9 Things Not to Forget When Planning Your Wedding
1. Print your song list
Everyone that you think might need a copy of your song list, make them a copy of your song list. Print extras! No matter how many playlists you make in advance, they won’t do any good if no one knows when to play them. Make sure your DJ has one, your event manager, your day of coordinator, your wedding planner, and everyone else that has any role in what’s happening that day. The DJ usually has wedding playlists pre-made, but if you want something specific, make sure you tell people what you want!
2. Practice your first dance ahead of time
This is so easy to pass up on. Who needs to dance? It might feel silly slow dancing in your living room, but it’s super awkward if a couple gets on the dance floor and doesn’t know what to do. There really doesn't need to be anything fancy, but even deciding in advance what direction you’re going to sway in helps. Everyone will be watching you, so it’s helpful to practice to take away some more of those pre-wedding jitters.
3. Don't forget to tip everyone!
Everyone forgets this! Think of it as any other day. If you go out to eat, you tip your waiter. Tip your catering staff! If you go get photos taken, you tip your photographer. Same goes at your wedding! We have a helpful guide to help you figure out how much to tip everyone. It’s good to map this out before your wedding, and even work it into your overall budget.
4. Consider a modern RSVP
Printed RSVPs are old news! Email everyone your RSVP cards! If you’re old school (like me) and want to send everyone a cute RSVP card, go ahead, but make an option to RSVP online. There are countless websites to help you do this. It can even be as easy as printing a QR code at the bottom of the invite. Online RSVP options make it easier for people to respond, meaning you don’t have to follow up with too many people. It’s also easier to track who’s coming, who’s not, and if you’re doing a plated dinner, what they want to eat.
5. Get a "Day of Coordinator"
Having a Day of Coordinator takes all the weight off your shoulders. I am very hands on, so it felt impossible for me to coordinate the wedding and enjoy it at the same time. That’s why I recommend a Day of Coordinator! Tell them what you want to have happen, and then sit back, and enjoy your day.
6. Eat!!
It’s YOUR wedding! YOU paid for the food! YOU chose the food you wanted to eat on your special day! So eat it! Some people don’t eat so they can “look better” in their wedding dress. Some people get too wrapped up talking to everyone that they just forget to eat. Then the wedding is over, you’re hungry, and you missed out on all your incredible food. When dinner is happening, focus on dinner. It’s a time to relax, reflect on the day, and get some energy for the rest of the night. I promise you’ll have time to talk to everyone you want to talk to.
7. Rehearse everything at your rehearsal
Everyone rehearses the procession. I mean, that’s what you’re there to rehearse. I recommend also rehearsing the recession, and the transition to dinner. Don’t let it be a free-for-all when people are standing up to leave the ceremony. And because your wedding party will (hopefully) look like they know what they’re doing, everyone else will follow their lead. If they’re walking around everywhere, so will everyone else. If they go to the table when they’re supposed to, or walk over to the bar for cocktail hour, everyone will follow that.
8. Things will go wrong...
Yes, I know. You planned for this day. You’ve gone over everything countless times. There should be no mistakes. I’m here to break the news to you: not everything will be perfect! The florist could be running a little late. You might slip on your dress. Your lighting might not change at the exact moment you wanted it to. That’s okay!! Things will go wrong, and I promise it’s not the end of the world. Chances are, you’re the only one that noticed. Don’t let one, or two, or even three things ruin your day. It’s still the best day of your life! Focus on your new spouse.
9. Don't forget to include your partner!
Plan your wedding with your groom. More often than not, grooms don’t have a lot of opinions. If your future husband lets you have full control over your day, don’t forget to tell him what’s happening! Do more than just tell him where to stand. He probably hasn’t been dreaming of this day since he was five years old, but don’t leave him out. At least review everything with him before the day of.
Your wedding is a dream come true! Not only for you, but for all your guests as well. They came to celebrate your special day with you, so CELEBRATE!
