First of all...


Congratulations! What an amazing feeling! You popped the question/ you said yes. Life is good! But now what? Once upon a time, long long ago, I was a fiance. The excitement, the euphoria, THE PLANNING. As a wedding photographer, I feel like I've experienced the wedding planning on all sides. I had my own (courthouse) wedding, I was a matron of honor, I was a bridesmaid, I was a sibling of someone getting married and now I'm a vendor at someone's wedding.


Here are a few helpful tips on things I've picked up along the way:


  1. Prioritize what is important to you: Pick 3 or 4 things that are "must haves" for your big day. Are pictures the most important thing to you? Book your photographer early. Is there a venue you're dying to get married at top on your list? Make contact ASAP and inquire about available dates. The point is, you can't prioritize everything. You'd be planning your wedding for YEARS.
  2. Set timed goals: A list of goals is great, but setting a timeline to achieve your goals is key. Do you have your date yet? Start listing your 'to-do' list and adding a date to make sure you're reaching goals will keep you accountable. I promise, that it will make the weeks leading up to your big deal run smoother.
  3. You don't need to share ALL your wedding plans with everyone: Too many 'cooks in the kitchen' can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress. Which can lead to second guessing yourself on decisions for a day that's really supposed to be about the couple. Remember, you don't need to discuss every detail with everyone. You can't go wrong with your decisions, because it was the one you made for your wedding.
  4. If you have a bridal party, discuss the budget ahead of time: I have personally paid thousands of dollars to be a part of someone's big day. But I have also declined being a part of someone's bridal party or traveling to destination weddings due to my own finances at the time. Discuss the monetary responsibilities with your pals. Not everyone can afford it, and that's ok! You'd rather have the honest conversation now, rather than them resenting you for having to cough up the money later. Your relationship with that person will be better off for it!
  5. Enjoy your day! Weddings and wedding planning are EXHAUSTING. So when your big day finally comes, remember to take a deep breath and let it ride. The planning has been done, and it's time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. AND REMEMBER TO SIT AND EAT YOUR MEAL!