- Weddings
- 20th Sep 2024
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- 0 minute
The do’s and don’ts of wedding planning from a 2024 bride
If you’re knee-deep in wedding planning, I totally get it.
From stress dreams about bears chasing me down the aisle to accidentally giving one of my suppliers the wrong date, I’ve been through it all.
Now that I’m officially in my wifey era, I’m here to share what I’ve learned, what I’d do differently, and how to make your day as perfect as possible.
Here’s some no-nonsense advice…
DO’s
Build a Pinterest board
This brings your vision to life, and you can share it with your suppliers, making sure everyone’s on the same page.
Book suppliers early
Book your suppliers as early as you can. I started booking things two years in advance (one thing a month to avoid overload) and locked in lower prices before they went up.
Write personal vows
Our personal vows are something we’ll never regret. They gave us a chance to really show what marriage meant to us.
Use a budget spreadsheet
I’m not great with numbers (I’m more of a letters person), so a budget spreadsheet was my best friend. It kept me on track with payments and expenses. I got mine from here.
Create to-do lists
To-do lists might sound obvious, but here’s a tip: break them down. Instead of one massive list, spread tasks out over a few months. It makes planning less overwhelming.
Make a wedding website
As extra as it sounds this was a lifesaver for me. All your guests can RSVP and send their meal options and cute messages all in one place. Plus, you can add FAQs to save you answering the same questions over and over. I used The Knot.
Keep an open mind dress shopping
Go in with an idea but stay open to trying different styles. I had my heart set on a princess dress, but it didn’t suit my shape at all.
Invest in good photography
We had Sean Elliot, and he captured our day even better than we could have imagined. It’s worth every penny to have beautiful, lasting memories of your special day.
Book your honeymoon straight after your wedding
It’s a perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quality time together.
Embrace your inner bridezilla
If you’re a bit of a control freak like me, just embrace it. Take photos of how you want everything laid out – it helps make sure your vision is clear and everything turns out just right.
Pack spare shoes
I ended up with six blisters by the time of our first dance, so I was really glad I had a pair of flip-flops ready.
Plant that sausage
I know it sounds a bit mad, but I actually planted a sausage the night before the wedding after a rainy grey week, and we had a sunny day.
On the day…
Spend quality time together
Your wedding is about you two. Make sure to take moments to relax and enjoy each other’s company. My videographer suggested we watch the sunset together—a moment we’ll cherish forever.
Give yourself extra time to get ready
Always give yourself more time than you think you need. I got up at 6:30 am and still ended up being 15 minutes late, missing out on some fun TikToks I wanted to do. Maybe get your bridesmaids to help keep things on track!
Sit on the loo backwards
Okay, it’s not the most glamorous image, but if you straddle the toilet, it’s easier if your dress has a train.
DON’Ts
Don’t worry if your partner isn’t involved
If your partner isn’t as into the planning, don’t stress. It’s not that they don’t care – it’s just that they might not get the personal touches like us brides do. (We have the best ideas anyway!)
Don’t overthink others’ opinions
It’s your day, so don’t worry about what others might think. Focus on what makes you both happy. The only thing that matters is that you love every detail.
Don’t waste money on extras
I hired a beer pong table that I didn’t even notice on the day. Sometimes, the extra expenses aren’t worth it.
Don’t plan your hen too close to the wedding
Planning my hen do just two weeks before the wedding was a bit much. While I had a fab time and a great tan, my sister/maid of honour broke her foot in Ibiza and had to walk down the aisle in a moon boot.
Double-check dates with suppliers
Always double-check the date with your suppliers. I accidentally sent the wrong month to one of mine (as I said I’m not good with numbers), who arrived at the venue confused (the worst!). Typos happen, but it’s worth double-checking.
Don’t spend a fortune on favours
Favours are nice but don’t break the bank on them. We had scratch cards and many were left on the tables.
On the day…
Don’t sweat the small stuff
On the day, you won’t care about the little details. I freaked out about some table numbers peeling off the night before, but on the day, it didn’t matter at all.
Always write or type speeches out
My maid of honour knocked a button on her phone and deleted her speech mid-delivery. Now it’s a funny memory and she did so well on the spot but let’s learn from her mistake.
Don’t stress about wardrobe malfunctions
If your dress has detachable sleeves, make sure they’re secure. Mine broke during our reception entrance (oops), but honestly, it looked better without them, and I could bust some moves better.
Rachael Ellis
Creative Solutions Manager
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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