Planning a wedding can feel crazy, and can make you feel like YOU'RE even a little crazy. And that’s normal. Through my experience as a wedding planner, I've compiled a list of things it seems like I hear constantly from my couples, be it during the planning phases, on wedding day, or even AFTER wedding day. Here's a few things my couples have wished they'd done differently.
Oy vey. This one unfortunately is one of those things I've seen numerous times. My couple will hire a vendor that talks a good game, but when it comes time to deliver, we quickly realize they are lacking. A quick google review can alert you to so many things that you couldn't have picked up on before signing a contract. Vendors can truly make or break a day, so we want to be sure to pick good ones that show up and perform well!
One thing I see often in a wedding group is someone looking for a vendor that "doesn't cost an arm and a leg". This doesn’t help anyone, because what may be expensive or you isn't for someone else and vice versa. This is why wedding budgets are important! You know how much money you have to spend on a certain vendor, and you can put that in your post. This will help vendors know if they need to reach out to you and start a conversation or not! (This also helps you stay on track and not get swooped away by a good sales pitch and end spending more than you had allowed for a certain category!)
A lot of couples will try to skip doing this with a planner, especially if it's a venue the planner has worked with before and the couple has already been to see it. Hey, I get it! You're busy and it can be tricky to plan a trip back out that works with everyone's schedules. BUT IT IS SO IMPORTANT. Going to the venue to walkthrough with your planner and see the space together and share your thoughts and plans. This gives your planner an opportunity to suggest a certain floor plan so the flow works well, or to explain why something might not look the way you're envisioning it!
[If you're wondering what vendors to consider hiring - I have a page for that!]
Often, it's easy to assume you have plenty of time to book vendors. Especially living in the Nashville area, you know we have a ton of talent! While it's true that it'll never be impossible to book someone for photography, dj services, hair and make up, etc. I always suggest booking your main vendors as early as possible! Especially if there's a specific person you're hoping to hire. The wedding industry is booming here, and some vendors will book a year or more out; especially during peak wedding season!
I see many of my clients begin to struggle with wedding planning when they’re looking at the day as a whole. This gets overwhelming, and you can miss things. The way I handle wedding planning is by breaking the day up into sections, and then for each section I begin working my way though the details within that block.
So, for example, Lets start with the ceremony! I'll ask about how many reserved seats you'll need; how you'd like the wedding party to enter (single file, linked arms?) , If you'd like your family members to be a part of the processional (grandparents and parents - and if so who. will be escorting them?) If you'll have a flower girl or ring bearer, if you're writing your own vows or doing any special unity ceremony and what items you'd need for that ceremony. (Where will items such as sand and a container be placed during the ceremony if doing a sand ceremony. Who will narrate ceremonies such as a knot tying or feet washing ceremony.)
Once you have worked your way through the ceremony aspects, move on to cocktail hour! What do you want served, will you hire any entertainment during this time, and so on.
As you work your way through your day and are notating the things you'll need to make it all happen, be sure you're highlighting the to-dos or keeping a to do list so you know what your big tasks are!