Raise your hand if you’ve been scrolling on social media for the last two weeks and have seen at least 5 engagement announcements 🙋🏻♀️ We love to see it! It’s officially engagement season which means the 2023 wedding season is RIGHT around the corner, and we are so freakin’ excited. If you’re newly engaged (Congrats!!) and soaking up all the wedding advice, this post is for you.
Each new year allows us to meet amazing couples, form beautiful friendships, and capture true love stories. It’s the BEST. While wedding planning is in full swing for many couples, our past brides and grooms are reflecting on their incredible experience. To help our 2023 couples shake the stress and enjoy the process, we asked our past clients to share what they think are the most important things to remember when planning a wedding.
These fantastic suggestions came straight from our past clients who submitted these responses to our Instagram poll we held recently. If you’re not following us on IG we would LOVE to have you join the fam, and tell us you’re biggest pieces of wedding advice! Now let’s dive in.
Tip #1: Create a Meaningful Guest List
On your wedding day, you want to be surrounded by people you love and who love you. We all have heard about large 300-person weddings where the couple doesn’t have the chance to greet each of their friends and family.
To manage the size of your wedding and ensure that you can celebrate with all your people, it is essential to create a guest list that is meaningful. Your guest list should be filled with individuals who will rally around you and your relationship, we don’t need to invite every single person we somewhat know! Your wedding day is special and those invited should play an important role in your life.
Our past clients recommend analyzing the guest list you have and going through it one by one, asking yourself “have I spoken to them this year?!” or “would I buy them dinner?” if the answer is no, then you probably should take them off of your guest list.
Trust us when we say less is more! Your wedding day is special and not to mention… Weddings can be a large investment. Remember, you are paying for each person who attends your wedding to be there. So, maybe leave your mom’s best friends sister off of the list.
Tip #2: Make Your Wedding Day YOURS, Don’t Feel Guilty
This is YOUR wedding day. It’s not your parent’s wedding day, it’s not your aunt’s wedding day or your best friend’s wedding day, it’s yours. So, don’t feel guilty if you respectfully decline the suggestions given to you by others. People will want to chime in with recommendations (which can be helpful!) but if it doesn’t feel like you, then don’t do it.
At the end of the day you want your wedding to be an authentic reflection of you and your partner. Go with the color scheme and theme you love, don’t worry about following all the trends or making decisions based on the opinion of others. Trust us, yu’re not being selfish! Pick the wedding venue you love, choose the flowers you’re obsessed with, and go all in planning the wedding of your dreams.
Our clients have mentioned that the people who are in attendance at your wedding will (and should) understand that this day is about you and your partner. So, celebrate your love the way you and your partner want to!
Tip #3 – Hire a Wedding Coordinator For at Least The Day Of
Planning a wedding may seem easy and we totally get that couples are being cautious about where their budget is going. However, it is so important to hire a wedding coordinator for at least the day of. Trust us when we tell you that you and your family will be busy all day, and won’t have time to stress over the coordination of the wedding day!
Hiring a wedding coordinator or a person you trust for day-of coordination will help you enjoy the moment. This person will put out fires and take care of any issues that may arise. Their main job is coordinating and talking with vendors, making sure everyone stays within the timeline, and so much more. Hiring a professional to see that things are running smoothly will be worth each penny you spend. Time to sit back, relax, and get married!
Tip #4 – Don’t Dance on an Empty Stomach, Remember To Eat!
We get it, the day gets away from you and it can be tricky to find time to eat. It may seem like an obvious thing, but many couples forget! This day is going to be overwhelming and we don’t want anyone going hungry. Have breakfast with your bridesmaids, snack on a charcuterie board before your first look, and ask your caterer to serve you your meal first.
Take time to enjoy your dinner before you allow everyone to pull you in every direction. Your guests will want to talk with you and take photos with you, and it’ll be hard to find downtime to eat again. Consider taking a moment to yourselves right after your ceremony to snag a few appetizers, and see if your caterer can bring a tray of snacks to you and your wedding party during post-ceremony photos. The more opportunities you give yourself to eat, the better you will feel throughout the entire day.
Also, if you plan on drinking during your wedding celebration it is so important to have plenty of food and water in your system. We want you to successfully make it from the ceremony to your grand send-off, so fuel up!
Tip #5 – Be Daring and Break Traditions!
One thing we know we’re going to be seeing more of in 2023 is originality. Many couples are pushing the limits of typical wedding traditions, and it’s so refreshing. That’s right, this is your sign to be daring and plan outside the box! Make your wedding day feel like your own.
Certain wedding traditions may be important to you and if they are, keep them! Others may not be. In fact, we’re seeing fewer brides toss their bouquets and fewer grooms find the garter. It’s up to you to decide which customs are or aren’t important to you. And, consider making your own traditions! Get ready together, have a private first look, or cut a giant donut instead of a traditional wedding cake. Whatever you want to do is SO cool.
Tip # 6- Hire a Photographer You Absolutely Love
This one is SOOOO key, and no we’re not being biased! Hiring a photographer and videographer you love is going to be one of the most important decisions you make. Do your research and make sure you hire someone who you are comfortable with. Your wedding photographer and videographer are going to be with you all day, so you want to choose the perfect fit!
It is so important to invest in the right person or team to document your special day. If you love their work and trust them fully, they are worth the investment! Remember, these images are going to be capturing one of the biggest days of your life. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so allow yourself to splurge a bit if you need to.
If there’s one thing you take away from our past couples’ wedding advice, remember to plan the entire day around you and your partner’s love. Allow yourself to enjoy each moment along the way and don’t stress over the small stuff. If you’re married and have any recommendations for future couples, we would love to hear them! Slide into our DM’s and share your thoughts.
Ready to say yes to your dream wedding photographer and videographer? We are based in Arizona and Washington, traveling wherever your love takes us. Reach out to inquire about your wedding date!
