The Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Planning

Attention summer brides: the next few months are going to be crucial in making sure that all of your wedding plans come to fruition for your big day. With a surplus of wedding shows popping up over the winter months, it is easy to get carried away by designer dresses, floral bouquets, and gourmet wedding cakes. As a former bride and frequent bridesmaid, I understand how all-encompassing a wedding can be on one’s life. From drama-filled bachelorette parties to missing your flight for your honeymoon (yes, that actually happened) and everything in between. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that will not only prevent possible wedding disasters, but might just help keep you grounded throughout the planning process. Plus, most importantly, on the big day.

DO Stick To A Budget

It’s no secret that weddings are expensive! With many young couples paying for their weddings out of pocket, planning can be stressful. Making sure that you stick to your proposed budget and having your financing in order before signing any big contracts could save you from a major financial disaster. And hey, working through minor monetary strain together may be great practice for more pressing issues that might arise in the future.

DO NOT Try To Please Everyone

From bridesmaid dresses to shower dates to seating arrangements, it is impossible to make everybody happy. It is important to be courteous and respectful to the friends and family who are undoubtedly putting major time and money into your special day. Ultimately it is YOUR day and, when all is said and done, you will regret not making choices that made you 100% happy.

Sidenote: this does not give you permission to become a crazy bridezilla!

DO Prepare For Unpleasant Weather

There is no bigger disappointment then planning an outdoor wedding only to have it pour rain all day long (trust me, I know). But let’s face it: we live in Canada where the weather is typically unpredictable. Have a back up plan like indoor locations, tent rentals, and umbrellas for your guests. You might also want to consider a few different hairstyles depending on the weather. Remember: rain is not the end of the world. My outdoor ceremony was forced indoors, my curls flattened out within an hour, and the bottom of my dress was covered in mud. But, hey, I was happy and that is all that matters!

DO NOT Forget To Eat!

Seems simple enough, right? But it’s easy to get caught up in the moment with long conversations and numerous toasts. Plus, no one wants their photographer to snap a pic of them chowing down on messy h’ors d’oeuvres.

Just remember, if you forget to eat, all of those cocktails and champagne toasts could spell disaster by the end of the night.

DO Have A Schedule

Assign tasks to friends who you trust, and circulate the schedule amongst your wedding party and family. Nothing is more frustrating then being asked the same question over and over again when you are trying to focus on your march down the aisle. You can include details such as transportation, ceremony time, location of pictures, order of speeches, etc. Do not leave any work for the day of your wedding! After months of planning, you should finally be able to relax and have fun — that includes your parents and wedding party too!

DO Make It Fun

Feeling nervous or stressed out? Why not schedule a yoga session for you and your bridesmaids before all of the hype begins? This will ensure waking up on your wedding day feeling refreshed! Are your girls coming over to get their hair and makeup done? Make an upbeat playlist and get the mimosas flowing!

Your wedding day should be fun. Laugh, dance, and try not to stress over every little detail. Live in the moment, because it passes much too quickly!

If these “Dos And Don’ts Of Planning A Wedding” resonated with you, let View The Vibe know in the comments below or tweet us your thoughts on wedding planning @ViewTheVibe.