Wedding Planners Give Insider Tips On The Best Ways To Prepare For The Big Day
Wedding planners have very important jobs. They're in charge of making sure their clients' big day is as perfect and stress-free as possible. For many, that means letting soon-to-be brides and grooms in on a few tricks of the trade.
From trusting their gut and being honest about what they want to practicing a bit of self-care, soon-to-be newlyweds are going to want to look into these wedding planners' words of wisdom!
Say Yes To The Dress...Eventually
The dress might be one of the more important aspects of a wedding, at least for many brides. But that doesn't mean they should rush into saying "yes" and immediately purchasing one for their big day.
In fact, many wedding planners suggest holding off on a dress. They suggest securing a date and venue first. That way, the bride-to-be can perfectly coordinate their dress with the venue and time of year. It makes the wedding portraits that much more beautiful!
Planning Is An Adventure!
According to some wedding planners, it's important to appreciate the process of planning, as it is a smaller version of what life will be like for the newlyweds. From organizing family gatherings to children's birthday parties, it's all about working together and enjoying the process.
Elizabeth McKellar, the owner of The Nouveau Romantics, says it best. She advises, "It's important to see this time can be an adventure, rather than a stressful experience!"
Relax And Practice Self-Care
It's important to remember that a wedding comes and goes within a few hours or maybe a weekend. So, it's important to not stress over the little things and practice self-care during what is supposed to be a fun planning period.
Alison Laesser-Keck, the owner of Alison Bryan Destinations, recommends going on date nights and making "planning and wedding talk" off-limits the entire time. She says to "relax and enjoy it."
Don't Understaff Bartenders
Bartenders... aside from guests, they are arguably some of the most important people to have at a wedding. According to many wedding planners, skimping on bartenders is a huge mistake. Since no one likes waiting in line for drinks, there should be at least one bartender for every 40 guests.
Tara Guérard, owner of Tara Guérard Soirée, says, "Cut your budget elsewhere, for example, do lots of candles and fewer flowers on the table, to make sure this happens."
Make A Decision And Don't Look Back
According to Virginia Edelson, the owner of Bluebird Productions, "The most stress-free couples I see during the planning process are those who make informed and swift decisions and don't stress over all the options."
The couples that make decisions and don't look back on those decisions or switch them up seem to be happier and less stressed than those who keep changing plans. Don't look back; keep moving forward with the planning process.
It's All About The Venue
The key to wedding planning is to pick a venue that is beautiful inside and outside. This way, couples don't have to spend unnecessary money from their budget to redecorate.
According to wedding planners, the goal is to find a venue with existing charm and to base the wedding aesthetic around that, not go full-force into redecorating and making the place look like something completely different. That's just a waste of time.
There Are No "Rules"
Contrary to popular belief, there are no set rules when it comes to a wedding, only those preconceived notions of what people think a wedding is supposed to be. So, couples are advised to throw all of those notions out the window; this is their day, and they should do what they want!
According to Wendy Kay, owner and creative director of Birds of a Feather Events, "[t]here are no rules! I'm up for exploring all kinds of nutty ideas, and if it won't work, it won't work, but we'll never know until we chat about it."
Make The Most Out Of The Budget
When it comes to budgets, wedding planners will advise making the most out of, well, everything. The biggest secret when it comes to staying under budget: repurpose items. The floral arrangements from the ceremony can be used to line the band stage at the reception, while cocktail table flowers can be moved to dinner tables.
It's no secret that weddings can be pricey, so couples are going to want to get the most for their money.
Pro Tip: Thank Your Vendors As Often As Possible
Believe it or not, thanking vendors works wonders for couples. If vendors feel appreciated for what they're doing on the big day, they'll feel more obliged to go above and beyond for the couple.
This doesn't mean anything serious, but just remembering to say thank you more often than not and maybe sending a card expressing appreciation for their time and effort will go a long way! Hey, maybe a catering company will even throw in an extra dessert option!
Honesty Is The Best Policy
For any couple getting ready to plan their big day, it's important to remember this golden rule: honesty is the best policy. They should be sure to be vocal about likes, dislikes, and what they're expecting their big day to look like.
