Engagement season is over and wedding planning is in full swing for millions of brides and grooms! Right about now, things are heating up and the stress of planning a multi-thousand dollar event that also entails several deadlines is at full speed.
As a wedding and event planner, I know all about the roller-coaster of emotions that brides and grooms go through. While assisting with maintaining a budget and being detail oriented are all major skills that I exhibit with every couple, it’s especially important to note that being a friend and trustful confidant is another aspect that cannot be forgotten. Over the average five to fifteen months of wedding planning that many brides experience, there are too many days where emotions run high and it feels like the sky is falling. While it’s inevitable, I do my best to avoid these days at all costs. My goal is to ensure that couples have a stress free and fun time planning their special day no matter how simple or elaborate it may be.
To ditch the bridezilla vibes, I have gathered a quick-list of the best bridechilla wedding planning hacks.
Gmail is your friend.
This hack is number one for a very good reason; it should be one of the first things you do after he pops the question. I cannot stress enough how handy a wedding designated email address is. I know that most couples don’t want an extra account to keep track of but I promise you’ll thank me later. Having an email just for the wedding will keep you organized and on top of the game. Not to mention, you can also have all of your wedding reminders added and color coded in a Google Calendar.
Number your guest list + RSVP cards.
Whether you’re hosting a wedding of 20 or 200 people, every bride eventually wants to pull out her hair when it comes to keeping track of all the guest details. From the very beginning, keep your guest list numbered. Don’t just count the exact number of guests, but be sure to give everyone a number. Put this special number on all stationary items that get mailed out to them. If you’re wondering why, it’s because it will be a major time saver later on when you don’t have to play the guessing game of who forgot to write their name on their RSVP. Trust me, it happens more than you’d think!
Prep your wedding day attire.
Don’t procrastinate when it comes to being wedding day ready. While you may think you don’t need to go any further than the standard dress alterations, I am here to tell you that in order to keep your cool the day you say ‘I Do’, be sure to check several things off of your list. Here’s a quick list to get you started:
- If you’re wearing a veil, be sure to have some veil weights ready to go, they are lifesavers on a windy afternoon.
- Prep your shoes and your groom's shoes by breaking them in with sand paper. Filing the soles will help make them less slippery.
- Have an emergency kit ready to go. Start this mini-project a few months in advance. You’d be surprised how many things you will think of over time. Must haves should include dryer sheets for static, nail file, bobby pins, sewing kit, deodorant, and superglue.
Live well.
Whether you are planning a wedding or not, how we live and take care of our bodies directly impacts how we feel. Many brides take part in #sweatingforthewedding but don’t forget there is so much more that goes into overall health than just hitting up the gym a few times a week. Take time to make mindful decisions with your diet. Cut back on the booze, I know it sounds like a drag but your skin (and scale) will thank you for this! Meditate every day to strengthen inner peace. In addition, practice gratitude daily. Being thankful and aware of how well you truly have it will help you take on an entirely new perspective.
Color code your seating chart.
In addition to tip #2, this will be such a life saver. Creating a seating chart can be a timely and tricky task. There are dynamics to be aware of, relationships that shouldn’t be crossed, and singles who may not necessarily want to mingle. Chances are, your fiancé, mother, or maid of honor might want to take a peek at this. Keep guests color coded so that its easy to recognize where you may be able to make a few swaps if necessary. My suggestion would be to color code the relationship of the guest right from the start in your initial guest list. This will make things so much easier to understand down the road when you have several other sets of eyes looking over your master plan.
Set up a joint banking account.
I promise I am not going to lecture you on what to do with your finances. At the end of the day, couples all have their own way of going about this topic. My best advice when it comes to money is to always talk openly about it. My only piece of advice that I will give to all couples is to open a join account to make life easier during and after the wedding planning. Whether it’s to deposit an equal amount each paycheck to dedicate to wedding payments, or simply having one account to deposit wedding gift checks into, you will be so glad you kept things organized in a financial sense.
Have a master file in excel.
If you’re like me, you hate anything and everything having to do with Excel prior to being in the world of weddings. My take on Excel is this: don’t fear the tool, embrace it! This might mean you need to read a few blogs or watch a few YouTube videos, but Excel truly has so much to offer. From mail merging to multiple tabs, Excel will exceed your expectations, keep you organized, and also save you time and sanity in the long run.
Re-purpose decor.
I am sure we can all agree that when it comes to deciding on décor, the fear of the price tag is one of the first things that come to mind. I am equally as guilty for falling in love with the most elaborate and expensive pictures I come across online. We all do it, so don’t feel bad! To avoid the daunting idea of going over the anticipated budget for décor, I always love suggesting the idea of re-purposing different details. For example, if you’re having floral pieces present at the ceremony, have it moved to the reception venue for an extra touch with no extra price! If you are on a super tight budget and hosting a smaller, more casual and intimate group, consider using the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces at your reception dinner.
Hire help.
I am here to tell you that your wedding is the one place where it is okay to agree to exceptions. It is not only okay, but it is encouraged that you break down barriers and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Spend a little more than you want where it makes sense, and say yes when people offer help. Planning a wedding requires so many moving parts that go unnoticed too many times. Have some extra help on hand. Whether you are hosting a wedding at home or in destination, be sure to have a wedding planner by your side. A good wedding planner will get the job done, but a great wedding planner will exceed your wildest dreams, keep you laughing when you need it the most, and also act as a much needed therapist and friend.
Are you ready to start planning with Ashley? Send a request to work with Ashley directly here.
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Photography by the talented Savanah Loftus Photography
