Planning a wedding can be overwhelming because, oftentimes, you don't know what you don't know! We reached out to some of our wedding planning colleagues from across the country and asked them to tell us their top wedding planning tips for couples. They certainly did not disappoint!
Terra Nickelson
Plan It Terra | Jefferson City, Missouri Follow Terra on Instagram!
"My top wedding planning tip? You know...I think my number one right now because it is a MAJOR pain point of mine is this: Be sure to check with your caterer & venue on all roles and responsibilities. So many times I see couples not think about room flips, busing tables, emptying trash throughout the evening, and cleaning plates, glassware, etc. If you rent glassware, plates, and other table items, be sure to check with your rental company on cleaning policies/costs or see if your caterer or venue can handle that clean up. Do not let these tasks fall back on family & friends or even your wedding planner. If your caterer and/or venue do not provide these services, ask your wedding planner for recommendations."
Sierra Morgan
Agape Wedding Co. | Houston, TX
"My top wedding planning tip would be that it's not a production. Your wedding day shouldn't be about topping the last wedding you went to, or impressing that snooty cousin you never talk to. It's about the two of you, and your wedding day should reflect the love you have for each other. If you love camping, do some smores for dessert. If you love tacos, forget the steak and potato dinner! Make your wedding day reflect y'all so that when a guest walks in, they KNOW they're in the right place. Or when those late night honey butter chicken biscuits (where's my TX gals at?) come out, your guests go "Oh wow, that's so them!". You do you, girl!"
Asha Mayfield
Mayfield's Magical Moments | Greenville, SC
"My wedding planning tip would be: The Bride and Groom should both take part in the planning process. After all, this is the start of life TOGETHER. "
Shanna Parrott
Pink Parrott Weddings & Events | Jacksonville, FL Follow Shanna on Instagram!
"I know we might seem biased, but hiring a planner is so important for having a stress-free planning experience. A wedding planner will keep you on track in so many areas. They will make sure your payments are on time (to your venue & vendors). Keep you on time with the planning tasks, Most importantly, they will make sure you arrive on time to the altar. The timelines planners make for your big day are invaluable"
Savannah Gryskiewicz Your Inspired Event | Fresno, CA
"My top wedding planning tip is that little things are big things. How is everyone getting to and from each location? Where are the flower girl and ring bearer going to be during the ceremony? What should the bartender do if someone drinks too much? Who is taking your personal decor items at the end of the night? When do parents need to arrive for the day? Considering these things is absolutely key for a smooth, stress-free wedding day that you're able to fully enjoy. Yes, these decisions are unglamorous... and they're even more unglamorous on wedding day. If you don't nail down these details ahead of time, one of two things will happen. One, you'll need to figure it out in the heat of the moment or, two, someone else will decide for you how it should be handled."
"I have pre-made place cards for both sets of parents that read "Reserved for the parents of the Bride & Groom" so that when they finally get to their table they are assured to have the best seats at their table to see the couple without needing to look through others all night long!! This practice came from a night where the need for this was painfully clear to me as I watch a FOB who shelled out beaucoup-bucks and spent the night swaying between others to see his daughter."
Talia Hair
"Talk about a budget BEFORE booking your vendors. Often times couples book a venue that has a high F&B minimum or restricts what vendors they can use which in many cases are the higher range."
Virginia Fernández-Swope
"My top wedding planning tip: set your priorities from the beginning and stick to it. Remember to make it all about you and your fiance."
Karla Solorzano
"Enjoy the process! It’s is your day and you will only experience it once!"
Bianca Anderson
"My wedding planning advice is: Take 15 minutes of quiet time for just the two of you sometime after the ceremony. Soak in that newlywed feeling before joining your guests, the day goes by so fast!"
Claudia Masciarelli Claudia & Co. | Toronto, Canada
"My wedding planning tip: make your guest list before you book a venue. You want to have an idea of how large, or small your wedding will be to ensure the venue can accommodate. It doesn't have to be exact, just an idea so you know what you're working with."
