Not very long after Cyle proposed I went into a wedding planning panic when I realized all of the decisions we had to make and (jokingly) yelled at him “How dare you put all of this pressure on me!” and then we got further into checking off the list of items and the pressure sunk in more, and then, I just let it go realized that a million things could go wrong with my wedding, we could get rained out, the food could taste terrible- or not be enough, but at the end of the day, I get to marry my fiance and celebrate that!
Today I’m sharing a few important tips for making it through your wedding planning adventure!
Keep a binder and print off copies of ideas you love to put in it. This binder is the one I use and I love it! It has a handful of pages that I am not using, but is very organized and clean- just what I need! Instead of describing the cake I want, I found pictures on Pinterest (more on that later) and printed them off. I did the same for decor and ideas I love. It helps you quickly reference and describe what you want to relatives, but…
Don’t ask for too many people’s opinions, and don’t tell them every detail of the wedding. When you ask for opinions you get feedback, when you get feedback you question yourself and your choices, and then you stress out and try to “fix” everything. It’s nice to ask people’s opinions on a few things, such as food choices (hey, you’re not the only one eating!) and nice locations, but as far as asking them about your flowers, dress, decor, and every detail it’s best to keep it to yourself and your fiance, and let everyone be surprised by what they see- instead of knowing all of what is going to happen at the wedding.
Pinterest will be your best friend, but your greatest enemy. Pinterest was SO helpful in helping me envision my simple wedding, and gave me so many websites to look at to create my own invitations and affordable decor. But Pinterest also caused a good amount of anxiety for me. There were, ok are, so many times where I would plan something, get it in the binder, then see a new (and in my mind way better) idea on Pinterest, and feel like mine wasn’t good enough.
The best thing you can do is pin like CRAZY in the beginning, give yourself a few weeks (or maybe just one if you’re like me and went really nuts) to just find ideas you love and save them. Also, organize your boards, don’t just pin everything to one board. My Pinterest has a separate board for wedding flowers, invitations, cake and food, vow/ceremony ideas, and another one just for general wedding ideas.
Go to wedding expos, but only after you have a plan. And only go with your fiance. Wedding expos are so overwhelming. You get thrown into a giant room full of hundreds of vendors and brides and you are expected to come out feeling better and more organized. Cyle couldn’t make it to the first expo we went to, so I invited my MIL and parents, and, although I love them very deeply, it was a bad idea. Unless you want a lot of opinions and more information thrown at you, go with the only person’s opinion who matters, your fiance! Also, don’t bring your binder, instead, save photos of your top themes/ideas on your phone to show vendors.
If you do attend an expo, bring an address label with your name, address, phone number, and email on it to give vendors or use to put on the entry forms for giveaways. Always enter the giveaways! Even if you think you won’t need half off a hall rental, or don’t think you will get your dress from that store, enter anyway! I booked several appointments at the expo just because they offered a discount if I booked immediately, then after the expo I sorted through them and decided which ones I actually wanted to attend and looked up prices and costs of that vendor.
Ask for help and donations. I have had so many family members and coworkers who have given me so many decor items for free from their wedding just because they want to get it out of their house, but don’t want to throw it away! You may not even have to ask, and if they’re giving it, take it, you may end up using the tulle or table numbers that a friend or relative offered that you originally weren’t going to take.
Do you have any more tips on how to keep your cool when wedding planning? I’ve only been engaged since Christmas Eve 2015- so I know there are so many more tips out there! Share them below!
A Night Owl Blog,Carrie This Home, Love Grows Wild, Boogie Board Cottage, Coastal Charm, Dwelling In Happiness, The Dedicated House, Confessions of a Plate Addict, A Stroll Thru Life, House on the Way, Tiny Sidekick, The Official Blog Guide, Enjoy the View, Oh My Creative, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Happy Kids Inc, Living Well Spending Less, Someday Crafts, The Blissful Bee, The Kitchen and Beyond, Ruffles and Rainboots, Hymns and Verses, The 36th Avenue, Practically Functional, Domestic Superhero, Coffee With U
Leave a Reply