each year, so it’s crucial that we are booking the clients that fit our ideal profile. I’m happy to refer those clients we are not able to help to other planners who are a better fit for their budget. The potential client we are referring out is very grateful for this little piece of referral information. So, we may not be planning their wedding, but we’ve make a fan out of this potential client by giving away a small piece of helpful information.

Eileen : If I can't help them, I will always refer to someone new in the industry who I think is good and charges less as a result.

Social media rules the world right now, but do Pinterest/Facebook/etc. lead potential clients to you who are just not in the right budget range? How do you handle this?

Leticia : I don’t think we’ve really seen clients come from social media in this way. I still feel like even if a bride saw something she liked on our Facebook or Pinterest page, she would still visit our website and see what our starting prices are and then decide if we are a fit for her budget or not.

I think that new planners starting out need to understand who their ideal client is and understand her and her needs. This helps determine who's a good candidate as a client and what budget she has. This little bit of homework can help save a lot of time and headache with clients that are not good for your brand or your bottom line.

I also think all planners need to understand how to price themselves appropriately--understand what you want to make and what expenses you incur throughout the year and how this combination should be used in calculating your fee.

Most planners I know just pull random numbers that sound good out of the air and are accepted by clients. They really haven't calculated what they need to charge in order to make a decent profit and run their business like a successful business.

Eileen : I use all these but I haven’t noticed any specific issue with budget. Mostly they are just looking for general information--not real leads. I answer their questions, tell them about our services and see what happens.

Thank you for this little insight into the challenges faced by veteran wedding planners.

5 ways to cut your wedding budget

Weddings are expensive!
If your budget is becoming a nightmare, there are a few ways to trim the costs without sacrificing your dreams or the comfort of your guest.  

Trim your wedding guest list
Everytime you add a name to your guest list, you are increasing your budget significantly. Its not just the catering costs (i.e. hotel, restaurant, venue) but also the extra favors, centerpiece, invitations, cake, etc. Don't invite anyone you haven’t talked to in five years. Don't feel obligated to let single people bring a date unless it's a long-term partner or a fiancé and avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. You can also decide to eliminate categories like “relatives more distant than first cousins” or casual friends, by not inviting anyone from these groups, you’ll help avoid hurt feelings.

 Have your cake and eat it
Wedding cakes can be a luxury, especially for a large guest list and if you have heart set on serving it as a dessert. Using the venue’s mock cake and dressing up the table or the cake with fresh flowers would be an option or think about having a smaller cake in your design and ordering less costly sheet cakes for serving.  

THE Dress 
Your wedding gown is often the easiest place to overspend – but also on the easiest area to trim costs. Take the time to shop around, look at bridal sales, rent from bridal shops or think about tailor making a simpler dress and use accessories and flowers to dress it up.  

Get Crafty- Do It Yourself
Throw a “pitch-in party” where you enlist the help of your bridal party and family to help you assemble favors; make invitations, centerpieces and other homemade inexpensive touches. From designing your own email save-the dates to self printed thank you cards, from hand written addresses to tying ribbons to your program booklets, the sky’s the limit to your D-I-Y session. Be sure to put out delicious snacks and inspiring tunes so that your friends feel like they’re at a party, not just part of an assembly line!  

Streamline your bar 
Instead of having a fully stocked bar, be imaginative and create a signature cocktail and serve 1-2 other alcoholic options for the dinner. This will drastically reduce alcohol cost and look chic at the same time. Negotiate with the venue for free corkage and opt to bring your own liquor, beer or wine from a supplier that would offer a consignment option. If you and your fiancé don't drink, consider having a dry wedding!

Don't ever forget the purpose of your wedding day: To Get Married! 

If you spend RM 5,000, you will be just as married as the couple that has spent RM 500,000. With the help of your wedding planner, you'll be surprised how planners can help you trim off the "fat" and keep you in-check with your budget.

Traditional Wedding Portraits in Myanmar

Traditional wedding portraits may be a thing of the past for most modern couples now, however, having been through one myself, I have to say, it is actually a lot of fun. Especially when you do it outside of your home country comfort zone.

Locals usually get pretty excited and proud when a foreign couple wishes to embrace their culture by donning traditional costumes and gear.

