We get it; wedding planning can be the most fun and exhilarating yet exasperating process of a lifetime. It’s a day that brides have dreamed of for years and a day that often comes with unexpected twists and turns that no amount of preparation can prepare you for. In our experience, brides often reflect on their journey and uncover treasures of wisdom along the way. And even more often, hindsight is 20/20. These aren’t just tips; they’re lanterns to light your path, ensuring your smooth and joyous voyage. Reflecting on our experience, here are seven crucial lessons that brides often say they wish they had known sooner.
At Hummingbird Hill Weddings & Events, we understand that wedding planning can feel like a full-time job. That’s why we are here to make this process the smoothest and easiest it can be for you as you plan the wedding of your dreams. So grab a snack and a notepad and follow along and learn from the pros to make this day go off without a hitch.
1. Prioritize Your Budget According to What Truly Matters
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of perfection. However, it’s essential to prioritize what truly matters when allocating your budget. Sit down with your partner and make a checklist of the must-haves, important elements, and things that you can do without. Allocate your budget according to these priorities.
Remember that the true essence of your wedding day isn’t in the decorations or the venue’s grandeur but in the genuine moments of joy and love shared with those closest to you. While investing in elements that will enhance your experience and memories of the day is important, carefully consider each spending decision. Ask yourselves if it will contribute to the joy and satisfaction of your wedding day and if it’s something you will look back on with fondness.
For example, investing in a skilled photographer ensures that each smile, tear, and dance is captured with artistry and emotion rather than settling for mediocre photos. Similarly, prioritizing a menu that reflects your personal tastes and dietary preferences would add a more intimate touch to the celebration, making it uniquely yours.
Ultimately, by prioritizing your budget according to what truly matters, you ensure that your wedding reflects your love story, filled with moments and elements that hold deep significance to both of you.
2. The Value of a Day-Of Coordinator
Your wedding day is a compilation of beautiful moments, each contributing to your love story. However, amidst the whirlwind of celebrations, the intricate logistics and planning that underpin the day’s smooth flow can easily be overlooked. A day-of coordinator is one invaluable presence you might not realize you need until it’s too late. This role isn’t just about convenience; it’s about ensuring that your day unfolds gracefully, free from last-minute decisions and vendor management.
A day-of coordinator acts as the maestro of your wedding symphony, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They work to iron out potential wrinkles before they can affect your day’s joy, from coordinating vendor arrivals to managing the timing of the ceremony. Their expertise ensures that your celebration of love is choreographed to perfection, freeing you and your loved ones to fully immerse in the joyous occasion.
Underestimating the stress and distractions of managing the day’s events can impose on you and your family and friends. Precious moments of preparation, the first look, the vows—each should be a memory untainted by coordination concerns. A day-of coordinator ensures that your focus remains on the heart of the celebration—your love and commitment to each other.
Moreover, their presence offers peace of mind, knowing that someone with experience and foresight is anticipating and mitigating any hiccups along the way. They are adept at navigating the unexpected, ensuring your day maintains its beauty and flow. Investing in a day-of coordinator is not an extravagance but rather a necessity, allowing you, your partner, and your guests to fully enjoy the celebration of your union. Let the professionals manage the day’s flow, and give yourself the gift of presence, soaking in every laughter-filled, love-soaked moment of your wedding day without distraction.
3. Guest List Size Impacts Experience More Than You Think
The number of guests you invite to your wedding can significantly impact the atmosphere and intimacy of your celebration. Budget implications aside, a larger guest list may result in less quality time spent with each attendee and a different vibe than what a more intimate gathering could offer. Considering the trade-offs between a large wedding and a smaller, more personal celebration is crucial before finalizing your guest list.
An intimate wedding can create a cozy, family-like atmosphere where every laugh and tear is shared with those who genuinely matter to you, allowing for deeper connections and shared memories with every guest. On the other hand, a larger celebration offers the joy of celebrating with a wider circle but can dilute personal interactions and increase logistical complexity and cost.
Before finalizing your guest list, take a moment to envision the type of experience you wish to create. Consider the level of interaction you desire with your guests and how the size of the crowd might affect the overall feel of your day. It’s also worth considering the venue’s capacity and how numbers can impact the flow and comfort of the event.
Remember, every person you invite plays a role in the narrative of your day. Choose guests who add meaning and joy to your celebration, and don’t feel obligated to extend invitations out of obligation or expectation. Ultimately, your wedding should reflect you and your partner’s shared life, filled with people who support and cherish your union.
4. DIY Dilemma: Probably not worth it
DIY may not always be the best solution for reducing your wedding budget. While it may save you money in certain areas, such as repurposing floral arrangements, it can also lead to mediocre results and unexpected stress. Taking on DIY projects for your wedding can seem like a charming way to personalize your day, but it often requires more time and money than anticipated.
While DIY elements can add a unique and personal touch to your wedding, the time and effort required to complete them can quickly become overwhelming, especially as your wedding day approaches. Additionally, the costs of materials and the potential for mistakes can add up, sometimes exceeding the cost of professional services. Therefore, it’s essential to realistically assess your skills, the scale of the projects, and the time available before committing to a DIY approach.
