Monthly Planning Tips

2021

January
ABC’s of Wedding Planning

A: Assess – Assess your wedding day goals and determine what you’ll need to achieve them. “A goal without a plan is a wish” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This can include details on venue, wedding location if you are having a destination wedding, wedding party, attire, etc…).

B: Budget – set a reasonable budget since you have a life to live after your wedding day. If possible, do your best to avoid sacrificing your honeymoon because wedding day planning is too costly. If you are not aware of vendor/venue pricing, do your research to be sure your budget is possible or adjust accordingly.

C: Create – be creative with your wedding day and plans (i.e. decor, logistics, personal touches, etc…). You can gain creative ideas from a variety of sources: social media, Pinterest, wedding websites, wedding books/magazines, wedding tv shows, attending family/friend’s weddings, etc…

February
Wedding Planning Tips During COVID-19

COVID-19, Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or whatever name you want to call the virus that took the world by storm in early 2020; this virus has hit many industries hard, impacted incomes, and had many other personal impacts on families. My heart and prayers go out to all who have lost loved ones or have been affected in any way. As you most likely know, the wedding industry was severely impacted by this virus, so I wanted to offer a few planning tips that might help couples think through some of these challenges so that they can still enjoy their modified big day. Although these tips may seem obvious after dealing with this virus for more than a year, you can use this as a mental list of things to track as you draw closer to your day. 

Tip 1. Follow COVID safety precautions and be creative with your reinforcements.

Tip 2. Use outdoor areas as much as possible.

Tip 3. Keep guest count intimate while also making guests feel as involved as possible.

Tip 4.  If guests will attend your event, consider limiting guest interactions and touchpoints during your event.

While COVID-19 may cause a wrinkle in your original plans remember this most important tip – “No matter what happens, if at the end of your wedding day, you are married to the person you love, then it was a roaring success.” – Unknown

March
5 Tips to Keep You Organized During Your Wedding Planning Process

While planning your wedding it is easy to get overwhelmed, lose track of items, forget major to- dos on your  list or just simply get lost in the process. To help navigate through this I wanted to provide a few basic tips to help you stay organized.

Tip #1: Keep Wedding Items in One Place

If you purchase any tangible items for your wedding or related activities keep them all in one designated place. Consider creating an inventory list to track essentials. Physical folders or online storage are always a good idea for storing things like contracts, invoices, receipts, relevant ideal pictures, vendor brochures, etc… You may even want to consider a large storage bin or large decorative chest as you will be surprised how many items you can accumulate until wedding day. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to create a scrapbook of your planning process post wedding day!  This is one of my favorite to-dos after a wedding to revisit the memories.

Tip #2: Create a Separate Email Address

For all things wedding, create a new email address to keep all wedding email details in one location. This avoids mixing wedding details with personal/ work/ other emails allowing you to look at the emails when you want or makes it easier to ignore if you are too overwhelmed from other emails.

Tip #3: Create or Utilize Wedding Checklist

A wedding checklist helps ensure that all main tasks are known and accomplished. There is also the joy of crossing something off the list as an accomplishment whether big or small. Ensure you have a manageable list with timeframes or segments to keep your stress at a minimum.   

Tip #4: Keep Single Source List of Vendors

It is essential to keep all vendors or contacts on one list through an easily accessible source (mobile or cloud based is preferred) as you may need to contact them throughout the planning process. 

Tip #5: Get Assistance

Hire or utilize a trusted relative, friend, or co-worker to assist on the wedding day or throughout the planning process. While you are very capable to handle your big day exclusively, it is best to minimize wedding issues by getting help, deferring, and delegating to others so that you can enjoy your special day.

Hopefully, these tips were helpful and provide a foundation to help you remain organized. While this is not a comprehensive list these are some top ideas to have a few less things to worry about. Think of it the way Benjamin Franklin stated “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.”

April
Wedding Resources

This month I thought it would be good to share a few of my favorite “Go To” resources for all things wedding to help with your planning. According to Tom Peters, “innovation comes only from readily and seamlessly sharing information rather than hoarding it.” So let your wedding innovation begin.  

May
Diverse Vendors

One good thing that was highlighted in 2020 was an increased focus on diverse, local, and small businesses so I thought it would be good to share a few potential resources I learned about that fits in one of these categories. Hopefully during your wedding planning, you can consider utilizing diverse, local or small businesses. Several good examples of vendors to consider could be paper stores for invitations, bakeries, florists, make-up artists, photographers, catering companies, and the list goes on.

