11 Wedding Planning Tips for a Momentous Occasion
To help couples plan their perfect wedding, Style My Soul asked 11 industry professionals for their top recommendations.
Prioritize Punctuality and Delegate
Starting a wedding ceremony on time is crucial. The tradition that the bride(s) or groom(s) can arrive as late as they want is one urban myth that needs to be squashed.
Before the celebrant/officiant has even wowed the crowd with their well-written and witty ceremony, most of the guests will already be “over it”. Late arrival also causes unnecessary stress to the partner-to-be and can lead to the bridezilla or groomzilla tag. Starting late can also eat into party time, affect the timeline for vendors, and incur late arrival fees from celebrants.
Give someone in your wedding party the task of being in charge of the timeline. This is not a job you want to be worrying about on the day. Delegate it to someone responsible, not your best friend that you love but who is late for everything! When you are getting ready, someone should announce to the room that it’s 1 hour to go, 30 mins to go, and 10 mins till you leave, so that everyone agrees.
Julie Muir, Boss Lady, Julie Muir — Celebrant
Invest in Wedding Insurance
One valuable wedding planning tip I often share, grounded in my personal experience, is to seriously consider getting wedding insurance. Think of it as a safety net for your big day.
Recently, my cousin had planned an exquisite beach wedding. However, an unexpected storm hit on that day, leading to a last-minute cancellation. Thankfully, they had wedding insurance, which covered the non-refundable deposits and expenses associated with rescheduling.
Without the insurance, they would’ve faced significant financial loss. Thus, investing in wedding insurance can save you from unforeseen circumstances and allow you to focus on what truly matters — celebrating your love and commitment.
Antreas Koutis, Administrative Manager, Financer
Hire a Day-of Coordinator
Wedding planning can be a stressful and overwhelming process, but there is one tip that all couples should consider for a smooth event: hire a day-of coordinator. A day-of coordinator can help ease the stress on the big day by managing vendors (florists, caterers, photographers, musicians, etc.), coordinating with the venue, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
They can also troubleshoot any issues that may arise, allowing the couple to fully enjoy their special day without the added stress of managing logistics. It’s important to choose a day-of coordinator who is experienced, reliable, and has excellent communication skills; checking online reviews is great, but word-of-mouth from a trusted friend is even better!
By hiring a day-of coordinator, couples can relax and enjoy their wedding day knowing that someone else is handling the details.
Tali Ditye, PhD, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder, Mommyhood101.com
Prioritize Clear Communication
Effective planning and communication are essential for a smooth wedding event. Prioritize communication between you and your partner, as well as with your vendors, wedding planner, or coordinator.
Assigning clear roles and responsibilities, setting deadlines, and discussing frequently about progress, expectations, and changes will help you stay organized, and calm, and avoid confusion or disappointment. Create a shared document or use a project management tool where everyone has access to important information, updates, and feedback.
Keep in mind the importance of being flexible, open-minded, and respectful of each other’s opinions and preferences. Clear communication is the key to assure that everyone agrees and that your wedding day is unforgettable in all the right ways.
Jefferson McCall, Co-founder and HR Head, TechBullish
Use a Wedding Checklist
Use a free wedding checklist to keep you on track leading up to your special day. Unless you’re using a professional wedding planner, it’s almost impossible to think of all the tasks you need to accomplish.
A checklist may also give you ideas to implement activities, decorations, or other things you hadn’t thought of previously. You might also want to use a wedding day checklist for items pertaining strictly to that day. Both checklists will help put your mind at ease and likely ensure a more stress-free wedding.
Shelley Grieshop, Writer, Totally Promotional
Focus On Meaningful Expenses
Don’t spend money on the little things. It’s likely that they’ll just get tossed by the end of the night. For example, don’t put too much thought into your place cards. They don’t hold any sentimental value, so don’t put the money behind them and budget the funds for something more meaningful.
Stephanie Venn-Watson, Co-founder, fatty15
Schedule Prep Appointments Early
Book your prep appointments well in advance. For the bride, she may want to book an appointment a day or two before the event, or even a lip filler touch-up, for example. For the groom, he may want a haircut the day before.
Be sure to schedule these appointments well in advance to ensure you get the time and date that you need them for. This avoids stress later down the road and the last-minute scrambling to find a provider to do it for you.
Maegan Griffin, Founder, CEO, and Nurse Practitioner, Skin Pharm
Define Your Guest List Early
One essential wedding planning tip all couples should consider is to prioritize their guest list early in the planning process. By deciding on an approximate number of guests and creating a preliminary list, you can ensure that your wedding venue will accommodate everyone comfortably and that you won’t go over budget on unnecessary expenses such as catering or rentals.
Clearly defining who is invited and who is not can also help decrease tension and potential confrontations with friends and family. Also, limiting your guest list can definitely help you personalize and concentrate on the aspects of your wedding that are most important to you as a couple, rather than getting bogged down in trying to please everyone.
Basana Saha, Founder, KidsCareIdeas
Use a Rewards Credit Card
Sign up for a credit card that comes with a great rewards program and use this card for all of your wedding-related purchases and expenses. This way, you’ll be able to amass many points that you can redeem to pay for enormous expenses such as airline tickets to your honeymoon destination or upgrades to your matrimonial home.
The best wedding expenses to put on the credit card include venue costs, flowers, and catering expenses. However, if you don’t have the requisite cash flow to pay off the credit card debt quickly, it’s best to avoid using a card for your wedding expenses. Otherwise, the interest will generate a significant amount of debt that could be detrimental to your financial health as a couple.
Dr. Willy Portier, Co-founder, Concerty
Hire a Wedding Planner
A professional wedding planner can help guide you through the planning process and ensure that your big day runs smoothly. From selecting vendors and coordinating logistics to managing timelines and budgets, a wedding planner can take care of all the details so that you can focus on enjoying your special day.
They can help ease stress and ensure that everything stays on track. They can also troubleshoot any issues that arise and handle any last-minute changes or emergencies, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your wedding day.
Finally, they might help you save money. They can negotiate with vendors on your behalf and help you stay within your budget, while also ensuring that you get the best possible value for your money. They can also offer advice and insight based on their experience in the industry, helping you to avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions.
Will Baker, Founder, Skirtings R Us
Communicate Effectively With Vendors
Ensure a seamless and stress-free wedding by prioritizing effective communication with all vendors involved in your big day. When discussing your specific needs, be clear about your vision, the type of experience you want, your timeline, your budget, and your expectations.
Double-check all details and contracts, and ensure your vendors understand your needs by asking if there are any clarifications or questions that need addressing. Setting up a regular check-in schedule can also ensure that you’re both on the same page throughout the planning process. Remember, communication is key to making sure your wedding day runs smoothly and efficiently.
Anirban Saha, Founder, MrPlanter
