This advice is something we give to anyone planning a wedding – especially a New Orleans wedding – so you’re going to want to revisit this blog, and be sure to share it with anyone you know that is getting married!
Get ready for advice that has been compiled from years of wedding planning, seeing the good, the bad, and the not-so-good things that can happen during planning.
#1 Keep Your Guest List as Small as Possible
The guest price per person makes the most significant impact on your wedding budget. Beyond that, a more extensive list impacts every single part of your day, from the choices you have for venues to your food and beverage fees.
Being super intentional about who you invite to your wedding also frees you up to enjoy the people you care about the most. It helps prevent overwhelm and allows you to integrate all the important people from your life and your fiancé’s life in one room. This won’t ever happen again! You’ll really maximize your enjoyment if you keep your list small.
#2 Expect and Accept that Compromises Will Have to be Made
Even in the best of times with the best-laid plans, there will be things that you have to give up to make your wedding day happen. You will have to pivot and be okay with changes because that will exponentially increase your happiness in the planning process.
Food and beverage are going to be your most significant expense. So figure out what your budget is for that, and then make a list of the other things that are important. There may be a case where you have to give up a vendor you really wanted, either because of availability or budget. Many vendors are wonderful, so keep that in mind as you continue your search.
There is no doubt that you and your partner will have to compromise on your wedding plans at some point! But, here’s the thing I want you to know…
#3 Your Guests are Only Going to Know What They See (Not What You Had to Give Up)
Maybe you loved those beautiful chairs, but they would have totally blown the budget. Let’s bring it back to the center. Your guests will never remember the chairs at your wedding, but they will remember the taste, touch, and feel of the day.
Your guests are there to celebrate you and the love that you share. They want to be there for this unifying day, and to eat, dance, laugh, and hug you! Those are the memories they will take away from your wedding and the ones that endure.
#4 Decide Early On How You Will Respond to Adverse Conditions on your Wedding Day
This is not something people love to do, but it’s really important. If you can take time to envision what could go wrong on your wedding day and how to handle it, then you can take on anything that comes your way.
This is more than an ordinary Saturday. This is the narrative of your life together. It’s written by the response you have on the day, no matter what happens. A common problem is rain. It happens, but if you take time to think through what you would do, you’ll find that it’s really not the end of the world. It’s part of your story!
#5 Decide Early on that You Love Plan B as Much as Plan A
As a planner, about 6 months out after we’ve gotten through a good portion of the wedding planning, I like to present them with a Plan B. I want my clients to be prepared to pivot and still love the results.
To maximize your investment, it’s essential to communicate with all your vendors, so they understand what the alternatives are. You want everyone prepared in advance, so there is no hustle and bustle and trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. We want to reduce as much stress as possible.
Remember that your guests only know what they see!
#6 At The End of the Day, You’ll Be Married to the Love of Your Life
A wedding is a huge occasion that you put your heart and soul into, not to mention a ton of time and money. Remember the reason you are doing this! At the end of the day, your focus should be on this moment in time when you become a new family. It will be the best day of your life if you focus on the people and not the things!
We hope these tips will help you when it comes to planning your wedding… and if you need help planning a New Orleans wedding, let’s chat!