I'd particular encourage couples to do so - it's just 2 hour of photo studio fun :)

Read my personal account of the portraiture shoot in Myanmar here : http://www.midnitemessages.blogspot.com/

Meanwhile, enjoy these fun / funny photos :)

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21 Steps to a Picture Perfect Wedding

Congratulations, you are getting married! You've told your parents, emailed your friends and screamed at the top of your lungs. Now we've got to start planning your picture perfect wedding. Here is a 21-Step guide to help you along.

Step 1 Guest List & Budget Discuss with your fiancé what do you both envision for your wedding, do you want a destination wedding for just 50 friends or a grand ballroom dinner for 1000 or both. Sit down and realistically work out the guest list, don't forget the “plus-one guests” and the size of your wedding will form. Decide how much you want to spend on the wedding and who is paying for what. This will help you in your planning, right from the start. The number of people and budget plays a vital role in your planning as it shapes the complexity and overall atmosphere you will have.

Step 2 Theme & Concept Now that we’ve gotten the guest list and budgets, let’s talk about theme & concept. Have you always wanted a fairy tale wedding complete with a horse carriage or you a swanky modern wedding at a posh ballroom or did you want a laid back fun for all beach wedding. Go back to your roots, your history together and what you both are like. The wedding should be a representation of the both of you and what you like, if you can’t stand mosquitoes and sun then perhaps a ballroom is the way to go. Research online, check with friends who have gotten married, you will see photos of similar themed weddings. The first impression you get from that particular theme should shout out to you, trust your instincts. If you are planning to get a wedding planner, this is the time so that the wedding planner can help you “bring out the drawing board” and conceptualize your ideas.

Step 3 Venue Now let’s look at venues, think about locations, logistics and price. Location: If it's a destination wedding, think about a locale that your friends and family can easily get to. See if it can accommodate the number of people comfortably, check on their previous track record and recommendations. Logistics: If you have disabled guests at a venue full of steps or if it's a long drive or in a remote area. Think also about the facilities of the venue from parking, lavatories, electricity, water, linens, furniture and even mosquitoes. Price: Check the inclusions, whether there is a time limit or any other surcharges. Some venues may even have a corkage fee not only on alcohol brought in but also on external vendors brought in.

Step 4 Your Dream Team Venue sorted, we need to start on your dream team. Your dream team is the vendors that will be working with you for your big day, from the florist to the photographer; they will help make your (as cheesy at it may sound, its quite literal) dreams come true. Check out websites, speak with friends and family, get recommendations and see their work for yourself. You need to gather a dream team that shares the same vision with you, so that you can be rest assured that once you have put your trust in them, you could relax and have a good time.

Step 5 Gown & Attire We need to make you beautiful, think about the different events you will be having and what type of attire you will need to acquire for you, your fiancé and the bridal party. Some bride’s are blessed with already having a design in mind; some need some inspirations thru fashion shows and magazine. Whichever type of bride you are we are here to help. Keep an ear out for wedding gown sales, check out local designer fashion shows and be inspired by designs you see on the web and in magazines. From there make appointment to meet with the designers and be honest about what you like and dislike, if possible try on some gowns just to get an idea of what shapes suit you. When you go gown shopping, go with someone that can give you an honest opinion and don't bring an entire football team along, the final decision should be yours and not everyone else’s.

Step 6 Invitation Cards The first impression to your guests is an important one, the invitations set the formality of the events and guests can gauge what to expect from the wedding festivities. Decide whether you want couture invitation cards or run of the mill type. Start on this early in your planning because there are many details related to invites that you need to decide on (e.g. fonts, paper, color, envelopes, text). While working on the invitation cards, you can start cleaning up your guest list with addresses and proper names. You will then realize how many of your friends you don't actually have the address to.

Step 7 Wedding Cake Have your cake and eat it! Literally! Traditionally wedding cakes were suppose to bring good luck to the couple and their wedding guests, but in recent times most wedding cakes are just there as a centerpiece and is not even served. So, decide if you want to serve your wedding cake, let guest take home or whether its just there for decoration. This will determine the size and complexity of the cake. Think about designs to suit your theme and concept, then meet some bakers and try the cakes. If you are planning to serve the cake make sure it blends in with the dinner menu. If your menu is already very heavy, you might want to think of a lighter fruity cake.

