Top 5 Things Couples Should Know Before Planning Their Wedding
So how is that engagement life so far?
PROBABLY LOTS OF CELEBRATION, TONS OF TEARS, AND LOADS OF HUGS, RIGHT? I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU IN THIS SEASON OF YOUR LIFE! IT MIGHT NOT HAVE CLICKED WITH YOU JUST YET, BUT YOU’RE ABOUT TO START THE WEDDING PLANNING PROCESS IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, AND IT CAN BE A LOOOTTT!
DON’T BE INTIMIDATED THOUGH. WEDDING PLANNING CAN BE A LOT, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE LOADS OF FUN! I’M HERE TO TAKE SOME STRESS OFF OF YOU WITH MY TOP 5 THINGS YOU AS A COUPLE SHOULD KNOW BEFORE PLANNING YOUR WEDDING. LET’S GET INTO IT, SHALL WE?
1. Get on the same page before talking to anyone else
WHEN IN DOUBT, HUG IT OUT!
This is so incredibly important. This day is about the both of you. Not just one or the other. Keep that in mind as you’re chatting about things such as:
How big are you wanting your wedding to be? Less than 50 guests? Max 100? As many people as you can have?
Are you wanting a local wedding? A destination wedding? An elopement?
What are the two of you comfortable putting forth financially to make this wedding happen?
These are just a few things to discuss to make sure that you’re on the same page as each other. If y’all aren’t, find ways to compromise. But, remember. Keep it civil! A wedding isn’t something to have a huge blowout over!
2. Select your top 3 priorities for your wedding budget
THE GOOD OLE’ GAME OF “THIS OR THAT”
What are your top three priorities for wedding day? Is it the aesthetics? The music? The food? Maybe the ceremony, alcohol or photography? Have a discussion with your partner to pinpoint your top three priorities. These priorities should be where your money goes first. Just remember to not blow all of your budget with these three items! You don’t want to go venue/vendor-broke. There’s a vendor for every budget. You may have to do some hardcore research to find the perfect vendor within your budget and that’s okay!
3. Make a guest list and discuss with invested parties
WHO TO INVITE AND WHO TO NOT INVITE? THAT’S THE QUESTION
One strategy you can use here is to first discuss the total amount of guests that you’d like to have on wedding day. After that is settled, both of you write down a list of people you would like to invite. As you’re creating your list, star the “must have” people, while keeping the “would like to have” people unstarred. Come together and create your complete list. If you’re wanting to invite a max of 100 people, and you only have 75 starred between the two lists, start pulling from the “would like to have” list and add them onto the invite list! It’s also okay to have a B list, where you invite those people as you’re receiving RSVPs back as “no” from your A list. Discuss this list afterwards with any additional parties who might be helping to pay. (i.e. parents or grandparents).
4. Know you can't please everyone
YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY!
Three syllables you need to hear right now: “It’s. O. Kay.” Mom may be upset that you’re not inviting Aunt Susie who you haven’t spoken to in three years. Your sister may be upset that you’ve decided to elope in Ireland and only bringing along a photographer and an officiant. Someone may be hurt that you didn’t run the date you chose by them because they’re going out of the country on vacation that day. And you know what? It’s okay. It’s okay for people to get upset with you because at the end of the day, it’s about you and your partner and the life that you are starting together. It’s okay!
5. Hiring friends and family is possibly a costly mistake
UH OH, CAN’T REDO THAT ONE.
Oof. Friendors. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Photography is the number one thing you do not want to hire a friend or family member for. Sure, it can go okay. But is that friend/family member a true professional? Will they be drinking and mingling throughout the night and miss key pictures they need to capture? Will they know how to run the family pictures after the ceremony to make it the most time-efficient? And for the DJ. Will Uncle Joey (Tribianni, anyone?) that you hired as DJ act as a professional or will they be off mingling and end up being impossible to track down when it’s time for him to make an announcement for the special dances? Be very choosey on who you trust as vendors and, again, don’t be afraid to possibly hurt some feelings! You don’t want to stress on your wedding day, and these negative memories shouldn’t be overshadowing the amazing memories you’re making throughout the rest of the day.
REMEMBER. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S ABOUT THE TWO OF YOU FINALLY BEING MARRIED. WEDDING PLANNING DOESN’T NEED TO BE STRESSFUL. MAKE IT ENJOYABLE AND DON’T FORGET TO TAKE SOME NECESSARY WEDDING-FREE DATE NIGHTS THROUGHOUT PLANNING TO SIMPLY ENJOY ENGAGEMENT! IF YOU NEED SOME IDEAS FOR A FUN DATE NIGHT, HEAD OVER TO OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE AND LOOK FOR THOSE DATE NIGHT POSTS!
AND IF YOU NEED SOME ADDITIONAL HELP PLANNING YOUR WEDDING, LET’S CHAT!
