Every couple has dreams of having the perfect wedding day. It is a very important milestone in their lives and marks the start of a new chapter together. Most people hire a wedding planner so that they can enjoy their special day without having to worry about every little detail. However, if you choose to take up the task yourself, be warned that wedding planning is not easy but it is very rewarding feeling to see everything come together. We have drawn from our experience and collated information to prepare this list of 10 tips for stress-free wedding planning.
Clarify the Budget
Dreams do not have a price tag; they can be really grand or extremely simple. However, bringing that dream to life does have costs. It is of utmost importance to be very clear about the budget from the get-go.
Discuss the allocation of the budget with the parties involved and set priorities. The budget is going to influence most of the decisions (like the dress, venue, and guest list), so be very pragmatic while budgeting and stick to the budget as much as possible. A well-managed budget will empower, not restrict.
Connect and Communicate
For efficient wedding planning, it is essential to be able to connect with the people involved, understand their expectations, and communicate about any and every change. Scheduling weekly or fortnightly meetings will help in avoiding any last-minute unpleasant surprises.
Remain Organised
There is no such thing as being overly organised, or at least being extra organised won’t cause issues. Being under-organised on the other hand can leave you scrambling and lead to disasters. Collect your documents, contracts, and contact lists together, whether digitally or in a physical binder, in such a way that you can easily find and access them whenever required. Harness the power of technological tools for some of your organisational tasks.
Hire the Right Team
Wedding vendors are the people who will help transform your vision into reality, so it is essential they should be on the same page as you regarding the plans. Carefully select and hire your team of professionals. Explain your vision to them. Maintain proper communication thereafter to get the best out of their expertise.
Set a Timeline
When preparing a timeline for the wedding, factor in all possible delays and make it realistic. Padding the timeline will allow it some resilience in the face of unexpected delays. It is equally important to share the timeline with the wedding party as well as the vendors so that everyone knows what is expected of them by which time.
Stay Ahead of the Weather
When you plan a wedding, it is crucial that you consider the weather, and prepare accordingly. On some days, the weather may make transportation difficult or cause delays. Contemplate the effect of the weather on the venue and make suitable arrangements for the comfort of the guests.
Grab a Helping Hand
Wedding planning involves a multitude of minute tasks like making hundreds of calls and responding to as many emails. It is never a good idea to try to do everything by yourself. Delegate some tasks to people you can trust. Hand out to-do lists to the people responsible. Follow up with them regularly. Taking the help of others will free you up for the bigger and more important tasks.
Be Prepared for Contingencies
Weddings bring together a lot of people (for planning and preparation as well as the actual wedding guests). It is hard to control every aspect, and you should expect some snags here and there. Be ready with a plan B wherever you anticipate problems. Even if some unexpected issues arise, you can still deal with them with some creativity and flexibility.
Take Care of Yourself
Planning a wedding involves a lot of work. To stay on top of tasks, you need to be fit. The last thing you want is to faint out of weakness, exhaustion, or dehydration. Follow a healthy diet and do not skip meals. Taking care of your mental health is equally important. Take a few breaks from all the planning and execution chores. Meditation will allow you to relax and bring back clarity and focus.
Enjoy the Process
Sometimes one can get so caught up in planning, that it can take away from the joy and keep your mind awake, running, and stressed even at night. It is important to remind yourself of your purpose and your passion. What you are planning is, in essence, a big party; so try to enjoy the process.
Remember that the most memorable wedding stories are not about perfection. There is nothing noteworthy about ‘Everything went extremely smoothly and the bride and groom got married’. The kind of story that gets passed down to the grandchildren is where there was some kind of glitch, something could have gone wrong, but you were able to find your way around the problem and still make the wedding a success.
Ready to take your wedding vows in style? Get in touch with high-end wedding planners Matthew Oliver Weddings today to help make your dreams a reality.