Step 8 Entertainment The size of your wedding normally dictates how elaborate an entertainment you need to have. For a small cozy wedding, even an I-pod will do but for a grand ballroom a live band will do the trick. Try to find a balance between the music genre’s you like and what is generally accepted (not everyone like’s heavy metal music). Then visit the band when they are playing at an event or check out their demo DVD.

Step 9 Legalities Find out what are the procedures for the legal portion of getting married; prepare the forms, photos and information way in advance to avoid being stressed out at the last minute. Some locations will allow assist with the applications but most countries the couple themselves need to submit and apply personally.

Step 10 Details, details, details You’re almost there, fit in the little details that make the wedding you. If you caught the “Bride-zilla” bug you will probably be way ahead of this step. But if you are the carefree bride, think about special touches that you may want to include in your celebrations. From a special gesture to include a grandparent who may not be able to attend or a welcome basket for guests who have travelled from a far. Not every detail is difficult to undertake nor expensive, it just requires a little bit of imagination. Phew … half way through You've done your research; you've booked your vendors, now its time for action, getting your planning in order so that proper execution can be carried out. If you've got a wedding planner, sit down and run thru the scheme and flow of things.

Step 11 Program Work out your program in detail, plan the timing, and plan who will do speeches to who will help receive presents. After you’ve planned your program, take a step back and check to see if the program is overwhelming for the guests or too empty, you want to have a nice balance of entertainment and good company.

Step 12 To Do List Work out a to do list for your helpers (if you don't have a wedding planner) and brief everyone concern so that everyone knows their duties.

Step 13 Vows, Speeches, Readers, Announcements Start preparing your vows and speeches, remind the other speakers to do the same so that you will have plenty of time to run thru what you want to say and not leave anything out.

Step 14 Religious Details Confirm with your religious representative’s on the documentation they may require and the logistic arrangements on the day itself.

Step 15 Honeymoon Confirmed One of the most important event - the honeymoon. Don't forget to plan a getaway that the both of you will enjoy, relax and unwind. It a holiday you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Step 16 Seating Arrangements As RSVP’s come in, start planning your seating arrangement. Try to group guests who have similar interest together so that there will be conversation during dining.

Step 17 Pack your Emergency Kit Pack an emergency kit for last minute hiccups, just so that you know you are prepared. An emergency kit generally has: - For Clothing 1. Sewing kit with needles, thread, buttons, and safety pins 2. Toupee tape (for keeping clothes in place) 3. Scissors 4. Stick-on instant hemming tape 5. Clear nail polish (for runs) 6. White chalk (for masking stains) From the Pharmacy 1. Breath mints 2. Bandages 3. Blister protection 4. Antacid 5. Pain reliever For Touch-Ups 1. Blotting papers 2. Cotton swabs 3. Tweezers 4. Emery board 5. Lip balm 6. Tissues 7. Hand lotion 8. Bobby pins 9. Comb 10. Lipstick 11. Powder 12. Small mirror 13. Nail polish in the shade you're wearing

Step 18 Delivery, pick-ups and logistics Reconfirm delivery, pick-ups and arrangements. Don't forget you need a driver for your wedding car and someone to carry the gifts to the car.

Step 19 Hen's / Bachelor Party Handover the planning of your last wild night to your maid of honor/ best man and enjoy the moment. Party on!

Step 20 Spa Day Plan a day of massages and pampering just for you and your fiancé, with the entire planning you may have been stressed out but trust me, you’ve also stressed out your fiancé. So enjoy a day of relaxation together.

Step 21 Relax, why don't you Relax, you have done your very best to ensure you have a picture perfect day. Now to complete the perfect picture we need a smiling and relaxed bride. Enjoy every moment because time flies by and you know you deserve it.

Two Minutes with Wedding Venue | Ms Nguyen Hoang Cam Tu, the Sales & Marketing Support for the Palm Garden Resort in Hoi An, Vietnam

One of our most favourite location in Vietnam – Hoi An, which is recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Hoi An Ancient Town’s buildings and street plans is an example of exceptionally well-preserved history and heritage influences dating back to the 15^th century when Hoi An was one of the important trading harbour for South-East Asia. Today, visiting the Old City of Hoi An brings about a nostalgia of sorts, transporting you back to the days of street peddlers, quaint shops selling antiquities and curios and the non-existence of motorized vehicles (for the latter, there are certain times of the day where motorized vehicles are not permitted to enter the town, which adds to the old world charm this city still exudes).

