5 THINGS TO AVOID WHEN PLANNING A WEDDING
There are hundreds of wedding “to-do” lists on the internet that couples use as guidance for their wedding day– but it is equally important to define your list of wedding don’ts. Setting boundaries and defining your wedding don’ts will make your day feel like it truly is a day that reflects you and your partner. Using the knowledge from the hundreds of weddings we have hosted, this is our wedding don’t list–five things to avoid while planning the day of your dreams.
A first look at The Barn at Riverbend
1. Avoid going to visit too many venues and vendors.
Though wedding shopping is fun at first, try to keep tours and vendor appointments to a minimum. You will eventually get confused and they will all mash up together. It helps to visit their websites first to see what they do and how they present themselves. Read the reviews and narrow the field to 4 or fewer venues and vendors, then meet on site and see them in their space. Pick vendors and a venue that is not only to your taste, but you feel will take care of you on your day.
2. Avoid listening to too many voices.
Keep reminding yourself and others that this is YOUR day! Make sure you sit down as a couple and map out exactly what you want out of your wedding and work towards that. The couple getting married will most likely be the only ones who truly remember details of the wedding–so do the most important things for yourself and your memories. You want to make sure the wedding reflects you as a couple, and not anyone else.
3. Avoid NOT scouting out your most important photo
Every marriage probably has only one to three "lifetime photos" of their big day. Make sure you pick the venue and the setting you want those photos to be taken. Couples will forget most of the people who came, what they ate at the reception, and even the speeches their loved ones give. Make sure you pick the "Million Dollar Photo" that you will have for life. This, truly, will be one of the most important decisions you make. Try to picture what would look best hanging in your home or on your computer background–you will be looking at these photos for a long time, you want to make sure they are the best they can be!
Gorgeous table settings at Mission Theatre taken by Cassandra Marie Photography
An 8th and Main Wedding Ceremony
Beautifully set table at The Barn at Riverbend taken by Hana Alsoudi Photography
4. Avoid overdecorating
There are thousands and thousands of Pinterest boards dedicated to wedding table settings and wedding table decor. But, when brides are asked what they regret spending time and money on, it is almost always the reception table decor. Just remember, wedding table decor is not the centerpiece of the wedding–you are! But, if you are determined to have a fancy setting, try to rent the decor rather than buy it all yourself. There are a lot of companies that rent out wedding centerpieces and table settings that are much better for your wallet and your life after the wedding. No one wants to be listing wedding decorations on Facebook Marketplace right after they get married. Vases, candles, and place settings can get pretty pricey, so a great rule of thumb is to just keep table settings cute and minimal.
5. Avoid spending money on things that don't matter to you and your love
So many people try to get everything they want and run out of money. It is crucial to pick four to five (i.e. dress, food, florist, cake, videographer, personal touches related to your dating life, etc) things that are important to you and stick with them. Spend the most money on your venue and photographer. You want a venue that you are confident will take care of you and sets the stage for the wedding photos. Picking your favorite photographer is equally as important. The photos are what will last forever and what you will show your children one day. Setting a hard-line budget at the beginning of your wedding planning journey helps couples prioritize these aspects better. Book your venue and photographer early on so you can better navigate the less crucial parts of the wedding.
The biggest thing to keep in mind when planning a wedding is communication and expectations. Make sure you, as a couple, are on the same page when it comes to wedding expectations. Defining what you each don’t want can help you discover what you do want for your big day. This way when you both look back on your wedding, all you see is love and a party that reflects that unique love!