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Heather Hollingsworth
"When you see an idea you love on Pinterest, instead of copying it exactly, tweak it to give it your own personal twist so that instead of thinking “I’ve seen that before”, your guests will be thinking “Wow, what a unique idea”! "
Alisha Freeman The Productionista | New York City, NY
"Every couple has different priorities and yours may not include hiring a full-service wedding planner. That is ok! However, at the very least, hire a wedding professional to help you manage your planning process in the home stretch. You will be glad you did when the reception is over, all the guests have left and you're not stuck tearing down all of the DIY decor in your beautiful wedding gown. Let someone else manage the logistics so you can enjoy time with your new husband or wife."
Heather O'Hare Thomas
"Pro-tip: If you are starting to plan your wedding for 2021, please keep in mind that venues and vendors are filling up with reschedules from 2020. You don’t have to have all of your details figured out but make it a priority to secure the date with those “must have” vendors before they book up! Oh, and, a planner certainly helps with this! "
Megan Brewer Gillikin
A Southern Soiree | Weddings for Real Podcast | Raleigh, NC
"Hire a professional videographer. It's a vendor that often gets dropped off the list of priorities but it's the one decision where when my couples opt not to hire one, they come back to me after and say it was their biggest regret. Your wedding day is a blur and having those live moments to look back on...to hear your dad's voice during the toast, to hear your own voice quiver during vows...these things aren't captured in photos and I PROMISE you, it will be a treasure years down the line!"
Tiffany Nicole
"My tip would be don’t be afraid to nix “wedding traditions”. You don’t have to please people, cut cake, toss a bouquet or have a wedding party. Work with a planner to design a day that's authentic to you as a couple and the story and ambiance YOU want to share."
"Choose your wedding planner before you book your venue. Often the venue will state that xxx people will fit. However with these days of social distancing it’s important to see firsthand how you can place your loved ones and still feel like everyone will feel safe inside the venue. The planner can also pre-walk the space with you in order to give ideas of decor and layout before you hire florists and decorators."
Patti Casas
Matthew Alexander Weddings & Events, LLC | High Point, NC
"For destination weddings, make sure you understand the country’s restrictions. Some have residency requirements of up to 3 days before you can get married. Some require a blood test. Others require that all your documents be translated into Spanish. Make sure that you factor all these things into your budget, which a good wedding planner and travel advisor will help you with."
Gloria Schulz
Gloria Schulz Events | Atlanta, GA
"Small Intimate Weddings are in style! Keep It Special, Keep it Simple, Keep it Small! Have the people there with you who mean the most to you on your special day. You will be able to spend more of your budget on the things you love instead of feeding 250 guests!"
Kayce Mae Kay Mae Designs | New England Area
"Pro wedding planning tip: Eco-friendly options are easy to make! Simply add a compost and recycling bin, do not use single use plastic items, and consider donating foods, decor, or dresses to local organizations"
Angela B. Cameron
"Pro wedding planning tip: Before things get hectic take a pre-honeymoon. Sneak away for a weekend and relax."
Suzanne Frazer
Toast Events | New York, NY Follow Suzanne on Instagram!
"To thine own self be true." Listen to your instincts and go with your gut on the decisions in this process. It's YOUR wedding so YOUR opinion is the most important one in the cacophony of opinions around you."
Kaitlin Ford
"My advice: know your guest count, budget and priorities prior to booking anything! It’s so easy to set off in the wrong direction without a clear path if you don’t know these things. Guest count is huge. I can’t tell you how many couples start out saying we think we have 150 people but then end up with an invite list of 200 because they didn’t write it down to start!"
Adeola Damie
"For inter-racial weddings. Ensure you incorporate elements from both cultures. It could be as simple as weaving your flags into the bouquet ribbons, music selections, or the menu choices. Paying tribute to each side of the family sets you off on a good start."
Angela Gossard
"I encourage my couples to hire a videographer! Reason being is twofold. When I was married just a few years ago, I didn’t hire a videographer. We regret it so much now! Having that personal connection to the feeling, and knowing other couples feel the way we do if they too didn’t have a videographer, It is a vendor I always encourage my clients to secure."
Keli Schoonover
"During the planning stage, chose one friend or MOH and your mother to accompany you. Save all of your bridesmaids for showers and bachelor parties. Too many opinions can sway what you really want. Your dress appointments and floral meetings should be your mother and MOH only. Things will go so much smoother and you will be able to enjoy it fully!"