I knew I’d be excited and completely head over heels – but planning my own wedding gave me an entirely different perspective on weddings. It’s a well-known fact that wedding planning is daunting and attempting it with your better half can really put your relationship to the test. In an ideal world, most of us would probably hire a wedding planner. You’d tell the planner what our dream wedding looks like, and they would magically make your vision a reality. The end. But while recruiting a professional to help out can be pretty ideal, maybe you’re working under a tight budget or maybe you simply love going the DIY route like me. It may be a lot of work, but it is possible to plan your own dream wedding!
Start by making a list of everything that needs to get done. Break down those tasks by week, or even by month. A useful way to allocate your budget is to list down the parts of the wedding you’d like in order of importance. Make a list of what matters most, and let their importance guide the budget. And remember: unexpected expenses will appear. Everywhere. Add a little wiggle room to your budget.
The venue should be the first decision you make. Some venues get booked up to years in advance. When you begin your process, the venue needs to be your first priority. You don’t want to start planning details with a specific venue in mind and then realize you won’t be able to have your wedding there after all.
Less is more. Keep it simple and keep your cool. Be realistic when it comes to expectations. The way you approach your role and handle small slip-ups will make all the difference for not only you but also your guests, partner, and anyone else involved.
Ask your fiancé for ideas and input. Everyone will have an opinion on what you should wear, say or do. They all mean well but don’t forget that it’s YOUR wedding and you can’t please everyone. Your soon-to-be-husband (wife) is another story. The more decisions you make together, the closer you will become. Like the decision to jump off hay bale.
It’s all about compromise. Relationships are all about give and take. If you like pink but he prefers blue, you could settle on a combination of pink and blue or white with a splash of pink. Or if your music tastes differ, plan a playlist that features both your preferred genres.
Hire professionals who reflect your style and taste. Finding suppliers and creative’ is no easy task. And it’s even more difficult when you are dealing with a task of planning a wedding long distance. Research vendors, suppliers, photographers, makeup artists and hairstylists at your destination thoroughly. Pay attention to reviews from other couples. Send them your inspiration boards, photos of what you want in advance. And don’t commit until you’ve had all your questions answered.
You can’t do it all. Don’t be afraid to open the door to help when you need it. Anyone who is close to you and cares for you will be thrilled to invest what they can to be a special part of your big day.
It’s all about love, laughter and celebration. One of the best things about the wedding is being able to spend a whole day with your closest friends and family. Don’t feel pressured to invite every single person on the planet just because of some wedding politics.
Enjoy the process! Take a step back here and there and remember what’s important.. Planning for a wedding can be emotionally draining and time-consuming so remember to take a breather and go on regular dates to connect with each other.