If you’re interested in DIY for its personal touch, consider limiting the projects to manageable tasks that bring you joy or involve friends and family in a way that is enjoyable rather than stressful. This way, you can enjoy the process and the personalized elements it adds to your day without overwhelming yourself.
Ultimately, balancing the practical considerations of time, cost, and stress with the desire for personalization will help you make informed decisions about which aspects of your wedding to DIY. Remember, the goal is to enhance your celebration and enjoy the journey, not to add unnecessary stress to an already busy time.
5. Investing in Photography and Videography is 100% Worth It
Professional photographers and videographers possess the expertise to capture not just posed shots but also the spontaneous, candid moments that truly reflect the spirit of your celebration. From subtle glances to tears of joy, laughter, and dance floor antics, these moments are beautifully immortalized through their lenses. The difference between amateur and professional footage is profound, offering not only superior image quality but also a compelling storytelling aspect that enhances the narrative of your special day.
While it might be tempting to cut costs by relying on a friend or less experienced professional, it’s vital to consider the long-term significance of your wedding photos and videos. They serve as enduring mementos that allow you to relive the joy and love shared on your wedding day, even during challenging times. By investing in professional services, you ensure that your story is captured with the utmost skill and artistry, ready to be shared and cherished for generations to come.
Also, it is important to note that both photography and videography offer unique contributions to preserving your wedding memories. Photography excels at capturing fleeting moments frozen in time, while videography adds a dynamic, immersive dimension to the narrative. Brides often treasure both for different reasons, recognizing the distinct emotional impact each medium provides.
Photography immortalizes poignant moments, allowing you to linger over each frame and appreciate the intricate details of your day. From the delicate lace on your gown to the tender embrace shared during your first dance, these snapshots evoke nostalgia and sentimentality, transporting you back to the emotions felt in that exact moment and providing moments that you can frame, post, and forever preserve in heirloom albums.
On the other hand, videography breathes life into your memories, offering a cinematic experience that engages multiple senses. Through motion, sound, and storytelling techniques, wedding films capture the atmosphere, energy, and essence of your celebration in a way that static images cannot replicate. The laughter, music, and heartfelt vows come alive, allowing you to relive the magic of your wedding day as if you were experiencing it anew.
We often have brides who opt for only photography or videography and often find themselves regretting not investing in both mediums. While photos freeze moments in time, videos provide context, emotion, and movement, enriching the narrative and offering a more comprehensive representation of your wedding day. By embracing both photography and videography, you ensure that every facet of your love story is captured with depth, authenticity, and enduring beauty.
6. You Have Permission to Say No
Planning your wedding involves making numerous decisions, and not all of them will align with traditional expectations or the desires of others. Learning to say no can be a powerful tool in making your wedding truly yours. Whether it’s declining a family member’s request that doesn’t fit your vision or resisting the pressure to conform to certain trends, your wedding should reflect your unique bond and the life you’re building together.
Saying no can be difficult, particularly when faced with expectations from loved ones or the temptation to have a picture-perfect wedding. However, being authentic in your choices creates a day that feels genuine and joyous rather than a performance for the sake of others. Your wedding is an intimate expression of your love, not a showcase for every trend of the season.
Embrace your vision and values as a couple. If you dream of a small, family-only ceremony, a unique theme, or a non-traditional venue, go for it with confidence. The beauty of modern weddings is their diversity and the opportunity to break from convention to celebrate your love in a way that feels right.
When making decisions, consider what elements of the day are most important to both of you. Use these as your guideposts, and don’t be afraid to prioritize them, even if it means disappointing someone else. Ultimately, your wedding should leave you with memories that warm your heart, not regrets over compromised decisions.
7. Remember—It’s One Day out of a Lifetime
Amidst the whirlwind of ceremonies, greetings, and celebrations, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. While your wedding day holds immense significance, it’s essential to remember that it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey, not the culmination of it. Rather than viewing it as a finish line, cherish it as the starting point of your shared adventure.
Take moments throughout the day to pause, breathe, and absorb the significance of the commitment you’ve made. Whether it’s stealing away for a private moment with your partner or simply taking a mental snapshot of the joy surrounding you, these pauses allow you to connect deeply with each other and with the true essence of your union.
In the midst of planning, prioritize not just the events but also the emotions that define your wedding day. Allow space for spontaneous joy, tears of happiness, and quiet moments of reflection. Remember that while the details of the day are important, they are but a small part of the larger tapestry of your life together.
Keep the main thing—the love, commitment, and shared vision for your future—at the forefront of your mind. As you navigate the excitement and busyness of the day, let it serve as a reminder of the journey ahead—a journey filled with love, growth, and countless moments to cherish. By embracing this perspective, you can fully enjoy and appreciate the beauty of your wedding day while keeping your focus on what truly matters most.
Hummingbird Hill
Ready to see Hummingbird Hill for yourself? Schedule a tour today to explore our venue and discuss details, pricing, and available dates with our dedicated team. Let us help you bring your wedding vision to life and create memories that will last a lifetime.