To help you get more acquainted with venues in Hoi An for weddings, we speak to Ms Nguyen Hoang Cam Tu, the Sales & Marketing Support for the PalmGarden Resort in Hoi An, Vietnam about the resort, about weddings, Vietnamese culture & heritage and wedding clients.  

How long have you been with Palm Garden Resort?
I have been with the Palm Garden Resort for 5 years

Can you give us some background about the Palm Garden Resort to familiarize our readers who may not be acquainted with your property?

Influenced by Vietnam’s remarkable local culture and people, Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa is the first five star resort offering a touch of Hoi An’s traditional architectural design combined with a taste of modern luxury. Set on five hectares of gorgeous tropical gardens, Palm Garden boasts over 400 palm trees and plants right along a 220-metre stretch of Cua Dai Beach near Hoi An Ancient Town, an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Elegant and spacious guest rooms which comprise 188 wooden-designed rooms and beachfront bungalows, have been constructed from and furnished with natural materials and all feature a private balcony and modern amenities. Resort facilities encompass a deluxe spa offering a new line of Pevonia Botanica spa products, a fitness centre complete with sauna, state of the art meeting facilities, water sports activities, a private beach with fine sand and a cozy 45-metre outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens. Guests are sure to enjoy the resort’s selection of cuisine, ranging from traditional Vietnamese to international specialties at the restaurants

The Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa has been awarded The Green Hotel Standard 2010-2011 by ASEAN and for The Excellent Performance by Vietnam Economic Times and The Guide Magazine for the past six consecutive years since 2006. The resort takes great pride in serving international events such as APEC Summit in 2006, ASEAN Summit in 2007, Miss Universe in 2008, ASEAN Meeting in 2010 and Miss Earth in 2010.

These regional recognitions position the resort as one of the most glamorous retreat in Vietnam. Definitely ideal and appealing for soon-to-be-weds too!

I’m sure you would agree that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular destination for weddings despite the competition from Bali. Of course, I’m only referring to the potential clients from Malasia and Singapore. Can you elaborate more on this?    

Bali is definitely known for being a wedding paradise but if you would be surprise that Vietnam is also a wedding paradise. Vietnam has a long coast, stretching from the North to the South and naturally, there are many absolutely beautiful beaches along this coast. And then we have the highland areas as well with the luscious nature and cool weather. The hospitality, warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people and our culture are also the highlights. It all adds to a very unique experience for wedding couples looking to do destination weddings in Vietnam.  

Can you please share more information about Hoi An as the perfect wedding destination for couples?  

Hoi An is a thriving living museum that reflects the different cultures that have crossed path in the bustling trading port over the centuries. The town maintains a complex of architectural structures in excellent condition with the streets laid out in a chessboard pattern, a popular model of oriental mercantile cities in medieval times. This charming city is a sweet spot for wedding portraitures, for sure. A lot of local Vietnamese do take their pre-wedding photos here.

Hoi An is small enough that it can easily be explored on foot, which makes it a delight for visitors to wander aimlessly soaking up the old town atmosphere. You can explore the historic landmarks, laze away the hours in one of  many cafes, sample the local cuisine or take in a spot of tailoring or two in one of the towns many silk and tailor boutiques. Needless to say – for those wishing to have a simple wedding dress made at a very reasonable price, you have come to the perfect place. Although, I don’t believe many brides would take this option as they would prefer to have this made and well-ready before the big day! *smiles*

Geographically, Hoi An is blessed with both a river and the beach. So take your pick – as to whether you’d like the serene river view as your ceremony backdrop or do you prefer the romantic soft-sand beach which skyline is backed by stunning mountain ranges?  

Like most of our Asian cities, the climate in Hoi An is tropical. This means that the temperatures are warm throughout the year, and the year is distinctively broken up by the wet and dry seasons. So it’d be good to check out when is the non-raining season for your wedding to take place!

Celebrations and festivals are a unique custom of most Asian countries and Vietnam is no exception. The ancient town of Hoi An is deeply rooted in culture and tradition. And one of the prettiest sight to behold is during the Mooncake / Lantern Festivals in the 8^th Month of the Lunar Calendar whereby the entire ancient town is transformed into pretty, blinking lights of all colours and shapes. For those who plan their wedding during this time period – this is an experience not to be missed. 

