10 Things I Wish I Knew While Planning My Wedding
Wedding woes are not a mood, and though we want to present wedding planning as something with “all rainbows and sunshine” — it’s far from reality. It can also be overwhelming at times, but it can also be an exciting and thrilling experience if done right!
So to help you navigate the process more smoothly, we’ve compiled a list of 10 things we wish we knew before planning our weddings, including setting a realistic budget, getting organized, and prioritizing what’s important to you.
Whether you’re a DIY bride or working with a wedding planner, these tips will help make your wedding planning journey more enjoyable and successful.
1. Start with a Realistic Budget
Our wedding budget got out of control very quickly. And this also happened to many couples who didn’t set a realistic budget. So, be sure to factor in all potential expenses, including those that might not be obvious initially, such as alterations, gratuities, and unexpected costs.
2. Rehearse the Entire Ceremony and Reception
In hindsight, we should have meticulously rehearsed every aspect of our ceremony and reception. While the ceremony went mostly as planned (thanks to our script), the reception lacked coordination. Learn from this mistake; take the time to rehearse every element to ensure a seamless experience.
3. Perfect Your First Dance
Our impromptu first dance made it obvious that neither of us was a good dancer. To avoid a similar fate, practice your dance. You and your partner can take a dance class. Also, you can watch tutorials on YouTube. And if you’re considering a non-traditional performance, inform your guests beforehand.
4. Allocate a Budget for Delivery Tips
While we tipped the guys who delivered the cake, flowers, tables, and chairs, we should have remembered to set aside money for food delivery drivers. Plan ahead to tip all necessary service providers to avoid last-minute scrambling.
5. Don’t Forget Your Honeymoon
Our primary focus was on our wedding day; we didn’t put enough thought into our honeymoon. So, set aside time to think about what you want to do for your honeymoon. Similarly, allocate a budget for booking a big trip or a mini vacation.
6. Assign Drink and Food Refill Duties
In our DIY setup, we overlooked the importance of designating individuals to monitor food and drink levels. Avoid this mistake by entrusting reliable friends or family members to ensure guests are well-served throughout the celebration.
7. Create a Shot List
Amidst the wedding frenzy, capturing moments with our loved ones and other guests slipped through the cracks. We advise creating a shot list and giving it to your photographer. This helps ensure that your wedding pictures are taken smoothly, and you’ll forget no one.
8. Opt for Online RSVP
RSVP cards – the part of the wedding that gave us a lot of headaches. Many of our guests lost their RSVP cards, so we just texted or called each to confirm their attendance. Do your RSVPs online to save yourself the hassle of lost RSVP cards and printing expenses.
9. Prepare Printed Copies of Announcements and Special Songs
Despite crafting elaborate playlists, we should have had physical copies on hand. This led to music chaos until we intervened. Also, designate someone to handle announcements and speeches to prevent unnecessary confusion.
10. Don’t Assume All Insurances Cover Pre-Marital Counseling
Before attending pre-marital counseling, verify with your insurance provider if the services are covered. A misunderstanding led to an unexpected bill for us.
Even though we enjoyed our wedding, we definitely would have done a few things differently. Just take our lessons learned as you start planning your big day. And to keep your wedding preparations more organized (no last-minute panics or missed deadlines), the All-in-One Premium Wedding Planning Spreadsheet can be your BFF. It lets you manage tasks efficiently. This customizable wedding planning organizer also comes with premade mood boards.

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