I am well over a year into wedding planning and lord, let me tell you, this ain’t for the faint of heart. From tastings to endless phone calls to managing budgets all while trying to keep it straight in your head.. this is a very expensive full time job. There is an over abundance of wedding lists and tips and recommendations and it’s easy to get caught up in the tiny details. Take this moment to let your shoulders fall from your ears and relish in the moment that is wedding planning. After all, you’re lucky enough to have found someone worthy of this day and the rest of your life. At the halfway point of wedding planning bliss I have composed a foolproof list to help you navigate your big day and all that leads up to it, gracefully. Pop some bubbly, this is a celebration after all and let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
SET A BUDGET
A wedding is an investment, and with any investment you have to determine what you can afford. Having this conversation early allows you and those contributing to your wedding to have fair expectations and alleviates any unnecessary stress or tension down the road. Discussing finances under any circumstances can be a little *uncomfy*but do yourself a favor and address this one head on.
IT’S OKAY TO BE SELFISH
Or at the very least, remember no is an option. Those who love you may have certain visions for this day but if it’s not for you, or doesn’t fit your budget, feel free to respectfully say no. You would think this ones a no brainer but it’s easy to get caught up in the sentiment of things. The people involved in your wedding had some impact in shaping you, your fiancé or your relationship. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make sure this is a special night for them, just be sure you’re doing it for you too!
PLAN FOR THE LAST MINUTE EXPENSES
As you book different vendors you will quickly learn how varied their payment plans can be. Maintaining that alone was almost enough to send me spiraling down the rabbit hole. There will be balances due the morning of so stay ahead and stay organized! While it won’t earn you cash back or flyer miles, paying by check or paying ahead of schedule will take one more task off your list. If your budget doesn’t allow you to pay off early, arm a bridesmaid with checks to distribute that morning so you can focus on the bigger things. Keep this in mind for your vendor tips, too!
DON’T LIMIT YOURSELF WHEN IT COMES TO DRESS STYLES
When it came to what I thought our wedding day would look like, there was one thing I *thought* I was certain of was my dress. I was confident I would be in a ball gown and I was deeply disappointed by every single one I tried on. I started to think the whole “when you know you know” thing was propaganda to make brides feel bad but ladies, when you know you know. I don’t believe anybody who says they don’t love playing dress up in stunning gowns so indulge your inner princess and keep an open mind. Step outside your comfort zone and into your dream dress.
CONSIDER HIRING A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER
It goes without saying, this is how you are going to remember this day. Second only to your venue, this should be the top of your list of priorities. If you opt for videography, that footage will also be deeply cherished but your wedding photos will be forever immortalized so make them count. A second shooter will save you on time allowing you to get to the party sooner and maybe even catch the tail end of cocktail hour! This especially made sense for us because we opted not to do a dress reveal. You will also have perfectly candid photos of the entire night.
REMEMBER TO…
Take things in stride, focus on the purpose behind your wedding and take a step back when you need to. Soul Sister Studios is always here to keep you focused and motivated when you’re ready to dive back in. You can look forward to more wedding content to come!