Do's for Your Wedding Day:
Tips from a professional photographer
Wedding planning is a whole job, am I right, folks? Everyone seems to have an opinion (and why is it always your future mother-in-law?), everything is expensive… how do you even start?! Who do you call first?
Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding
Read our list of wedding “I Do’s!” to help get you started. Don’t forget to check out last month’s post – I Don’ts! – to learn what to avoid when planning your special day. Want some more helpful wedding planning tips? I have a whole book – contact me here to get a link to the digital guide.
Make a Realistic Wedding Budget
How much do you want to spend on your wedding? Some folks want to go all out, and others would rather spend all that money on a honeymoon. Are you footing the whole bill, or are any relatives supporting the event?
Research your dream venues, and get an idea of cost. Many of these places can be very, very expensive, and it’s important to have a good idea of how much you’ll spend by the end.
Lock in Your Venue
Book your venue first. Often, this will dictate your wedding date. Side note: if you’re set on a particular date, start calling around as soon as you’ve decided – venues can book up quickly! Don’t book your other vendors first – they might already be booked for the date you end up settling on. Don’t forget: deposits and retainers are typically non-refundable.
Sort Out Your Priorities
Rate each vendor you’ll need by importance, and focus your funds on those categories. Strategize who you may already know that could help DIY things, and see what your vendor might already have to offer. For instance, your priorities may look like this (your venue should always be number one):
Ceremony venue
Reception venue
Ceremony music
Food/alcohol
Photographer
DJ
Flowers
Stationary/Graphic Design
Cake
Hair & makeup
Dress & accessories
Tux & accessories
Décor
Stop & Smell the Roses
Go with real florals. Nothing looks more realistic than real. Worried about price? Confer with your florist on in-season options, gorgeous greenery, and other budget-friendly options. Baby’s breath bouquets are beautiful and can be purchased days ahead of time in bulk. Want to DIY to save cost? Head to the flower section at the supermarket the day before, grab up whatever you like, and bunch your own bouquets. If you’re planning on using boutonnieres, make sure someone knows how to pin them, designate that person, and plan for around two minutes each to put on the day of.
Why Buy When You Can DIY?
I’m sure you’ve scrolled through social media and seen beautiful, lavish wedding décor. Can I let you in on a secret? I bet most of them were provided by the venue, or DIY’d by the couple and their families and friends. Check out what centerpieces and décor your venue has to offer. Scroll Pinterest for DIY décor. Save your funds for something your guests will enjoy even more than your décor – food and music!
Let's Eat!
The meal is probably the second largest budget eater, next to the venue. And let’s face it – if the food’s not great, your guests won’t forget it. Try the food you’re planning to invest in. Not all wedding catering is created equally. Remember how I said DIY if you can? This does not include food! Get a caterer, or use your venue. Your friends or family probably don’t want to spend all morning cooking. Let the pros handle everything from a delicious meal to food safety and serving.
Invest in Your Memories
Your photographer (me!) should be a high priority. Find someone with a style you love, and remember that they’re the one capturing this special day for the rest of your lives. Plan adequate time after the ceremony (and makes sure your guests aren’t bored during this lull in festivities) for photos, and consult with your photographer about a timeline and breakdown of photos.
Go with the Flow
Sh*t happens. Everything won’t necessarily go according to plan, despite your best intentions and meticulous planning. Things will happen that are beyond your control. But put those things into perspective – will it ruin your day? Will you be less married because a groomsmen forgot his socks? Take a deep breath, move on, and enjoy your spotlight.
At the end of the day, your wedding should be unique to you. Weddings aren’t a one size fits all event, and everyone will have different opinions on everything. Trust your gut, your fiancé, and your love. I hope these tips for a stress-free wedding help you out!
As a photographer, I’ve seen good weddings, bad weddings, mishaps and miracles. I’m here to capture the memories you want – that bring laughter and happy tears – throughout your years together.
Need help planning? Have questions? Send me a message! I’m happy to help.
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