You’re making lists and calling friends and family to help with the details, and suddenly, you start wondering what you haven’t planned for. Well, Zazzle has your back! We’re sharing all the wedding tips and tricks that’ll make the planning process easier and reduce the stress on the soon-to-be-married couple.
Do’s:
Our first ‘do’ is a ‘don’t. Don’t stress – we’ve got you covered! With years of bridal expertise under our belt, we’ve already done the work here. Consider this your go-to guide, crafted with care and packed with expert insights.
Keep it Together
Since you’re in your ‘Wedding Era,’ now’s the best time to start getting organized. Find a binder to keep everything together – this way, if you need to, you can hand off all of your details to a trusted friend or family member. You can include color combinations, flower options, table decorations, and a seating chart.
Coordinate Calendars
When picking a date for your big day, make sure you’re up to date on ‘blackout dates.’ These are the dates when things will be busier in your local area. We all know holidays are hectic, but make sure to look for any conferences, charity walks, or local events that might impact pricing, availability, and overall congestion on your wedding day. If a day has special meaning to you (your parent’s wedding anniversary, etc), then the further ahead you plan the more likely you’re to get sensible rates.
Pro Tip: If you’re a year ahead of your event, take the time to drive the route to your wedding venue and see how bad the traffic is.
Watch Your Wallet
Make sure to leave room in the budget for any last-minute changes or issues that pop up. It can be hard in the world of weddings to stick to a budget. Mentioning the word ‘wedding’ can make prices magically double or triple. Have a soft budget that you’d like to keep and a hard budget that’s the absolute utmost you can spend without going broke.
Pro Tip: If you’re working on a tight budget, look into using fake flowers and keep the guest list small. Get creative with ways to pinch where you can and then you can splurge where you really want to.
Plan for the Unexpected
We know this is easier said than done! But we suggest that you plan as much as you can for things outside your control, like your guests. Start with setting up a wedding website, so your guests can RSVP by the requested date, and they can check on any important details there instead of bothering you. Discuss with your venue coordinator or best man what you want to do if an unexpected guest appears at the reception.
Don’ts:
Everyone will be telling you what to do at your wedding, but very few tell you what you shouldn’t do. We’re here to help you navigate this wedding whirlwind so you can look back with a smile instead of remembering the stress.
Let the To-Do List Grow
Once you tell everyone you’re engaged, every distant cousin or family friend expects to receive an invite. The more people invited, the bigger you feel the event should be, and before you know it the to-do list grows as long as your arm. Make sure to delegate to your bridal party – that’s why you picked them to stand beside you at your wedding. Let them help take a few smaller tasks off the list like driving the bridal party from one venue to another, helping grandparents find their seats, and putting together the welcome bags.
Forget to Plan Out The Seating Chart
Family dramas will always find a way to come together at the worst time possible! Help yourself out by separating the aunts and uncles who might not be speaking to each other, or putting the kids’ table away from the friend who likes to do shots.
Buy When You Can Rent
Weddings can easily go over the top and drain the bank account. Renting your wedding décor is a thrifty way to make your event look amazing but keeps you from having tons of candles, lanterns, or plates left over that you’ll never use again.
Pro Tip: If you’ve already bought an abundance of wedding items, why not look into reselling them or gifting them to a recently engaged friend? It’s environmentally friendly and spreads joy to others!
Let It Become Someone Else’s Day
Everyone will have their opinions about what they need to have at your wedding. But if you want your wedding to be child-free, without alcohol, or for it to be an intimate family-only event, then stick to your guns! This wedding is about the two of you getting married and what you want to do on this special day!
Our final tip is to remember to have fun and enjoy this process because before you know it, your wedding will be over and you’ll be married. It can seem overwhelming at times, but that’s when you call on your support system to help carry the load. Know that we’re here to help too, with everything from RSVPs and invitations to thank-you gifts and photo backdrops!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
