Planning a wedding and starting to feel overwhelmed by all of the "helpful tips and tricks for a flawless and unforgettable wedding day that no one will ever forget"?
Sigh…Burnout is a real thing for those planning a wedding, and it can occur at any time - even if as you just get started. While the Internet is ripe with all kinds of advice for the would-be wedding planners, not all of it is realistic or useful.
As an example, spend an hour on Pinterest and you'll initially feel inspired, then a bit overwhelmed, and then you might find yourself thinking about eloping.
There is information overload at every point of planning a wedding and whether it is the location, the favors, the food, the décor, the music, the clothes…well, let's just say that you should have at least ten actually useful and effective tips as you get started.
1. Begin with limits
If you want a truly useful wedding tip, this may be the most important one. It is not just about a budget with a spending cap that is meant by the word limits, it is also about every other factor.
As one bride said, "do not let yourself get bogged down in any single decision. I spent weeks scouting New York City for wedding shoes and a hair comb. My mistake was ever considering more than five options…"
So, whether it is the type of venue, dress or suit style, food, music, photographer…limit yourself to five choices and spend only a short amount of time making the final call.
2. Pay someone to do it
What is "it"?
Well, that thing that is likely to take a lot of your creative energy is usually the "it" in question.
For example, that wedding favor idea you saw on Pinterest…it is awesome, but it is also going to take trips to the craft store (time, gas, money), return trips (more time, gas, money), time to actually make the items, time and effort getting them to the venue, someone to gather the leftovers…pay someone to do those things that sound like fun but which end up being super time vacuums.
This might include a DIY photo booth idea, a special sort of food or drink, and even speech writing or a photo display…there are experts waiting to make your concept perfect.
3. Make it consumable
While we are still close to the topic of favors, here's a majorly significant and useful wedding tip - make the favor edible or consumable.
Why?
Most people do not keep or use those ornaments, trinkets, trivets or other items you slave over and spend good money on.
Instead, dedicate your resources to a tasty favor that will be gladly consumed later or even as they wait for your arrival at the reception! If you want it to be in a cute container, go for it, but limit it to that.
4. Do thank you notes on the run
Few modern couples get all of their wedding gifts at the wedding itself. Many receive them in advance. If so, write those notes as the gifts arrive. This lets you spend very little time after the event composing notes.
5. Pick your battles
Your wedding is a pretty emotional event, but…it does not mean that you have to fight for the "perfect" outcome on every detail.
Yes, the flowers and décor must be what you have chosen and you should battle with a vendor, wedding planner, etc. if they get it wrong.
That bridesmaid who needs to tweak the look chosen should be left free to do so as it's not worth any sort of battle.
The groomsmen opting to wear bizarre socks…really, will it matter?
Pick your battles and use that energy for the issues that actually matter, like the limo that arrives late, the photographer who fails to materialize, etc.
6. Go digital
Whether you have a wedding planner or are going DIY, don't try to tote around a million clippings, papers, etc. That is what the cloud is for.
Whether you are a dedicated Dropbox user, Google Drive fan or any other cloud storage provider, it is there that you should keep every document, image, etc.
7. Definitely, absolutely and always ask a vendor about a discount
What is the worst thing that might happen?
They say, "Sorry, we don't do discounts." On the other hand, they could say "Sure, what are you thinking of…what sort of discount?"
Weddings are an industry, a competitive one, and a lot of vendors may supply a discount if you just ask.
8. Don't go too crazy trying to make it all unique and unforgettable
In your effort to have that stand out event that is nothing like the rest, you could be missing a lot of the fun, pleasure and excitement of a wedding.
Instead, accept that there is really no such thing as a one of a kind event, but there is the unforgettably warm, loving and memorable wedding that was all about honest and authentic moments, exchanges and relationships.
9. Perfect is a word, not a reality.
Perfection doesn't belong in the real world, and especially where your wedding is concerned.
If you start the process eager to find the perfect venue, perfect dress, perfect food, perfect cake…well, it will end up a perfect nightmare. Instead, let your entire process be about finding something that resonates with you, the couple, as that is the "perfect" choice for you.
10. Proactively deal with disaster
Vendor that don't show or who have broken gear, the vendor who fails to materialize, the dress that tears…these are some of the most common wedding day disasters, yet they can be avoided.
At least, they can be dealt with if you make proactive plans for addressing them when/if they do occur.
Make a list of the worst things you can imagine…then, make plans for how you would deal with them and ensure those plans can be put into action…no more anxiety dreams in the days before the wedding and strict limits to what disaster might do!
There are many things to consider about a wedding, but these ten tips are actually useful and effective when it comes down to the big day, what you experience, and how you remember it.
