Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting and overwhelming times in your life. The endless decisions, Pinterest boards, and DIY dreams can easily become all-consuming. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably already spent hours browsing through wedding inspiration and fantasizing about every detail of your big day. However, the wedding planning journey is not all glitz and glamor – it comes with a lot of unexpected challenges. Today, I want to share wedding planning secrets I wish someone had told me before I started planning my own wedding.
Hopefully, these insights will save you time, energy, and even money, helping you stay sane through the process! Let’s get into it shall we?
5 Wedding Planning Secrets You Need to Know
Since planning my own backyard wedding and wedding planning for other DIY brides and grooms, I’ve learned a lot of hard truths. Here are the wedding planning secrets most wedding websites won’t talk about.
1. You pay either way. With time, or money.
When it comes to planning your wedding, nothing comes without a cost. If you’re trying to save money, be prepared to invest your time – whether it’s DIY projects, researching vendors, or negotiating contracts.
On the flip side, if you’re looking to save time and reduce stress, expect to spend more money hiring professionals or opting for convenience.
Either way, it’s about picking the lane that fits your priorities and resources. The key is finding the right balance for you and your partner.
2. Pinterest can be deceiving.
Ah, Pinterest. The ultimate hub of wedding inspiration! It’s so easy to get lost in the beautiful images of grand floral arches, intricate table settings, and picture-perfect venues. But here’s the truth: Pinterest sometimes lies.
Let me explain.
A lot of the ideas and photos shared on Pinterest aren’t realistic for every wedding. Some DIY projects can take hours to perfect (and that’s if you already have the crafting skills of Martha Stewart). Other projects that seem affordable can end up costing way more than expected once you buy all the materials. And some designs look stunning in photos but can be completely impractical in real life.
How to Make Pinterest Work for You:
- Focus on achievable goals. When browsing, look for ideas that match your budget and skill level. While that floral chandelier may be gorgeous, it might be better suited to a professional florist than a DIY project.
- Break down the steps. If you see something you love, try to research what it really takes to execute it. Read comments, look for tutorials, and be honest with yourself about what’s realistic.
- Pin with purpose. Make separate boards for inspiration and actual plans. This way, you can dream big but still stay grounded with a board that reflects what you’ll actually be able to pull off.
3. The sparkly details can send you spinning.
It’s so tempting to jump straight into the fun stuff – decorations, favors, and dress shopping – but these “fun” things can suck up a lot of your time and energy once you get into them. So, if I can offer one piece of advice, it’s this: Take care of the big-ticket items first. This will help you cut down on stress later on and create a solid foundation for everything else.
So what are these must-handle items? Think of them as the pillars of your wedding day:
1. Define Your Budget.
This is step number one for a reason. Sit down with your partner and determine how much you’re able to spend on the wedding, and where that money is coming from (savings, family contributions, etc.). You can’t move forward until this is clear.
━━━━━➤ Use my budget planning guide to nail this one down early!
2. Book Your Venue.
The venue will set the tone and structure for the entire event. Not only does it need to fit your budget and style, but it also needs to be available on your desired date. Once this is booked, you can build everything else around it.
━━━━━➤ Navigate this task with ease using my guide on questions to ask wedding venues and printable comparison tool.
3. Secure Your Key Vendors.
Photographers, florists, caterers, and DJs all need to be booked early because the best ones get booked fast! Make a list of priority vendors and secure them as soon as possible.
4. Establish Your Aesthetic.
Decide on a color scheme and general theme early on. This will guide all your other decisions, from flowers to invitations to bridesmaids’ dresses.
5. Line Up Support.
Whether you’re hiring a professional wedding planner, enlisting a day-of coordinator, or relying on family and friends, make sure you have people you can count on to help. Trust me, having support makes a huge difference in how smoothly the day runs.
Once the big things are in place, you’ll be amazed at how much mental energy is freed up for the fun, creative details!
4. You won’t get to everything (And that’s okay!)
One of the hardest things to accept as a bride-to-be is that you won’t be able to do everything. DIY wedding planning and projects take a lot of extra time and energy.
When you start planning your wedding, it feels like the sky’s the limit – you want personalized favors, a photo booth, a candy bar, a signature cocktail, and maybe a DIY flower wall for good measure! But as the date gets closer, reality will set in.
Prioritizing is key. Figure out what really matters to you. Do you want to spend more time (and money) on creating an unforgettable experience for your guests? Or are the aesthetics and décor more important? Once you know your priorities, you’ll find it easier to let go of the smaller details that just don’t fit within your timeline or budget.
5. No one else knows how it was “supposed to be.”
For a bride and groom I was working with, they were stressing about all of their supplies and little extras arriving on time. The glow sticks they had ordered for the dance floor were canceled. Then they reordered. And that reorder never made it. Guess what? We didn’t have glow sticks… But, their guests didn’t know any different! Only you know your vision, so if things don’t go exactly according to plan, it’s OK. Your guests aren’t going to notice.
It’s okay to let things go! No one will notice if you skip the hand-lettered escort cards or forget to include that trendy neon sign. What they will remember is how much love and joy surrounded the day.
Bonus Wedding Planning Secrets to Stay Organized:
Alright friends, here are just a few more bonus wedding planning secrets to helping you stay organized throughout the process!
- Create a timeline: Map out the tasks for each month so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Start early and give yourself some buffer time.
- Use apps or planners: There are some great free wedding planning checklists and apps (like Zola or The Knot) that help you stay organized with planning guides, vendor contact sheets, and budget organizers.
- Delegate! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family or your bridal party. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
Wedding planning can be a rollercoaster, but remember: it’s your day, and the most important part is celebrating the love you and your partner share. Try to enjoy the process, and don’t get too caught up in the details. You’ve got this!
And if you ever need advice, ideas, or just a sounding board, feel free to reach out. 💛
xo,
Kels