Top 10 Wedding Planning Tips Every Couple Needs To Know
Aideen McCanny has given us some great tips
1. Money talks
Probably the least enjoyable aspect of wedding planning, but ultimately the most important, determine your budget and stick to it. Before you delve into the wonderful world of weddings, you need to know what budget you have to work with. Once you determine the figure, allocate a budget to each specific element of the wedding. Try not to exceed the amount, but if for example, you spend more on flowers than you intended, you’ll need to cut back on something else on your list. It’s a good idea to be flexible, but also to prioritise what you deem important so that you don’t get carried away on those items which mean less to you.
2. Organisation is key
As with planning any event, organisation is key if you want the process to be stress-free. Ladies it’s time to get out that big wedding book you started during your younger years! If you’re traditional, a big folder and notebook are perfect for keeping track of everything such as clippings from magazines that have caught your eye, or invoices from vendors. Or, if you’re of a modern persuasion and prefer to go paperless, no problem! A spreadsheet will serve as your wedding savior, while there are a wealth of apps out there which will help keep you super organised.
3. Determine the details
Getting down to the nitty gritty details can seem daunting but it’s the big first step in putting plans into play. It’s time to crunch numbers and decide on your guest list, bearing your budget in mind. Think about where and when you’d like to get married and start making contact with a few venues to get quotes and set up visits. While doing all of these, keep in mind what it is that you both want for your day.
4. Use reputable vendors
Unless you’ve planned a wedding before, it can be hard to know who to choose to do what. But, the good news is that it’s really easy to decide. Firstly, speak to family members and friends who have recently tied the knot. Ask them who they worked with and if they would recommend them. Secondly, it’s time to attend a wedding fair or two. Don’t get bogged down by going to too many as information overload can lead to even more confusion. Go early, have a list of areas that you need to sort and speak to vendors. You’ll quickly establish a view of whose work you like and if your personalities mesh. Then, check out their websites for more examples of work, and those all important testimonials on their social media sites.
5. Stay inspired
When it comes to getting inspired, there is a wealth of information at your fingertips. From wedding blogs to magazines, apps, and not forgetting the holy grail of all… Pinterest – there’s a world of inspiration waiting to be uncovered. My personal favourite is Pinterest as not only will it give you tonnes of ideas, you can stay super organised, by creating individual boards for each element. These come in handy for scenarios such as sending your baker ideas for your cake, or showing a dress shop styles that you like. Have fun and embrace the #inspo.
6. Delegate, delegate, delegate
Although it’s your wedding, you’re not alone. Your family and friends will be more than willing to lend a helping hand. Call on your leading ladies to help with things like sending invites, or making up favors. And don’t forget that your groom should be involved too. He may not have been planning it in his head his whole life, but most men like to get involved with things like the menu and music. And, he’ll never turn down cake tasting!
7. Expect the unexpected
Okay, so here comes the scary bit… not everything might go exactly to plan. If you can accept that, your wedding planning experience will become a whole lot easier. But, if you’re well prepared and have plans in place, nothing major will go wrong. Plus, you’ll be so blissfully happy on your wedding day that nothing will put a damper on it.
8. Feel fabulous but don’t go overboard
No doubt you’ll want to look and feel amazing on your wedding day, so if you’d like a little confidence boost, now is the time to take care of your body by adopting a healthy eating plan, and introducing a few exercises into your daily routine. With that being said, don’t overdo it. An extreme diet definitely isn’t the way to go. And remember, your fiancé wants to marry you exactly as you are.
9. Take time for you
It’s easy to become consumed by wedding planning, but don’t let it take over your life. Planning should be a fun experience and you shouldn’t lose sight of why it is that you are doing it. Take some time off from planning and enjoy date nights with your other half, which are free from wedding talk. Give yourself some time to breathe – it’ll make the experience even more enjoyable.
10. Take it all in
Last, but definitely not least, soak it all up! No doubt you’ve spent a year or two planning your wedding (and even longer in your head), so remember on the actual day to take a few minutes with your hubby to sit back, and take it all in. If you made it up the aisle and said your “I dos”, then the day is a success. And if everything else goes to plan, it’s an added bonus.
Happy planning!
