What They Wish They Would Have Known About Wedding Planning

Wedding Tips

Jun 5

While it's true that you can only make the best decisions you can at any time with the knowledge you have at the time, there's also something to be said for learning from other people’s experiences. It's easy to get caught up in the minute details and lose sight of the bigger picture when you are planning a wedding!

So, with that in mind, I want to share with you some things I have heard from past couples about what they wished they would have known before they dove into wedding planning.

Not Understanding How a Wedding Budget Works

The hardest thing about a wedding budget is that you’ve probably never made one! Many people will pick an arbitrary number and then have a case of sticker shock when they find out that it doesn’t go as far as they hoped.

The first step is to identify your wedding budget. Consider your vision, your dreams and goals for your wedding day, and what you are willing to spend. Then, identify what matters the most, and start doing your research on the costs for those important things first.

With a clearly defined budget, you can either host a backyard tented wedding with a fabulous bar-b-que feast for 250 of your closest friends and family for the same price as you can host a luxury brunch for 50 at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco, complete with a nice elegant dinner for your wedding party the night before.

Neither day is better than the other: it’s all about what experience you want! Creating a realistic budget based on your needs, which matches your desires, is a solid start to wedding planning. Setting a realistic plan also means taking action on that plan, or you will be heartbroken when you discover that photographer you love or that bouquet you love is way outside your budget.

Also, just be aware that it’s normal for wedding budgets to fluctuate. While you don’t want to go vastly over budget, you should know that most people do find themselves spending anywhere from 5-10% more than they planned.

Build in a little padding on that budget just in case, and if you don’t spend it, how about moving those funds to pay for an amazing honeymoon or a down payment on a house?

Having too Many Visions for the Day

One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is developing your wedding day vision; however, many people get overwhelmed by the things they love.

What if you love boho-chic and the extra sparkly vibe at weddings, but you also love that classic “Breakfast at Tiffany” look? At first, you might find that you have so many things you like, which is totally normal!

Try creating a vision board or a Pinterest board where you can collate all your ideas or inspired visuals to help guide the aesthetic you want for your day. As you build your board, you should start seeing a theme emerging; things you like versus things that you absolutely love.

For instance, you might notice you're drawn to bouquets of warm oranges and yellows, which would look amazing for a fall wedding. Perhaps your favorite wedding portraits are at sunset; those simple details can help you set the pallet of your wedding, help you define the season you want to get married, and even the time of day of your wedding.

Organizing what inspires you is a great way to drive decision-making!

Waiting Too Long To Book Key Vendors

Once you have an idea of when or where, the most important question to answer next is “who.” Selecting your key wedding vendors, such as a venue, photographer, and caterer is vital to ensuring your wedding day vision comes to life exactly as you envisioned it.

Ask friends and family for their favorites, and book your consultations early. You didn't compromise when it came to choosing your spouse; believe me when I tell you that you do not want to lose out on working with your favorite wedding photographer because another couple booked them first (and it's me…I’m the favorite wedding photographer! ;).

All jokes aside, knowing that some vendors book out months and even years in advance is important advice any couple planning a wedding needs to know.

Some wedding vendors can do multiple weddings per day but many vendors are one-person shows. Some photography studios do have multiple photographers, but many are sole operators, like myself. So make sure you’re booking people who you love ASAP before their calendar fills up.

Trying to DIY Everything

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is permit yourself NOT to have all the answers when it comes to wedding planning.

If you find yourself overwhelmed and unhappy because you’re trying to handle all the details yourself, then it’s time for a wedding planner not only do they have the ability to bring your wedding day vision to life, but they can also help you research local sources and contact wedding vendors for you. Wedding planners can also offer day-of-coordinating services, which means less stress for you before, during, and after your wedding, which sounds just dreamy, doesn't it?

Booking Smaller Packages or Reduced Time with Pros

There’s an old saying that having good pans doesn’t make you a chef, and having a guitar doesn’t make you a rock star. If you are considering hiring someone who is not familiar with the wedding industry, then I implore you to consider the ramifications of this. Your wedding day is a one-of-a-kind, non-repeatable event.

It’s SO much better to hire a pro for a smaller package or fewer hours on the day than to hire someone inexperienced. The peace of mind you will have will be priceless.

Do you need more wedding advice? I love to help couples who are working through planning their weddings. Drop me a line, tell me about your wedding, and ask any questions you like about your upcoming San Francisco area wedding.

If your wedding is out of town, out of state, or even out of the county, I’m available as well! Any destination you have in mind, I’d love to help you celebrate your day and photograph your wedding story.