And lastly, if we talk about convenience, domestic flights operate to /from all major Vietnamese cities and currently international flights from Singapore on Silk Air are available. It is definitely convenient for weddings from overseas. Hoi An caters to a growing tourism industry and great accommodation options are available from small budget hotels to 5 star resorts. Any weddings will be a remarkable experience and memory – not just for the couple but for their guests as well.

I’m sure you have done many weddings at Palm Garden Resort. Share one which has been truly memorable for you.

It was a wedding back in 2007 and celebrated at the resort’s pool.  The couples ordered red rose petals to the amount of VND 100,000,000 (equivalent to USD 6,500) to be placed into the swimming pool.  The entire pool was transformed into the colour red. Now, red a lucky colour in Vietnam and roses for Vietnamese also symbolizes love. It was memorable because aside from the “red” swimming pool, the entire affair was very romantic, all celebrated around the love that the couple has for each other.

Oh….. that is really nice indeed. Well, how about difficult clients? Experienced any that are particularly trying?

At the resort, our wedding team understands that weddings are very special moments in life and we do expect high demands from our clients.

Well said *grins* Can you tell us a bit more about the Vietnamese culture and how these translates to how the resort is run, how the Vietnamese people are and how does this affect wedding tourism for Vietnam.

Vietnam is still mysterious and may not be all that known to most people globally. Vietnam is a country with a long history dating back thousands of years and there are many ethnic groups living together. As such, Vietnamese culture is very diverse. Each group, each region from the north to the south, from the east to the west has different cultures and traditions.

Palm Garden Resort has a distinctive style in terms of its unique architecture inspired by a stylized Hoi An, the design reflecting the characteristics of the the native culture, combined with green spaces that covers the entire resort. This unique architectural ensemble served to create harmony between resort and nature.

Vietnamese people are warm, friendly, casual but detailed and elaborate. This is actually observed from the traditional Vietnamese weddings which are often very elaborate, merry-boisterous and bold in colours and intricate Vietnamese details as shown in the traditional bridal wear.

I think as more and more people learn about Vietnam, our country, our people, our beauty and charms, then more people would seek to get to know us better. If you do any internet searches for Vietnam these days, you will see that many high-end resorts are in Vietnam and we truly boast of some of the most beautiful locations in the world.

Well, I’ve lived in Vietnam and I can vouch for what you just said. So besides Hoi An, what other locations would you recommend for destination weddings?

Besides Hoi An, there are a lot of locations in Vietnam that you can consider for the weddings such as beach destinations: Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang, Danang, Phan Thiet, Ha Long Bay or highlands destinations: Dalat and Sapa. All are truly beautiful in their own manner.

Before we part – can you share 5 Top Tips when choosing a wedding venue for destination weddings?

Weddings are one of the biggest most important steps in our lives, so careful considerations need to be given to the choices we make.  In terms of venues, 

Think about the type of wedding you’d like to do :
There are many different destination wedding types to choose from – enjoying the blue ocean with the glimmering sun as your backdrop or opting for the cool highland weather or even choosing a historical site because it holds meaning for you……  once you decide on this, then you can start shortlisting your venues.  

Consider the weather at your  wedding destination :
You have to check carefully about the weather during the time you plan for your wedding because whilst rain may be seen as blessings from the skies, it could ruin a perfectly beautiful outdoor setting.

Check on your wedding budget :
Your wedding plans have be consistent with your budget. You should consider carefully the cost of the wedding in order to make sure that it is feasible. No point starting your marriage in debt!

Consider the convenience of the venue and location for your guests :  
Besides the wedding venue, you may have to look at other accommodation options for your guests with different budgets. And then you would also want to consider the convenience of transportation as well as if guests would like to travel a little to see the place, etc. You’d want to make this a great experience for your guests too.  

Finally, check several venues at the location to get the best choice and options :
There could be plenty of venue options at your selected location and as such, do your due research in order to get the best choices and options. Better yet – go for a site recce before making your decision.

Really good tips, Ms Tu! Thank you so much for your time! And of course, hope you guys have enjoyed the insights as much as we did ! :)