1. Print your song list
Everyone that you think might need a copy of your song list, make them a copy of your song list. Print extras! No matter how many playlists you make in advance, they won’t do any good if no one knows when to play them. Make sure your DJ has one, your event manager, your day of coordinator, your wedding planner, and everyone else that has any role in what’s happening that day. The DJ usually has wedding playlists pre-made, but if you want something specific, make sure you tell people what you want!
2. Practice your first dance ahead of time
This is so easy to pass up on. Who needs to dance? It might feel silly slow dancing in your living room, but it’s super awkward if a couple gets on the dance floor and doesn’t know what to do. There really doesn't need to be anything fancy, but even deciding in advance what direction you’re going to sway in helps. Everyone will be watching you, so it’s helpful to practice to take away some more of those pre-wedding jitters.
3. Don't forget to tip everyone!
Everyone forgets this! Think of it as any other day. If you go out to eat, you tip your waiter. Tip your catering staff! If you go get photos taken, you tip your photographer. Same goes at your wedding! We have a helpful guide to help you figure out how much to tip everyone. It’s good to map this out before your wedding, and even work it into your overall budget.
4. Consider a modern RSVP
Printed RSVPs are old news! Email everyone your RSVP cards! If you’re old school (like me) and want to send everyone a cute RSVP card, go ahead, but make an option to RSVP online. There are countless websites to help you do this. It can even be as easy as printing a QR code at the bottom of the invite. Online RSVP options make it easier for people to respond, meaning you don’t have to follow up with too many people. It’s also easier to track who’s coming, who’s not, and if you’re doing a plated dinner, what they want to eat.
5. Get a "Day of Coordinator"
Having a Day of Coordinator takes all the weight off your shoulders. I am very hands on, so it felt impossible for me to coordinate the wedding and enjoy it at the same time. That’s why I recommend a Day of Coordinator! Tell them what you want to have happen, and then sit back, and enjoy your day.
6. Eat!!
It’s YOUR wedding! YOU paid for the food! YOU chose the food you wanted to eat on your special day! So eat it! Some people don’t eat so they can “look better” in their wedding dress. Some people get too wrapped up talking to everyone that they just forget to eat. Then the wedding is over, you’re hungry, and you missed out on all your incredible food. When dinner is happening, focus on dinner. It’s a time to relax, reflect on the day, and get some energy for the rest of the night. I promise you’ll have time to talk to everyone you want to talk to.
7. Rehearse everything at your rehearsal
Everyone rehearses the procession. I mean, that’s what you’re there to rehearse. I recommend also rehearsing the recession, and the transition to dinner. Don’t let it be a free-for-all when people are standing up to leave the ceremony. And because your wedding party will (hopefully) look like they know what they’re doing, everyone else will follow their lead. If they’re walking around everywhere, so will everyone else. If they go to the table when they’re supposed to, or walk over to the bar for cocktail hour, everyone will follow that.
8. Things will go wrong...
Yes, I know. You planned for this day. You’ve gone over everything countless times. There should be no mistakes. I’m here to break the news to you: not everything will be perfect! The florist could be running a little late. You might slip on your dress. Your lighting might not change at the exact moment you wanted it to. That’s okay!! Things will go wrong, and I promise it’s not the end of the world. Chances are, you’re the only one that noticed. Don’t let one, or two, or even three things ruin your day. It’s still the best day of your life! Focus on your new spouse.
9. Don't forget to include your partner!
Plan your wedding with your groom. More often than not, grooms don’t have a lot of opinions. If your future husband lets you have full control over your day, don’t forget to tell him what’s happening! Do more than just tell him where to stand. He probably hasn’t been dreaming of this day since he was five years old, but don’t leave him out. At least review everything with him before the day of.
Your wedding is a dream come true! Not only for you, but for all your guests as well. They came to celebrate your special day with you, so CELEBRATE!
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