Planning a Wedding
is supposed to be fun... right? Right?!
As a 10 year veteran of the wedding industry I have heard it all. The worst period of "wedding dread" was of course during the 2020 Pandemic and lock down. I can't tell you how many brides told me they just couldn't wait for "it" to be over. **tires screeching** Wait what? You can't wait for you wedding to be "over"? Not just "here"?! It was the worst feeling to try and coach those couples into happiness during photos because it truly was not the day they planned. I believe those brides' experiences had a profound effect on the wedding industry as a whole, but it changed for the better.
There is so much pressure from external sources to have a wedding "like they did", especially in this era of social media influence. The pressure to match expectations if financial help is involved becomes exponential! When newlyweds were forced to extremely cut down guest counts, and meal options, and entertainment options I think it opened a lot of paths to new versions of weddings and I am so grateful for it.
If the stress of meeting expectations from your friends and family becomes too much, close your eyes, take a deep breath and really envision your wedding. Do you have the dramatically lit hall, with pipe and draped walls, an imported chandelier and a fog machine creating the drama you've been dreaming about since that kindergarten viewing of Phantom of the Opera? Amazing, push forward with the plans you've been dreaming of and skip to the end of this post.
If you've closed your eyes and envisioned running away in a convertible with your future spouse, doing a courthouse ceremony and spending the money on the BEST vacation you've ever taken - maybe you re-think the plans about your wedding day. It's okay to make it smaller, it's okay to make it ABOUT THE TWO OF YOU. It's also okay to want coverage of whatever intimate thing you have planned so you can still have the wedding photo experience without the headache of filling out a seating chart for 3 months.
To Find Middle Ground
If you are fast approaching your big day - and can't cut the budget in half use some of these ideas to bring your day from a 15 to a 7
- Increase the time you get to spend with your guests - yes, attend cocktail hour. Do have games and a fire pit ready for socialization if your crew aren't dancers. Even old-fashioned receiving lines are making a comeback so you can be guilt free for your party!
- Make space in the timeline for your needs - is your social battery small? It's okay to have the ceremony + family photos, then get in your ride for a 30 minute recharge before you join cocktail hour. Plan breaks during getting ready, pre and post ceremony, and even during the reception.
- Reduce the volume - literally. In the age of over-stimulation turning the volume down in a couple of scenarios helps reduce the stress of trying to have conversations with your guests.
- You can have live musicians instead of a playlist at cocktail hour. It's a treat for your guests and they can choose how far or close to stand.
- Dinner music should just keep the silence away, not be loud enough to put on a show! Use that hour as an opportunity to sit and relax, not fight for conversation with your new spouse!
The main thing: Focus on the experience - go back to that vision from a minute ago, what does that have, that your current plans do not? If you need clarity on how to get to the wedding of your dreams email me your questions so we can get to work on how to get you the day of your dreams!
Christine
