Helpful Tips When Planning Your Big Day
With all the excitement that comes with planning your wedding, stress often follows. There are so many moving parts and it can become overwhelming if you don’t have a clear starting point. Below are some helpful tips of what to focus onleading up to your big day.
Getting finances in order: As we all know, wedding expenses can add up! It is important that both the bride and groom discuss the financial aspects of planning for their wedding day. Sometimes existing debt can hinder couples from havingthe wedding they truly desire. Luckily, there are resources available that can help. Here is a great article about how young couples can knock off some of their existing student loan debt more quickly. Additionally, if parents are contributing to the wedding budget - have a discussion about it first and foremost. These convos can be tricky, but if you do them early and are open and honest about it - they end up being a lot smoother than just never discussing it at all!
Who’s coming?: Your guest count is priority number one. Do your best to get an approximate number of people you plan to invite before you even think about planning a venue. Your guest count will often determine your budget, your venue, even what city you end up choosing to get married in. When planning who to invite (and if on a tight budget) remember that for each guest there isn't just a food related cost - there is a chair, plate, fork, knife, napkin, etc. and that adds up quick! Some venues even base their pricing on guest count.
Hire a Planner: This feels like a luxury to many. But the reality is, a lot of the wedding stress can be alleviated by hiring a planner to guide you through the process. Help you avoid missteps and pitfalls that are what cause the stress in the first place. Planners can also help you save money! So be sure to include a line item in your budget for them! I have a whole article dedicated to just this one topic here
Put yourself first: Write out a checklist of all you need to do and by what time - and write in time for yourself. Add in "go out on a fun date" as part of your checklist. Be sure to tackle everything as a team with your partner and putt your mental health and sanity at the forefront of planning. THEN, start looking for dresses and suits! There are so many options, whether you’re planning on renting or finding a budget friendly option to complement your wardrobe for the long haul. Once you find the perfect outfits make sure you schedule at least two fittings. Naturally, everyone wants to look great on their big day so don't wait until the last min to try a quick diet. Do your research. Maybe visit a nutritionist. It's not about a quick fix, it's about a long lifestyle change. So if you're looking to lose weight before the big day, you’ll be spending time dieting and exercising months before hand.
Tame your hair: For the Grooms out there, don’t be afraid to style your hair. There are plenty of men’s hair products like finasteride that help fight thinning hair. Ladies - don't color or cut your hair too close to the wedding - do all of that well beforehand to avoid any mishaps. Do your part to look your best; these pictures will be around forever.
De-Stress: With your wedding day approaching, take time for yourself. It’s important to blow off some stress by doing things you enjoy like going to the spa with your friends. Or hitting the golf course with your best man, Studies haveshown spending time with friends drastically decreases stress. And sometimes, those friends are not in your bridal party. And that's okay!
Honeymoon Prep: You’ve made it through the big day without a hitch! Now you can spend some quality time together. Take the time to do some research to find the best deals on honeymoon trips. If going overseas is a bit too pricey, there are plenty of local destinations that serve as great romantic getaways. Be sure to do this along with all the other wedding prep. Don't wait until the last minute when you've spent the money elsewhere.Just remember you’re planning the best days of your life. This is supposed to be a fun experience shared between you and your significant other. Take time to enjoy the process and don’t sweat the small stuff!