12 Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Planning

It is exciting and stressful to plan a wedding for the first time.

In 2019, only 27% couples hired a wedding coordinator to manage their big day. The rest either planned everything themselves or formed a nuptial team to share out the responsibilities.

Wedding planning can be considered a full-time job. We’ve gathered the best tips and tricks to make the process easier. You can now enjoy champagne instead of waiting on hold with your DJ for 40 minutes.

Wedding Planning 101 – Money Saving Tips

Budget comes first. Discuss with your partner what you must, want, and can’t live without for your wedding. You’ll feel less stress about price tags once you set a budget.

You can save money by not being emotionally invested in the outcome of your wedding. You should have some expectations, but be flexible. You may have to spend an additional 5-10k for venue, dates and selections.

This may seem unnegotiable but let us explain.

1. The price of Months is competitive.

The fall months are the most expensive for weddings. Weather is ideal for all types of clothing. The trees are bright and colorful. You’re ready for a wedding when you smell the autumn air.

Fall weddings are beautiful, but what about the price? *cue sad violin music*

The best months to plan a wedding are November, January, and March. If you’re set on a certain venue, you should check to see if it offers off-season prices before booking for winter.

2. Every day except Saturday

When planning your wedding, the Saturday is a no-brainer. Your coworkers are off, your family can come in from far away, and no one has to worry about being hungover the next morning. It’s a great idea.

You could save thousands of dollars by booking your dream day during the week or on Sunday. You’ll also be less likely to face competition for your desired dates. Fridays can be a good alternative.

Flights and hotels tend to be cheaper during the week than at weekends. Your family can also save some money.

3. The timing is crucial.

The timing of vows and ceremonies is a little-known industry tip. Most couples begin their wedding celebrations between 11a-1p.

Consider a morning wedding or an afternoon one if you want to reduce the cost per plate. Dinner is the most expensive meal of the day and guests expect it at weddings that start after 4p.

Breakfast weddings have become very popular in recent years! Breakfast weddings are in right now! Sign us up!

4. Check your invitations

Your guests don’t really care whether your wedding party invitation is printed on cardstock or filtered papyrus.

We’re here to celebrate your success!

Statista reports that couples spend on average $590 for wedding invitations. This can vary depending on the personalization, paper, envelope, and artwork. A template that fits your aesthetics can be a cost-effective way to spread the good news.

Canva is great for this! You can create a line of wedding invitations for only $12, design your own logo and match the colors to your wedding.

Wedding Planning 101 – Stress-saving Suggestions

Reality shows have made planning a wedding synonymous with losing your sanity. This is not the case and should not be. You’re not going to find any bridezillas or even groomzillas in this guide.

1. RSVP deadlines are important.

Wedding planners advise setting a deadline of four week prior to your wedding for guests to RSVP. It’s important to give the venue, the caterer, and any other party that needs a count a heads-up. This gives them time to prepare.

It is important to only invite the people who you want there. It’s not a good idea to invite too many people. Some venues are unable to add more chairs because of fire hazards. Never nix a small, intimate wedding!

2. Do not be late.

It may seem daunting to make advance plans months in advance for a wedding, but you’ll end up saving a lot of mental energy.

When to hire your wedding vendors

• 12 Months: Venues and Wedding Planners
• 10 months: Photographers, videographers, florists, caterers
• 8 month: DJs and accommodations
• 7 Months: Wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, cake, makeup artists and hair stylists
• 5 Months: Men’s tuxedos and groomsmen attire. Transportation to and from ceremony
• 2 Months: Wedding Bands (The Fun Part)

Say no to micromanagement

You pay your vendors to take care of their part of the event because they are professionals.

You will only cause yourself unnecessary stress if you worry about the caterers and photographers.

Ask questions during your first consultation. Let them know what you and your partner want and how they can best serve you. Then, let them take care of their work while you focus on other aspects of your wedding planning.

3. Ask for help.

Unspoken agreements exist between friends in the wedding party to assist you with planning your wedding.

Don’t assign them to a full week of work. They have lives to live. But speak up!

Asking family members and friends for help is not a problem. They can design invites, assist in choosing venues or address invites. Assigning tasks that require little or no personal involvement will result in a job that is not up to standard.

Wedding Planning 101: Don’ts

Now you know what to do so that your “I Dos” are as smooth as the frosting of your wedding cake. What about the Don’ts?

Avoid these four Do’s on your wedding day!

1. Do not do everything yourself

Now you’re the bride or groom, not the wedding planner. It’s your special day, a time to celebrate, enjoy, and show love. You can delegate any last-minute tasks you have to your planner, bridal party, or friends. You can count on them to assist you!

Do not refer to your bridesmaids like maids. This job title has a prefix, and the bridesmaids have already invested a lot of time and money to make sure that your wedding day is perfect.

What about another glass of wine? You’re covered.

Your bouquet? Your maid-of-honor will grab it in a flash.

Celebrate the celebrations!

2. Do not keep your guests waiting for too long.

Your guests will feel like the time between your ceremony and reception is a long one. This in-between time will seem endless if you don’t have some bubbly or appetizers on hand to keep the wedding party entertained.

Your photographer and videographer can capture the moments before the vows. You’ll need only a few more photos in your bridal attire before you can start the party and entertain guests.

Bonus tip: If the ceremony is located more than 30 minutes away from your reception location, it would be thoughtful to offer transportation or a chill zone for your guests. Do not have your ceremony start at 9am and your reception begin at 4pm. Remember your guests.

3. Do not bow down to external pressure.

You and your partner will be the only ones at the end of your aisle (plus your friends and the officiant but you get the idea). It’s a big no-no to neglect your partner while planning the wedding.

It’s not your day if you don’t want to invite anyone who makes you uncomfortable. You won’t invite someone who makes you uncomfortable.

4. Do not skip the run-through.

You’ll thank yourself when your wedding party doesn’t look like a bunch of toddlers running aimlessly down the aisle.

Practice your walk down the aisle, the exit from the reception and the seating arrangements in 30 minutes. It will be easier to manage the wedding party when it comes time. Everyone will know what is expected.