ready to crush wedding planning this new year?

The ringing in of a new year means a lot of fireworks, excitement, and for all our brides and grooms to be, it also means we’re getting closer to your wedding day! Planning a wedding means making a lot of decisions in a concise period of time that also require a large financial investment. The entire process can feel overwhelming- but don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Our top recommendation to help you get through planning a wedding is to hire a wedding planning team! Having a planning team by your side ensures that you have the support, resources, and expertise to help guide you through this process!

In the spirit of New Years Resolutions, we’ve put together our top 5 wedding planning resolutions to help you feel confident in planning the wedding of your dreams!

Resolution One: I will…

Curate your guest list with intention

The number of guests you have at your wedding directly correlates with how much you’ll have to spend to accommodate all of them. When thinking of who you want to invite to your special day, we encourage you to be intentional. You don’t need to invite every single person you know, or accommodate a large list of guest requests from your parents, or anything like that! The people at your wedding should be the people who mean the most to you and who you want there celebrating with you. On average, the cost per head at a wedding when you factor in all the different elements you’ll be paying for, breaks down to about $600-$1000. The costs add up quickly, so make sure that you invite people who you want to share in those memories most!

Resolution Two: I will…

appreciate that Quality is an investment

It’s easy to be overwhelmed when you begin planning and start to see the realistic cost of all the things you’ve been dreaming up. Yes, florals are expensive- they are a perishable item, need to be ordered in certain quantities, have extensive labor related needs, and are completely customized for you. And of course you need to account for service staff with your catering team- the consequence is getting a hefty fee from your venue if the property isn’t left in good condition (plus- the service staff are the people tending to you and your guests all evening, they create a great experience for everyone!). Each of your wedding vendors play an important role in your wedding, and quality is an investment. It’s important to be realistic with your wedding budget in today’s market. Your vendors are providing wonderful services and that comes at a price- a price for their products, overhead, labor, and talent. Investing in quality vendors means that you’ll have a great wedding.

Resolution Three: I will…

understand there are a lot of weddings happening

Your wedding is such a personal experience, and for some people, it can end up being a big part of their daily life. You spend hours looking up inspiration on Pinterest, save all your favorite photos on Instagram, talk to your family about your plans, have all the fun celebrations with your wedding party, and so much more! But do keep in mind that there are a ton of weddings happening all year long (and even on the day that you selected for yourself!). This means that if you want a certain vendor or element to your day that you need to be prepared to make decisions in a timely manner and have the financial investment ready to lock in the vendors you want. Vendors have limitations on how many weddings they can take and if you want to secure them for yours, make sure you are prepared! On that same note, realizing that you are not the only client that that vendor has booked is really important too. Your vendors are human and they are trying their best everyday to get back to all their clients, inquiries, manage their business, and work events too! Have a little grace if they need some time to get back to you! As long as they’ve been professional, courteous, and have everything lined up for your event, we can’t express how grateful they’d be to have clients be kind to them as well.

Resolution Four: I will…

Have fun throughout the planning experience

In between researching elements for your wedding, booking vendors, picking out your wedding attire, and everything in between, we encourage you to take the opportunity to have fun throughout the planning process. Planning a wedding can be so much fun and can be an amazing way to grow closer together as a couple. If you have the opportunity, take advantage of participating in activities like a menu tasting, venue site visit, cake tasting, signature cocktail tasting, hair and makeup trial, design meetings, and more. Your wedding should be a reflection of your personalities, your style, and your love story. We want you to walk into your wedding day and feel like you can look at all the elements of your day and remember how much fun you had planning!

Resolution Five: I will…

Remember the reason We’re getting married

There are so many factors that go into planning a wedding and it’s easy to get consumed in the details. You can find yourself spending your free time running through the checklists and trying to squeeze in as much planning as possible. But don’t forget that your wedding planning team is here to help with all of that! We’re here as a resource for you and are here to alleviate the stress that comes with planning your day! So be sure to take some time and remember the reason you’re getting married— because you found the love of your life and want to start this next chapter together!

Enjoy this season of your life and have fun being engaged! Go on date nights, spend quality time together, and take this time to strengthen your relationship and grow even closer together!