A Renowned Wedding Planner Shares Their Top Tips For a Stress-Free Event
The moments between the “yes” and “I do” can get stressful.
We’ve all heard of hiccups and bumps in the road when it comes to wedding planning. The flowers aren’t right, there’s not enough seating or hotel rooms for all the guests, the dress isn’t ready, the list can go on and on. As beautiful and memorable as a wedding can be, planning can get stressful with so many different elements to consider. So, we enlisted the experts at The Knot to share their tips and tricks for stress-free wedding planning. Read more below to hear their best ideas and ways to enjoy the process and keep that stress at bay.
Common Mistakes Couples Make In Wedding Planning
Getting Attached to a Specific Flower Type
“When you book your florist a year before your wedding day, they can only guess which blooms will be in your price range and available for your wedding. If your heart is set on orchids, you could be disappointed the day of. To prevent this, choose backups to your main blooms and add them to your contract. Try to think in terms of colors and shapes instead of specific flowers.”
Letting Other People Pick Your Wedding Party
“Your wedding party is yours, which means you're the one narrowing it down to your closest friends and family members, regardless of gender, familial ties, and many other factors. Picking people to please a family member can also result in a sticky situation, so it's best to choose what feels right for you. After all, it's your wedding day.”
Blowing Your Fashion Budget on Just the Dress
“If you have $1,500 set aside for your bridal look, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to buy a gown with a $1,500 price tag. Tack on tax and, if you're not buying off the rack, shipping. You'll likely need alterations too. Don't forget to factor in your undergarments, shoes, veil, hair accessories, and jewelry when budgeting for your overall look, as well.”
Messing Up the Marriage License
Sending Out Save-the-Dates Too Soon
“It may be tempting to tell everyone about your wedding date as soon as possible, but don't send those save-the-date cards until you've finalized the guest list. Save-the-dates are typically sent out eight to ten months before your wedding date, and only to guests you're positive will be invited.”
Ordering Your Wedding Dress Too Late
“If you're purchasing a wedding dress that needs to be customized or ordered, do so by the six-month mark latest. Since your dress will be custom made (and possibly shipped from overseas), buffer in ample time to receive the piece and complete fittings. In addition, most off-the-rack wedding dresses will require alterations, so make certain you have enough time for that entire process. The same goes for the bridesmaid dresses.”
Underpaying Invitation Postage
“You'd be surprised how many to-be-weds underestimate the postage stamp process with some dropping an entire batch into a mailbox without paying the correct amount. Most wedding invitations require additional postage, and the post back to you. Weigh an invitation at the post office before purchasing your stamps and be aware of any price increases too. Note: Square invitations require additional postage not only because of the weight but the shape too.”
Inviting Too Many Guests
“Your guest list and the maximum capacity of people at the reception site should match up. You can't invite 400 people assuming only 250 will accept. If you end up with 300 acceptances, you may have to turn 50 guests away at the door. As much as vendors would like to accommodate you, most wedding venues are prohibited from adding 10 more tables, especially since fire laws limit the maximum number of people allowed in any room at one time. Analyze your guest list from the get-go, assume 80 percent will respond "yes" and limit that amount accordingly.”
Micromanaging Your Vendors
“You're booking talented pros who understand your vision, so it's important to let them do their jobs. We know it's tempting to control every detail, but after your initial meetings, it's best to step back and trust the pros to get it right (and keep on good terms with them). After all, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!”
Hiring a Friend Instead of a Pro
“Your friend from college may make amazing workout playlists, but that doesn't mean he'll make a great wedding DJ. The same goes for your friend who's an expert Instagrammer—this doesn't make her a photographer. Even on a tight budget, we always recommend hiring professional wedding vendors with experience. Plus it's more fun if your friends can fully enjoy your wedding day with you anyway.”
Tips To Keep In Mind
Use A Budget Planner
“Use a planner such as Wedding Budgeter Planner. The first step couples should take is getting the decision makers together and establishing a firm budget. Many times, couples start booking vendors and making purchases without having a budget in mind—and then are shocked to discover they've already spent most of their money and don't have all of the things they need.”
Book Your Hotel Rooms In Advance
“If you're marrying during a busy time and you don't look into hotel availability in advance, you can end up with no rooms for your guests so reserve as early as possible. Begin your research up to a year in advance, and make sure your block is booked at least by the eight-month mark—if not sooner. Include hotel information in your save-the-date cards, wedding website and invitations. (FYI, you're just setting them aside—your guests will put down their own credit cards when they call to book the rooms.)”
Consider Hiring a Videographer
“Photos are a must for most couples, but they only take you so far—videos let you hear your and your partner's voices as you say your vows and watch your friends tear up the dance floor. By hiring a professional videographer to document your wedding, you'll relive those special moments you may have missed on the day, like interactions with grandparents, that you'll definitely want to treasure for a lifetime.”
Don’t Be Shy, Ask Questions!
“While it's important to be polite to your vendors, it's also important to make sure you get all the information you need. Don't be afraid to ask specific questions so that you understand exactly what you're signing up for. Ask your vendors to spell it out for you. "If your florist gives you a proposal that says 'healthy white flowers in May,' are they peonies? Are the carnations? Are they mums?" It may be uncomfortable to ask the pros so many questions, but it will help you and your partner make informed decisions throughout the process.”
Outside Help is Always a Plus
“If you're a couple lucky enough to have been offered help by friends or family members, by all means, take it. Too many people try to do it all, which can get overwhelming. Delegate and use all the resources that are available to you. When people offer to assist, like your mom, future mother-in-law or best friend, find something for them to do, like researching a vendor or addressing invitations. But it's important to keep in mind that these volunteers don't work for you, so accept their contributions graciously. If you need more help, hire a professional wedding planner so someone can take on those difficult tasks throughout the whole process.”
Make Memories, It’s the Start of a New Beginning After All!
“Keep in mind you're getting married and starting a life together. Be good to each other (and those helping you plan the celebration). Some tension, whether it's between you as a couple or with loved ones, is inevitable due to the heavy decisions that accompany weddings. Remember why you decided to take this leap in the first place.”