Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/582166
16 real weddings / P lanning a wedding takes a lot of work (surprise, surprise). But the biggest job may be ƒguring out how to delegate: who can help you, how can they help, and can you get what you need without overstepping your boundaries (or o‡ending your future mother-in-law)? We turned to two Vancouver pros – Alicia Keats, principal planner at Alicia Keats Weddings & Events, and Genève McNally, principal planner for DreamGroup Productions – for their expert advice. Make a list, check it twice First things ƒrst: ƒgure out what needs to be done, and when you need it. œat way, you can give your helpers plenty of notice. "œe more warning, the better, so you're not surprising someone at the last minute," says Keats. And by scheduling out tasks well in advance of the wedding, there will be less stress for everyone. Play to strengths Be sure to get the right people on the right projects. Assign tasks based on skills: if your girlfriend has beautiful handwriting and wants to be involved, get her help addressing the invitations. "I usually delegate to people I know are passionate, and have a knack for it," says McNally. But there are bound to be a few tasks that you're not as personally attached to, and those are the perfect ones to hand o‡. "œink about projects where you'll be happy however they turn out," says Keats. "œings like collecting mailing addresses, assembling invitations or collecting family photos to display at the reception are great straightforward tasks that don't leave a lot of room for interpretation." Be crystal clear Talk to your friends and family about your expectations ahead of time – otherwise, miscommunication may leave some jobs unassigned. "Your loved ones may want to help but not step on anyone's toes, so they're hesitant to o‡er, and meanwhile, the bride and groom think they should know what they should be doing," says Keats. And remember: once you ask for help, you're going to receive it, and that may mean losing some control. Be as speciƒc as possible when you're delegating, so that no one takes creative license. Making mock-ups of DIY projects like wedding favours ensures that helpers know exactly what you're looking to achieve. realadvice Help Wanted Delegating wedding tasks is a fine art but you can lighten your workload without upsetting friends or family By Stacey McLachlan Illustration by Mandy Lau