As a wedding photographer who planner her own wedding, in 45 days no less, I have SO many tips for my couples after I Iearned things the hard way! Here are my top 10 things I wish I knew before planning my own wedding back in 2021:
- Wedding Planning Takes Time and Effort
One thing that I wish I knew before planning my wedding is just how much time and effort it would take. From finding the perfect venue and vendors, to designing the perfect wedding invitations and favors, there is a lot to do. I wish I had known to start planning early and to set aside plenty of time each week to work on wedding tasks.
- It Can Be Expensive
I SO wish I knew before planning my wedding just how expensive it could be. From the dress and tuxedo to the flowers and catering, there are so many costs to consider. I wish I had known to set a budget early on and to stick to it as much as possible. I also wish I had known about different ways to save money, such as buying a used dress or renting a tuxedo instead of buying one. Most vendors even put their starting prices on their websites to give couples an idea of the amount they may be paying to work with them! Be sure to check out my Experience page to see where my rates begin to make sure we are a god fit before inquiring!
- You Need a Plan B
Let’s talk about plan B’s! Whether it’s a backup venue or a plan for bad weather, it’s important to have a contingency plan in place in case something goes wrong. For instance, I wanted to have a tent just incase it rained for the reception… we ended up having a beautiful outdoor ceremony, but if we had the option we would have potentially moved the ceremony inside if it rained since the tent was so outside of our budget.
- It’s Not Just About You
Another thing that I wish I knew before planning my wedding is that it’s not just about me. I had a lot of ideas and visions for my wedding, but I didn’t always take into consideration the feelings and opinions of my partner or our families. I wish I had known to be more open to other people’s ideas and to work together to create a wedding that we would all enjoy.
- You Don’t Have to Do Everything Yourself
I wish I had known that I didn’t have to do everything myself. There are a lot of great wedding planners and coordinators out there who can help with everything from finding the perfect vendors to creating the perfect wedding day timeline. I wish I had known to hire someone to help us with all the planning, it would have saved us a lot of stress and time.
- It’s Not Just About the Wedding Day
Before planning my wedding, I wish I knew that it’s not just about the wedding day. If that makes sense? There are a lot of other events and activities that go into a wedding, such as the engagement party, bridal shower, and rehearsal dinner. I wish I had known to plan for these events and to budget for them accordingly.
- There Will Be Stress
I wish I had known that there would be stress, some things completely out of my control even. Planning a wedding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. I wish I had known to take breaks and to find ways to relax and de-stress, I had to skip my bachelorette party due to time restraints nad I wish I had gone! We were going to go to Glen Ivy Hot Springs and I just ran out of time between all the planning. But MAN, I could have totally used a soak and massage the weeks leading up the the wedding due to all the stress!
- You Need Support
I wish I had known that I would need support. Planning a wedding can be a lot of work and it can be overwhelming at times. I wish I had known to surround myself with friends and family who could help me with the planning and who could be there for me when I needed it most.
- It’s About More Than Just the Wedding
Another thing that I wish I knew before planning my wedding is that it’s about more than just the wedding day. I wish I had known to focus on the bigger picture and to remember that the wedding is just one day in our lives together. I wish I had known to enjoy the process and to make the most of the time leading up to the wedding.
- It Will Be Over Before You Know It
Finally, I wish I had known that all the planning, would be over just as soon as it started. I planned my wedding in 45 days and the planning felt like SO much but it really did fly BY!
Did I miss any good points? Please let me know below! For my step by step process of booking with me, and to learn how hiring me as your professional wedding photographer can alleviate stress, please feel free to check out my investment and about me page!
comments +