Every bride has been there. The excitement of engagement is fresh and new, you can’t wait to put together what will be the best day of your life and you want to enjoy every bit of engagement while you’re in this special season. But then as you begin to plan, overwhelm creeps in and life gets busy. I get you – I know firsthand how challenging it can be trying to plan a wedding in the midst of life.
Now looking back on my own engagement, I can see how I spent too much time planning in the wrong ways and used precious time I could have spent with my fiancé or friends. So, I’ve assembled a list of five ways you can reduce how much time you spend planning without giving up your dream day or missing out on how fun wedding planning can be.
Use Pinterest Like an Expert
Get inspired! How can you assemble a vendor dream team without knowing what you want? Sure, we all have Pinterest wedding boards that we started when we were teenagers, but take a moment to really get serious pinning what you and your fiancé want your wedding day to feel and look like. (Follow Lively Letter Co. on Pinterest for help with inspiration and planning) I recommend that you make one large board for the overall vision of your wedding. Then, once you have a good idea of what you like, create individual boards for each vendor (i.e. Florals, catering, décor, etc.). Bring your overall vision and vendor-specific boards with you when you meet with vendors. This gives them an exact visual of what you want and how their part fits in with the whole event. Being prepared can save a lot of back and forth about what you’re looking for.
Vet your Vendors
Now that you have an idea of what you want, look through vendors in your area to see how their style and presentation compares to your desired look. Go beyond the photos and read what they have to say about their services- are they focused on serving their clients? Read reviews and take note if clients talk about the vendor going out of their way to make sure everything goes well. You want someone on your team that cares about YOUR day, because if they truly care about you it will save you time and stress in the long run.
Let go of Vendor FOMO
This was probably my biggest struggle, fear of not finding the perfect vendor. I searched endlessly for venues and vendors to make sure I saw EVERY option before I made a decision, and you know what? I found my perfect vendors early in the process and wasted my time with all of that extra searching. Trust yourself when you think you’ve found the right vendor because you probably have.
Ask your Vendors for Help
Your vendors are professionals who do this regularly, they’ve likely seen it all and have so much wisdom to share! And what’s more, most vendors in the wedding industry love talking about weddings and find joy in helping brides have a great experience, so don’t be afraid to ask! Most photographers can help with timelines, most florists offer set-up, most caterers can help style the buffet table or provide linens. Go straight to the professionals first instead of wasting time on google.
Invite your Tribe In
This one is obvious but often overlooked – ask your girls to help! I don’t know a bridesmaid who wouldn’t love to help a bride. Whether you ask them to help plan, assemble invitations, help with a diy project, or just talk with them about everything going on, you tribe can be a huge blessing if you let them in.
So there you have it! Five ways you can plan smart to save time and stress less. You don’t have to spend every spare minute planning your wedding to have an amazing day. Surround yourself with vendors and friends that are supportive and excited to help, share your vision for your big day and don’t be afraid to pull the trigger once you’ve found a vendor that fits. These are all tips I wish I had been told when I was wedding planning and I hope they help you! If you have tips for smart, efficient planning, share them below in the comments! Best of luck planning, Lively Brides, and we’ll talk soon!