The owner and creative director of Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle, Sofia Crokos, says, "Remember it's just as important to share what you don’t like, as well as what you do, so a distinct picture emerges." Note: if you don't like confetti, don't do confetti!
It's Your Day. Make It Personal
Whether the soon-to-be-married couple met on a hiking trip, abroad in Thailand, or while they were young and still in grade school, wedding planners advise them to use those stories to their advantage.
It's their big day, so they should make it as personal as possible. Whether it's specific decorations, food, or even flowers while planning a wedding; a couple should keep in mind all of the tiny moments that brought them together and use them to their advantage.
Keep Guests' Comfort In Mind
While planning, one of the last things on the couples' minds is making their guests comfortable. It's their day, after all! But wedding planners strongly advise them to consider comfort, so the wedding is as fun and memorable as possible for everyone.
Beth Helmstetter, the creative director for Beth Helmstetter Events, says, "Focus on the touch points that allow guests to be present throughout the weekend." This means having blankets available if it's cold and fans present if it's supposed to be hot.
Take The Time To Do It Right
One of the biggest mistakes couples make during the planning process is making decisions right away. Pro tip: there is no rush! Planners advise couples to take their time making decisions regarding catering, flower arrangements, and even a color palette.
There are so many options out there that choosing the first one that catches their eye isn't the best plan of action. Hey, that catering company isn't going anywhere. You can always go back to it!
Things Will Go Wrong...Don't Sweat It!
There are a lot of moving parts to weddings, and not everything is going to go as planned. But to all of the couples out there who are planning their big days, don't sweat the stuff that is out of your control!
You're getting married to your best friend. Enjoy the planning process, the ceremony, and the reception. Don't sweat the small stuff that is going to be nothing more than a fleeting memory in a few years.
Recreate Elements From Other Weddings
There's no shame in taking an element from someone else's wedding and using it, such as a live band over a DJ or a buffet over a sit-down dinner. It's all a matter of taking various elements and putting them together in a way that works for the couple and makes them happy.
So steal that centerpiece idea from that college friend's wedding and book the same band as your work buddy!
A Mix Of Fresh And Silk Flowers Can Save Money
Many people go straight to the fresh flower arrangements when planning weddings. And why wouldn't they, since it's typically what people use during the ceremony and for centerpiece arrangements.
However, according to wedding planners, there is a little-known secret. Using a mix of silk flowers and fresh flowers won't only save money but will keep the flowers fresh longer since half of them are fake. Not only that, they make for great keepsakes!
Enjoy Every Minute Of The Planning Experience
Planning a wedding is a big deal and couples should enjoy every single moment. From looking at different flower arrangements to taste-testing finger foods and cakes and other various desserts, the process should be a fun bonding experience for the soon-to-be newlyweds.
Leslie Price, the owner of In Any Event, says, "As with any journey, who you travel with and how you travel can be more important than the destination."
Spend Big Bucks On A Photographer
A budget is very important. But when it comes to choosing where to spend the big bucks, most wedding planners agree that it should be on the photographer. They're capturing memories, after all. Couples are going to want the best of the best.
According to Calder Clark, the principal and creative director of Calder Clark, "The single most important purchase you'll make is one you can never redo—so buy the very best you can when it comes to a photographer, to preserve lifelong memories."
Think Of It As One Big Dinner Party
Planning a wedding can be stressful; that's why some wedding planners advise couples to step away from the term "wedding" and all of the pressures that go along with it. Instead, think of the day as one big dinner party where they're the hosts.
According to Matthew Robbins, the founder and creative director of Matthew Robbins Design, "When they can step into playing the role of hosts and planning a beautiful and delicious dinner party filled with exquisite and memorable details, they really start to enjoy the process."
Planning Is Fun, But Make The Marriage A Priority
A lot goes into planning a wedding, and many details might have a couple disagreeing. But don't lose sight of the end game, the actual marriage. Because at the end of the day, marriage is so much larger than the ceremony and reception. Planners want couples to be reminded of that.
Bronson Van Wyck, the owner of Van Wyck & Van Wyck, says it best. "Always make your marriage the priority; the details of the wedding become just that, details."
