We all could use a little advice now and then, especially when you’re in the midst of wedding planning and prepping for the big day. One thing we find ourselves saying to brides and grooms is this: this is (probably) your first wedding…you shouldn’t know exactly how much things cost or what traditions you can forgo. That’s why we’re here! Our girls have years of experience designing, planning, and bringing together weddings for happy couples. It’s no surprise that with that experience comes strong advice.
Work with professionals.
“I too often see brides in a panic because their DJ, hair stylist, photographer (insert vendor here) bailed at the last minute. You don’t need that stress, especially at the final hour! Hiring professionals with years of experience and testimonials can help prevent this stress. Trust me – you don’t want to look back at your wedding photos that you paid thousands for only to find out that your friend’s iPhone pictures are better.” – Bridget, Owner
Stop stressing!
“If you took the time, did your research, and ultimately invested in your perfect Planner, stop stressing! Be confident in the fact that they are professionals and know what they are doing and are going to help you take on the challenging parts of planning your wedding. You hired someone so you don’t have to stress. Feeling like you still need to take it all on negates the reason for spending money on a professional in the first place.” – Rebekah, Lead Planner
Relax and enjoy on the wedding day!
“When you’ve hired the right team of creative partners to execute the big and little things, there shouldn’t be anything left for you to worry about. If something does come up, don’t let it get to you or ruin your day. Things happen, but at the end of the day, you’re married!” – Courtney, Lead Stylist
Budget, budget, budget.
“If you plan on paying for the wedding yourself and don’t already have the money set aside, consider pushing your date out a few extra months. Money can be one of the biggest stressors of the planning process. Your wedding will no longer become your magical day where you share your love with the world, rather it will become that party you are throwing for your friends that costs way too much. Giving yourself some extra time can help spread payments out and make it feel like slightly less of a ball and chain. You might have always pictures that perfect June wedding, but maybe it’s not THIS June.” – Rebekah, Lead Planner
Remember what’s important to you.
“In deciding how to spend your money, think about what you’ll have 20 years from now. 20 years from now, you might not remember that you had filet mignon with crab cakes, but you’ll still have the pictures from your wedding day. A photographer (and a videographer!) are the two vendors whose services will transcend time. That being said, if having killer flowers are your bread and butter, allocate more money there.” – Kayte, Assistant Planner
Hire people you like…
“You will be spending a lot of time with the people you hire to help with your wedding day. Meet with them and be sure that you like not only their services, but also their personalities. From a vendor’s perspective, we, too, want to have great relationships with our clients! Imagine not being comfortable with the person following you around with a camera all day. You won’t look or feel natural. Even worse, not connecting with your wedding planner, who you’ll be spending months with to bring your vision to life. Be sure you connect in that initial meeting so you can enjoy the process.” – Bridget, Owner
…but, DO NOT hire friends.
“Especially ones who don’t really do weddings on a regular basis. It’s great that they are willing to give you a discount on services or, GASP, for free, but sometimes it’s just best to spend the extra money to have a professional third party there. When you hire a friend, they’re likely expecting to also be a guest at the wedding, which means while ‘performing their duties’, they will also be drinking, dancing, eating, and talking with friends. Doing what they agreed to do will become a second priority and can cause a lot more stress on your other vendors and may also create hiccups with the overall flow of the evening. And if it’s a friend that DJ’s at your local bar on the side but has never DJ’d for a wedding, it’s a completely different can of worms.” – Rebekah, Lead Planner
Let them help!
“Rehearsal dinners are a time for the parents of the groom to host… let them! You’ve worked on every detail of your big day, let them work on the dinner the night before (of course with your guidance and approval). If you’re type-A like myself, you’ll want some input but don’t over analyze each little thing as the wedding day is the real reflection of you and significant other.” – Courtney, Lead Stylist
Start a tradition of forgoing tradition.
“There are some things that will never go out of style for a wedding, but when it comes down to it, if you, as the bride, don’t want to wear white, don’t wear it! If you don’t want to do a bouquet and garter toss, throw that tradition out the window. Like Rebekah says below, this is YOUR day. When you look back and remember this incredible day, do you want to remember how you felt forced into tradition or how you made the day your own?” – Kayte, Assistant Planner
Remember that this is YOUR day.
“It’s great to hear and even take some of that unwarranted advice, but you will find that EVERYONE has advice and a lot of it will be contradictory. You don’t necessarily need to live by everything your grandmother, mother in law, friend or 2nd cousin twice removed has to say. Kindly smile and nod as they are going down the list of perfection their wedding consisted of and stick with what is important to you. Don’t let others make you second guess yourself. And by all means, ask your professional vendors what they have seen work and not work because, believe me, they have seen it all!” – Rebekah, Lead Planner
Savor your ceremony.
“When I was married, I remember thinking that the shorter the ceremony, the better. It’s the reception everyone is waiting for! When I think back to my wedding day, though, what stands out in my mind the most is the moment my husband and I exchanged vows. It was butterflies-in-my-belly, head-over-heels, all-sorts-of-mushy amazing. I wish I could’ve spent 10 more lifetimes in that moment.” – Kayte, Assistant Planner