04/10/2019
Getting Married in 2020? 6 Wedding Planning Tips
If you’re a bride getting married this year, you’re probably very busy right now. Enough with the intro! Let’s get right down to the 6 Wedding Planning Tips we have for you!
1. Start with a Vision
The first thing we do for the wedding planning process is to sit down with our brides and hear all about their wedding vision. We recommend you do the same! What kind of wedding do you envision? Do you want a small, intimate setting or a grand ballroom filled with guests? What kind of experience do you want your guests to have? What specific things do you want to incorporate into the day? Write down exactly what you want, no matter how small. This is your foundation. If you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, you won’t be able to form the plan to get you there.
2. Keep Things Organized wedding planning tips 2020
If you don’t read any of the next 4 tips, that’s okay. This is really the most important one. Once you have a vision, the success of the day depends on the ex*****on and the ex*****on depends on the organization of the planner. If you end up being your own wedding planner, consider utilizing spreadsheets, planners, and/or calendars. You don’t need to spend extra money on those special “Wedding Planners”. A simple Excel spreadsheet or notebook will work just as well. Here are our tips for staying organized:
Start by making a list of the big picture activities, such as the ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, photo shoot, bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.
Take these different activities and breakdown the items needed for each.
i.e. Ceremony: decide on venue, need to find officiate/pastor, decorations needed, etc.
Take these smaller, itemized lists and put the estimated and actual cost for each. This will help you stay aware of how much you will be spending on each item and how much you have actually spent.
By taking these large concepts and breaking them down to their parts, you will be able to put together the items needed to execute a beautiful event, even if you are not an event planner.
3. Keep DIY Projects to a Minimum
Pinterest has made us all feel like we need to be DIYing just about everything these days. These projects promise to save money and are supposed to come out beautiful every time. However, we have found that these projects often end up being more expensive than the store bought version and can be very time consuming and downright frustrating. Think about not only the cost of buying the materials but also the time investment.
We love the idea of having a few homemade touches, however if you do decide to DIY, we suggest keeping it to one or two items, at most. Even if you are a professional designer, you probably don’t want to be sitting up at 2:00am the night before your special day trying to finish everything. Pick one or two projects for you to do with your hubby or bridesmaids that will make a sweet touch at the reception, like a handmade favor or place cards, and then leave the rest to your vendors.
4. Don’t Blow Your Budget
While your wedding is a very important and special day, it is only one day out of your life. We recommend that you consider not overspending. When you go through your lists in step 2 and see the costs, this is a great time to decide what items are most important to you. Decide what you want to prioritize and if there are any items on which you can find discounts or cut completely. After all, as long as you’re married to the right person at the end of the day, you can call it a success!
5. Put Yourself in Your Guests Shoes
A wedding is an experience for both you and your guests. If you want to get married outdoors on the Forth of July, consider that it will probably be very hot for guests as they arrive and sit in the heat. This does not mean you can’t have your dream wedding, but be sure to provide items that will make your guests more comfortable, like parasols, sunscreen, cold water, and fans.
Also, be mindful of dietary restrictions and allergies as you plan your menu. (Most venues will give allergy-friendly options, if you ask!)
6. Don’t Forget…It’s Your Day!wedding planning tips 2020
Repeat after us: I can’t make everyone happy. As you plan, you are going to get pulled in a thousand directions as different family members and friends ask you to make accommodations. It is for you to decide when to say NO. There is a big difference between being a Bridezilla and wanting to enjoy your special day. We always recommend considering each request, while keeping in mind that this is your event. Do what is best for you and your significant other!