Here are few options I recently learned about:

Please note I have no affiliation with the companies or any incentives to promote them. I’m simply passing on knowledge I’ve recently gained.

Diversity is essential as Jimmy Carter stated “we have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” 

June
Honoring Your Deceased Loved One

The long-lasting devastation of COVID-19 has claimed the lives of many loved ones unexpectedly during this tough time. I thought I would share a tip with some ideas on how you can honor your deceased loved one on your special day. While I know this can be a difficult topic, my hope is that it helps someone find small ways to find strength as well as comfort in the face of such loss. No matter the cause of your loss or the time that has might’ve gone by, be grateful for their impact in your life on this special day.

Below are a few ways to celebrate and honor the memory of a significant person in your life that has passed on:

  • Reserve a seat in the front with memorial items or your loved ones favorite items
  • Consider getting a life-size cutout to include them at the wedding altar
  • Make a note in your ceremony program or have a reflective moment during the ceremony
  • Add an heirloom or pin their photos to your outfit or bouquet
  • Incorporate flowers that have a special meaning to them or their favorite flowers
  • Light a candle for them
  • Arrange a memory table
  • Play a special song
  • Make a donation to a charity that your loved one supported

While this is not an exhaustive list hopefully this will pique your imagination, to explore further.

I would like to end this tip by extending my condolences and prayers to you and your family. I know it is not easy, however my hope is that the suggestions above will give you a good reflective idea to honor the memory of your loved one on your special day. As Billy Graham stated -“No matter how prepared you think you are for the death of a loved one, it still comes as a shock, and it still hurts very deeply.”  

July
Bachelorette and Bridal Shower Tips

As celebrations start to resume, I thought it would be nice this month to focus on festive tips for bridal showers/bachelorette party tips. Bridal showers or bachelorette parties are a great way to have fun interactions and allow friends & family to get to know each other more prior to the big wedding day. Below are a few tips or ideas to keep in mind to celebrate.

  • Consider a weekend getaway to celebrate in a favorite location
  • At the shower/party event consider the following:
    • Have a creative theme to keep guests entertained
    • Have a signature cocktail or bar theme for the celebration
    • Have fun games – especially ones to get to know the bride/couple more
    • Have favors for your guests that ties to the event/wedding theme
    • Have a central focal piece or activity to make the event memorable/photogenic
    • Consider having interactive activities where guest can make a keepsake – like painting, jewelry, pottery, or other decorative pieces
    • Have a marital advice tip activity and creative container to store
    • Ensure the music keeps the fun going
    • Have bridal wear similar colors, labeled t-shirts or other distinction item
    • Have an inclusion of fiancé some way to acknowledge the couple in entirety
    • Serve cake during the gift opening time to help event flow and be resourceful with time

“Always appreciate the gift of life. Be happy and have fun.” Michael Jackson

August
Bachelor Event Tips

As full capacity celebrations start to resume, I thought it would be nice this month to focus on festive tips for bachelors since last month’s focus was on bridal showers/bachelorette party tips. We all know that bachelor events are a great way to have fun interactions and allow friends & family to get to know each other more prior to the big wedding day. Below are a few tips or ideas to keep in mind to celebrate.

  • Consider a weekend getaway in a favorite location
  • At the event consider the following:
    • Make sure groom is onboard with event plan/festivities
    • Make sure guest list is groom-approved
    • Consider physical activity type events
    • Consider doing something related to favorite hobbies
    • Have fun with party challenges
    • Think of extras to make the event special/memorable
    • Consider a day other than the night before to give additional recovery/rest time
    • Spend wisely
    • Enjoy the time together to connect/reconnect

“Have fun, even if it’s not the same kind of fun everyone else is having.” ― C.S. Lewis

September
Wedding Attire

For this month I wanted to explore wedding attire tips for the wedding party and wedding guests. Weddings are exciting so I wanted to share a few tips to help you enjoy and find the right outfit.

Wedding Party

  • Ensure outfits compliment bride and groom attire style
  • When selecting attire, be sure to consider your wedding party figure types and color preferences that match the wedding decor 
  • Consider letting wedding party choose their own outfit within a collection or color pattern
  • Keep your wedding party’s budget in mind

Since after or your before your wedding date you can be a wedding I thought I’d share a few pointers to help you with attendee wedding attire

  • Follow the invite dress code
  • Dress for the season
  • Use the venue for attire inspiration
  • Dress respectfully
  • Consider the wedding timing daytime, afternoon versus evening and wear applicable attire
  • Avoid dressing too casually
  • Check the weather to prepare for weather with layers or accessories  

Happy shopping!!

“Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality.” — Shawn Ashmore

October
Wedding Budget

As stated in a prior monthly tip the best thing to consider thoughtfully is the budget. Set a reasonable budget for your wedding date since you have a life to live after your wedding day. So it’s important to plan and spend accordingly. Below are a few items to consider to help your wedding budget.

  • Create a realistic budget and keep to it
  • Venue Related:
    • Consider choosing a naturally beautiful location so you will have minimal décor to add
    • Consider holding the ceremony at home or outdoors
    • Choose a non-traditional venue or a dual purpose venue
    • Consider having a destination wedding
    • See if you can reduce cost by bringing your own alcohol
  • Wedding Date/Time Related:
    • Choose an off-season (non-summer) wedding date or a day other than Saturday
    • Consider having an early daytime wedding start time
  • Vendor Related:
    • Recruit talented friends to help save money on vendors
    • Contact the local university to utilize students for music or photography
    • Hire a wedding planner/day-of coordinator (their resources can save you time and money)
  • Miscellaneous/Random Tips:
    • Cut the guest list if this increases your cost.
      • Try keeping it intimate
    • Do DIY projects as much as possible such as flowers, wedding invites, etc…
    • Choose in-season flowers and food (out of season items adds additional cost)
    • Try the wedding cake switch – have a display cake and then serve a sheet cake guests or consider a variety dessert table as a cheaper offering too
    • Use decorations that can be utilized in multiple areas on your wedding day
    • Utilize discount websites and buy in bulk
    • Skip any traditions that are not important to you.
    • Don’t sacrifice your honeymoon because you spent too much for your wedding day

Happy planning on a budget!

“Budgeting Has Only One Rule: Do Not Go Over Budget.” – Leslie Tayne

November
Wedding Registry

We all love gifts and weddings are a great time to receive and give them. Here are a few registry tips to help the happy couple.

  • Wedding registry item options
    • Get started early – have your registry finished at least three to six months before the wedding
    • Make it a joint project with your spouse to be
    • Assess your household needs
    • Do your research
    • Shop in person and around to get a true idea of items you want/like
    • Be considerate of your guests – select items for multiple price ranges
    • Don’t overwhelm your guests with too many items on your registry
    • Update registry often as your needs can change leading up to the wedding day
    • Be creative and think outside the box for items
    • Register at several stores
    • Ensure registry has good return and shipping options
    • Think further down the road and register for items you could need in the future
    • Tell people about your registry as early as possible
    • Send Thank You Notes to show your gratitude
  • You can create a monetary gift registry for items such as:
    • Charitable donations
    • Honeymoon
    • Housing projects
    • House purchase
  • Housing items you can include in your registry:
    • Electronics
    • Linen
    • China
    • Bedding
    • Tupperware
    • Everyday dishes and utensils
    • Appliances
    • Cookware
    • Backyard or gardening
    • Gift cards to popular stores on online markets

 Happy registry creating!

“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.” – Pindar

December
Honeymoon

I figured the last tip of the series should cover my favorite part of planning, the happy couple’s quality time alone together. The big reward after all the hard work of planning your wedding, dealing with others’ expectations or thoughts, juggling life outside of your wedding, etc…Here are a few honeymoon tips to consider.

  • If possible, do not skip the honeymoon or say you will do it later because sometimes life gets busy and interesting so you might not be able to plan one down the road as you hoped.
    • Even if you have to do something small or for just a few days you owe it to each other to have the quality time post wedding planning.
  • Utilize a travel agent to help alleviate one planning stressor
  • Plan your honeymoon together
  • Set a realistic budget for your honeymoon
  • Do your research
  • Book early to get good pricing
  • Buy travel insurance
  • Plan for, and be aware of, unforeseen expenses
  • Check exchange rates if doing international traveling
  • Ensure you do activities that you both like – this is your connection time
  • Pack smart and light
  • Embrace the local culture if you are honeymooning abroad
  • Schedule surprises
  • Capture your forever memories

Enjoy your honeymoon planning!

“A honeymoon is an opportunity to connect with one another and lose yourselves in blissful romance. May the time you share be memorable in every way!” – cutelovequotesforher.org

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