Prologue

Amit is my wonderful friend. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession but his only problem in life is that he has taken his profession too seriously. He is organized to the core and carries “I wanna do everything” attitude. He works in Malaysia and is getting married next month in Mumbai, I happened to peek in his wedding planner diary… ;-)

 2 Months Before Marriage

 I have been dead busy ever since my wedding date is fixed. Finding the girl, she saying yes and convincing parents was easier than preparing for the wedding. I need meticulous planning to leave nothing to bones. I have done some shopping which I need to neatly pack into two boxes. “Her” package and “His” package. In India, you don’t have lousy fundas like Blue for Guys and Pink for Girls else would have gone for the right colour boxes. Anyways, I can’t waste time on the trivial activities like this, I need to make the list of items that I need to shop, pack, take with me to Malaysia and leave in India. I will have to take 3 print outs of the list. First list will be kept in India, Second list, I need to keep in my mail account in case the original is lost and the third list will be kept in my pocket at all the times for revision, execution and follow up. Dunno, how all the lists will be in synch? I will think of that later… When in Malaysia, I need to call at home everyday to get the Status report on

How many Items Purchased?

Break up of “His” / “Her”?

If “His”, why the colours chosen are not Orange, Red or Crimson?

If “Her”, why the colours are not matching to “His”?

How many invitations made?

Break-Up of Invitations

Relatives(50) parents to invite

Rest – (300) Amit to invite

STRATEGY FOR INVITATION

Ex Office Colleagues (20) : They are “ex” says it all, mail invitations will do.

Ghatkopar- (20)Langoti Yaars. Have to go personally to invite them.

Mulund-(30)Post Langoti Stage Friends. Have to go personally else I will not get an entry there next time.

Thane-(30)Hiranandani Crowd. Got to go in formals. Should I wear a White shirt or a Blue shirt? White looks too formal. Blue looks better on me. But, the blue one is brand new. It is packed and to be used on Day 27th from now. (refer to Section 4.4) White one is Pierre Cardin with Cufflink, it does not look good without a tie. Tie without a suit is like Amit without Amrita.. Coool!! M getting poetic, credit goes to my love, Amu. The confusion still remains, which shirt to wear for invitation? Anyhow, I have to finish this list in the next two hours to make another. *

Note: *To be discussed / decided later. (Highlighted with Crimson fluorescent highlighter)

Churchgate Ex Office(15)- I have to go to Churchgate to check Bata Shoes, Colaba to check Cotton World, will cover colleagues in between. Do I need to do any other shopping? Will have to make a shopping list. * Refer Sheet 1.

Weekend Buddies(15): Have to invite them personally and spend some time with them. I have to go with Amrita to Lifestyle for “Her” shopping, will invite Buddies to Phoenix mills to cover their invitation. List of people to invite are Anita and Family, Ajay and Family, Vikas and Family etc… Every friend is + 1 spouse and ½ kid these days. That reminds me, do I need to check with the caterers, if the kid will be charged as one meal or ½ a meal? The bugger was charging me Rs. 200 per thali. I need to get into the bottom of these things.

Should I consider Ajay under Weekend Buddy category or Thane Category? Weekend category would be more appropriate, I won’t have to bear him alone. With Anita around, his talk time will be curtailed automatically. Anyhow, reserving max 2 hours for this activity. Will have to get the Shopping list of “Her”completed, it is special and needs more time and research. Time reserved for this activity is unlimited…She is a sweetheart, my lifetime is for her and her only. Refer Sheet 2 for details of “Her” shopping in green color sheet- yeah! She loves that colour with a floral theme in the background… I miss you Amu!!!… lost in “Her” thoughts… glances at his Tissout watch..Time is ticking..

Invitations for these people will be subject to time. Else, Vichare Courier Zindabaad!!! Need to get a quote from them for bulk couriering.

These guys are not going to turn up anyways. I will have to scan the card and invite them in one single shot. Maximum time reserved for this activity is 1 hour. I need to make the list of mail ids now, to save time later. *Refer Sheet 3… makes a mental note, half an hour saved..

But, how will I remember when to invite whom? Timing is everything in wedding invitations to have the turnaround of right people. I need to set various reminders in Mobile- Indian and Malaysian time, Reminder in Outlook, give a copy of list to mom to follow up… Still the question remains, can one mobile set reminder for two time zones? Need to research a bit. Else, will buy another flip top mobile when I reach Malaysia. Anything for dear Amu… can’t afford to mess up a single item….

PACKING STRATEGY

Packing Boxes for various functions

Day1 Before Wedding

          1.1Morning

          1.2Afternoon

          1.3Evening

Day2 Wedding Day

          2.1 Millionaire’s Sherwani for rituals

          2.2 Raymond’s Wedding Suit

          2.3Red Night Suit

Pooja Day3 Traditional Kurta

Honeymoon Days (Private) Details not to be revealed- what if virus gets into this report and the details get published on internet.

*** Budget for each activity to be allotted later. Details to follow in a Separate excel sheet with a macro for various scenarios. Macros learnt in HSBC Bank are always handy… Those were the days!!!… Gets nostalgic

WEDDING DAY SUIT STRATEGY

 Visit Raymond's for Suit cloth Selection and stitching

Having listed down all the activities for Suit Rehearsal, now, I need to work backward to get the right date, when should I go to the Suit Shop for giving measurements? There are more fundamental details to work out like

1. What should be the color of the suit
2. To go for Branded suit or stitched one. Need to evaluate between vanity and value for money.
3. Need to check with buddies about their experience with different shops in Mumbai **

Note: ** Details to follow

…

Who says, marriage preparation is easy? Marriage requires strategy, planning, and efficient execution. These management and accounting principals can be as much applied to life to achieve perfection we strive to achieve in work.

PS. Names are changed to maintain the privacy but events are exact… ;-)

Central Line / Western Line: Mumbai is divided by the Central and Western Train line. You should be a Mumbaiyate to understand the rivalry between the two.