Tag Archives: planning

Trickle Down Effect

Your bridal experience is likely limited to attending weddings and, even if you have been in a bridal party, you are probably unaware of the scope of work planning requires. Therefore, what should be a fun, exciting time often becomes overwhelming and sometimes even dreaded. A great way to avoid this is by figuring out the single aspect most important to you and, surprisingly, everything else will fall into place with much more ease and less stress. A few examples follow:

Dress: Perhaps you can’t get a very casual, informal gown that could double as date night dress out of your mind. From that, without even knowing, you have made the rest of your planning infinitely simpler. It has lessened the likelihood of formal venues, fancy stemware, over-the-top decorations and many of the formalities that go along with ornate, unduly embellished ball gowns.

Flowers: If, for example, you are determined to surround yourself with blush peonies, you have automatically narrowed down the time of year (as they have limited availability) and homed in on a range of complementary colors for both your wedding party and decorations. Also, you have unofficially set a welcoming and familial tone.

Venue: Most important may be exchanging vows in the large, gilded cathedral you were raised in. Accordingly, gone are the less formal dressing options, bohemian style details and whimsical, DIY additions many brides who opt for less formal/less expensive weddings include.

There are exceptions to everything. You may decide to mix and match a bit of everything and, of course, it will come together flawlessly. However, choosing a focal point from which to branch out is a method to save time, energy and help you enjoy the planning process as much as possible.

Minimal Assistants


It goes without saying that, as a bride, you likely have a plan (or at least a clear vision) in place regarding most of your wedding day details. Making your ideas come to life may be challenging for many reasons leaving you wishing for sole responsibility over every component. Unfortunately, that is an impossibility as outside help, whether from friends and family or hired professionals, is required. However, every decision including the amount of assistance you want or need and from whom it comes is yours to make.

Remember that the period leading up to your special day is not just exciting for you but for those close to you as well. Many will offer their time, advice and skills to ease your burden and lower your stress level. While usually successful, occasionally their good intentions lead to uncomfortable situations and hurt feelings.

One objective of your wedding is for your guests to enjoy themselves which includes being able to take in everything going on around them. If someone offers to provide their services on the day of for something other than what you want, kindly pointing out some of the special things they would miss is a great way to decline the offer while avoiding being offensive.

Unsolicited offers will not just come for your ceremony and reception but may arise throughout the planning process too. Fortunately, those are easier to handle. During this time, you can include the individual(s) in different yet equally meaningful ways making it seem as if you are not being dismissive. For example, if your mom is determined for you to wear her veil and your heart is set on a birdcage, invite her to help you choose just the right one and offer to sew a piece of the veil inside your gown or to use it as a wrap around your bouquet.

All intentions are good when those who love you offer a lending hand as difficult as that may periodically be to keep in mind. However, it is the one day that all attention is on you and your future husband. Therefore, while always doing so kindly and with consideration, you should not feel guilty for ensuring that what you envisioned is exactly what materializes.

I’ll Take Care of You

Part of your wedding includes the experiences that you have along every step of the way and those often impact the decisions you make. It is important that each element is made to seem just as meaningful to those involved as it is to you and that you’re made to felt like just a number or source of income.

For example, if while dress shopping, you are rushed to make a decision or only one of many being tended to simultaneously, most likely, you’d be peeved and shop at another location. If a photographer gave you a stringent amount of time he/she would be willing to be of service and was completely rigid and uncompromising, certainly you would look elsewhere.

The same can be said about your venue. Never can one roam around a location unattended and the personality and flexibility of the wedding contact have what may seem a minor (but is actually quite an important) impact on where you choose for your ceremony site. Aside from showing you the grounds, that individual will help you in many ways that a wedding planner would (at no cost) in the sense of ensuring that everything you want is just as you request but also tend to the smallest details as they have intimate knowledge of each aspect of the facility. Wedding planners are good go-to guides but usually end up having to reach out to the wedding contact so if you find an amiable one, you can save money and cut out the middle man.

Not only should contact via phone or email via easy, you should receive both a prompt and accurate response to any unforgotten questions or concerns you may have. Pliability is important as it is your day and if someone is unkind or insensitive, it makes a negative impact on your decision as it’s a reflection on the locale as a whole as well as others from the location who may be involved.

Kindness is key. While purchasing a gown or choosing your flowers, while your interactions are important, in actuality, most likely are quite limited. A wedding coordinator is different from a wedding planner as they know the ins and outs of your ceremony site and are more invested in assisting you and making sure everything is perfect. Therefore, a coordinator can be crucial in your planning experience and your interaction should be strongly considered.