Being in the wedding industry for 3+ years now, we've seen a lot. From working with different personalities to fads and phases that go quicker than they came in. Although I truly adored our wedding from the bottom of my heart, and am very thankful for the outcome, I have to admit, we didn't pay much attention to the art of planning.
1. It wasn't our profession at the time
2. We felt confident planning through the advice of bridal mags (ha!)
3. Back in 2011, internet/social media wedding inspiration wasn't such a craze as it is now
So, if we could do it again, here are the 3 things I would've changed.
1. Trust the experience of your vendors
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but truth be told, my main objective when selecting our vendors was solely based on who could give more for less. Don't get me wrong, sticking to your budget is a big deal and one we didn't take lightly because who wants to be swimming in a pool of debt on day one of marriage?
What I'm saying is, if I could go back, I would've put more effort into selecting vendors based on their 1) values, 2) testimonials and 3) passion for their work. When you make an investment to hire a wedding vendor (florist, planner, stationer, musician etc.) you not only invest in their services, but you also invest your time that will be spent together.
Are these people you would be friends with? Are they going to really understand the significance of why you want to hold your wedding on a Sunday morning? Do you trust them enough to run free with your ideas?
Since our vendors came with the experience we lacked, leaning on them would have taken a load of stress from us, which in turn would have led to a more enjoyable engagement and worry-free wedding.
Your vendors actually have a lot of knowledge when it comes to timelines, color pallettes, etiquette etc. even in sectors other than theirs. Asking your photog, for example, their opinion on a floral designer who will help you achieve the look you want is beneficial because 1. Like minded vendors stick together and 2. In order to run a "creative" small business, you need a little background knowledge in other fields. This is something that comes with time.
2. Hire a videographer, even if the budget is tight.
If my husband was reading this one right now, he would laugh. We went back and forth on this for quite some time and needed to figure out where to cut back. At the time, this made sense.
Why would we need a video when we were already paying for photos? Although high-quality wedding photos are extremely important, you can't relive the memory as you would with a video. Our photos will never let me hear the birds above us at our ceremony or the moment we said of our vows.
All I am saying is, if you can swing it, do it. You won't regret it 10, 20, 50 years from now. Take it from someone who still thinks about it.
3. Stick to classic.
Fads come and go. When we got married, Pinterest was just lifting off and mason jars were all the rage.
Now, when I hear, "I want a Pinterest wedding" I sort of cringe because, I too, wanted that. When you are planning, I want you to think past current trends. Think about what you like. What mood defines you and your fiance? Ask yourself, is this something that will stand the test of time? By classic I don't mean "traditional", I mean something you will love 10 years down the road. The key is what YOU love, not what the trendsetters say.
Key items to keep classic: Your wedding dress, your wedding stationery and your ceremony.
I hope my experience puts a fresh perspective on yours. Although the day went by too quickly, it really was the most remarkable day of my life. The celebration, the joy, the way it brings everyone together and most importantly, the symbolism of a lifelong unity that's about to begin.
Happy Planning!