Congratulations! You’re engaged! Now what? It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the process from engaged to married! There are many decisions that you’ll be making over the next few months, like setting the date, choosing the perfect venue, deciding who to include in your wedding party and on your guest list, and then there’s all the logistics of the actual wedding day! Wedding planning can be stressful! But it doesn’t have to be. Here are five things to keep in mind before you begin the planning process.
1. Get on the same page as a couple before talking to anyone else
Talk about your non-negotiables as a couple before speaking with your parents or family members about the wedding. That way, you can support each other when it comes time to say yes or no to other’s requests.
2. Set a budget and try to stay within it, but know that you will, undoubtedly, go over!
Things come up! Especially the last few days before the wedding. Leave a 10% “just in case” fund when completing your budget.
3. Your Fiancé probably doesn’t care about the details nearly as much as you, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care!
Men typically tend to focus on the big picture, on problem-solving, and ultimately on making you happy. I’ve seen many groom’s eyes glaze over every time the bride starts to mention what shape of flower bouquets they want or what height of heel to wear with their dress. Instead of continually trying to get the “right” reaction from your fiancé, meet with a girlfriend, sister, or your mother on a bi-weekly or monthly basis to go over all the finer details. Leave the big decisions to be made with your fiancé. You could even hire a wedding coordinator for one or two consultations during the wedding planning process. Chances are you’re on the right track and just need a sounding board to put all the details together.
4. Don’t let anyone turn you away from your vision of your dream wedding
Work with your fiancé and customize it to who you are as a couple, not what you feel obliged to do. Your wedding is all about the two of you. After my wedding, we had a few people tell me that my wedding was exactly what they wish they had done. I learned that you shouldn’t settle on what other people want for your day. Don’t have a single regret after your wedding is over!
5. It is inevitable that no matter how hard you plan, things will go wrong on your wedding day
Unless there are major issues like power outages, hospital visits, storms or the equivalent, you’ll have to make a choice to ignore every small setback and have the best day of your life
Bride’s mother arriving an hour late, torrential downfalls, Bride’s dress catching on fire; we’ve seen it all! But, most of the guests won’t even notice anything was wrong. The best way to mitigate major issues is to hire a Wedding Planner or Wedding Day Coordinator. You’ll be happy there is someone else answering all the questions so you can enjoy your day!
Wedding planning really is as stressful or as easy going as you make it. Enjoy the time planning, enjoy the wedding day, but remember, in the end, it’s more about the marriage than the wedding!
Happy planning!