You’ve set the date and picked your venue. Now you’re about to embark on an incredible journey to the altar…but you have lots of questions about HOW to get there. Every week, RiverStone has the opportunity to work with some amazing wedding couples and vendors. We love what we do, and we love learning right along with you! Over time, we’ve experienced, seen, and had valuable conversation about the things that do (and don’t) work when it comes to wedding planning. Today, we’re sharing pro tips to help you avoid some common wedding planning mistakes. So read on, friends! This is your chance to learn from those who have gone before you and “been there; done that.”
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Blowing Off Your Budget
The first thing you need to do is SET A BUDGET. It will be impossible to make informed decisions about anything (apparel, venue, guest count, vendors, meal options, or floral arrangements) until you know how much you can afford to spend.
Once you’ve established the guidelines, stick to them!…And expect some unexpected expenses, knowing that your planning and budgeting will enable you to manage the unknown without breaking the bank.
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Ordering Your Dress Too Late
Customization, shipping, alterations, and dress fittings all take time!
Purchase your wedding dress about 6 months in advance of your wedding date if you’re custom ordering your gown.
Communicate with your seamstress to be sure you understand exactly how long it will take to them to get your dress runway ready. Then allow enough time for alterations to be completed even if you’re purchasing off-the-rack.
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Neglecting to Make an Inclimate Weather Contingency Plan
One thing we are all-too-well aware of in the wedding industry is our inability to control (or predict) the weather. So discuss a contingency plan with your venue well in advance of your big day. And remember, rain is not the only type of weather to be concerned about. Wind, snow, heat, and cold are all scenarios that might prompt couples to move their guests indoors.
RiverStone offers fabulous indoor and outdoor ceremony sites. We are well equipped to accommodate your needs regardless of what Mother Nature has up her sleeve! Rain or shine, let us guide you toward wedding day peace of mind! Contact us to schedule a tour of our facilities today!
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Foregoing the Hair & Makeup Trials
Although hair and makeup trials are an added expense, our couples regularly recommend the investment. Cutting costs is not worth the stress and risk of experimenting with a brand new look on your wedding day. You will likely be wearing more makeup and a more stylized hairdo than you do in everyday life. It’s important to have an opportunity to evaluate the look when the stakes are low.
It may feel silly, but ask someone to take pictures of you from multiple angles and distances when your trial is complete. That way you will be able to determine what needs tweaking and refer to your photos when communicating with your stylist.
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Skimping on Photography or Videography
In the aftermath of the celebration, we often hear our couples describe their weddings as a bit of a whirlwind. You will likely be so engaged in the wonder and beauty of the experience that your day will fly by! So make sure you preserve your memories on film.
Photography
Develop a relationship with your photographer ahead of time. Make sure you have a good handle on their artistic style and personality. That way you and your fiancé will be much more comfortable posing for the camera come wedding day. A good way to accomplish this is to schedule an engagement shoot as a trial run for your wedding. Many photographers offer this service as part of a package. Also, be sure that you provide your photographer with a complete list of important shots and people that you want to capture on film at your wedding.
Videography
One of the key benefits of videography is that it is not posed. Video captures and allows you to relive the genuine emotion of your wedding day! You can actually hear your spouse reciting their wedding vows. You can see your grandparents boogying on dance floor, and you can replay the toasts of your friends and family as many times as you’d like. In short, this is an extraordinarily special way to commemorate your wedding day, and we are highly in favor of it! So much so that we recommend you seriously consider going back to Step 1 to make room for it in your budget!
Then tune in next week for Common Wedding Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – Part 2…
