You just got engaged- woohoo!!! After the champagne high has worn off, it’s time to start planning your wedding. There’s a LOT of opinions around weddings. Things you should do, things you shouldn’t do, things you HAVE to do. At the end of the day, the only thing you HAVE to do at a wedding is get married. The rest is up to you! If you’re here, you probably aren’t interested in a stereotypical, traditional wedding. Here are my top tips on how to plan a wedding day that’s totally you.
Visualize Your Wedding Day
Sit down and picture your day. What do you see? Do you see yourself outdoors? Are you in a church? Are there a lot of people or just a few? It’s okay to not know exactly, but having a rough idea of things that are important to you will help in planning your day. Think about the feel of your day and what you want the vibes to be like. Is it more of a dinner party or a club vibe? Is it something completely different? Do you want it to feel formal or casual? Fun or more buttoned up? Find your balance of vibes and go from there.
What Makes You Smile?
Think about the things that make you and your future spouse happy. What are your favorite tv shows? Hobbies? Reminisce on your favorite memories and what made them your favorites. Are there any images or places that instantly make you think of each other? Find ways to tie in the moments from your relationship that are uniquely you. Think about music, food, places, people, pop culture, or whatever it is that is special for you two.
Think Of The Big Moments and the Little Things
Another thing to think about are the things in life that give you all the feels. Those butterflies in your stomach or that excited heart racing feeling. Where did you have your first date? Where was your first kiss? How did they propose? When did you say “I love you” for the first time? Think about the big moments in your relationship and how you can incorporate them into your day. Maybe it’s playing the song that was on at the bar you first met for your first dance or cake cutting. Maybe it’s recreating the night you got engaged. Finding ways to tie in the special moments will instantly make your day tailored to you two.
Tradition or No Tradition?
With weddings, there are a lot of traditions. Traditions can be great, but they are all totally optional. Don’t do anything that doesn’t feel right to you two! If you hate cake, don’t do a cake cutting! If a garter toss makes you cringe, skip it. Or better yet, take traditions and put your own twist on it. Maybe instead of a first dance in front of everyone, do a first dance in your couple’s suite with just you two and your photography team. Cut a pie instead of cake if you love pie! Or just screw all the traditions and do your own thing. Whatever feels right to you.
Ask Your Loved Ones
When in doubt, ask the people you trust most. They have watched your relationship blossom firsthand, and may be able to help in coming up with ideas for your day! Of course, take all of their ideas as just that, ideas. Don’t feel like you have to do something if it doesn’t feel right to you. If someone suggests something that you’re not a fan of, thank them for the suggestion and let them know you’ll consider it. There’s no obligation to do anything on your wedding day that you’re not comfortable with.
Infuse Your Personality
I love when couples bring their personality into their wedding day. If you have a pet, incorporate them into the cocktail napkins or signage! Have a funny inside joke? Make it a little “hidden Mickey” in a program or in the design. Use table numbers to share your favorite places or artists. Put fun facts in your wedding program. Have your favorite foods made into mini versions during cocktail hour. Bring in the things that make you two special and your day will feel like a true reflection of you.
At the end of the day, your wedding is about you two, and no one else. Keep that at the center of your wedding plans and you can’t go wrong! Take a peek around my galleries for inspiration from other couples if you need an extra spark of creativity.
