Your wedding is one of the most special days of your life, and you want it to be as memorable as possible. Of course, everyone’s idea of a perfect wedding is different, which means it is down to you to make the specifics as enjoyable as possible.
That being said, when you are preparing for such a momentous occasion, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed with the pressure of trying to make the day a success. It makes picking the right engagement ring look easy.
After all, you are going to remember the day for the rest of your life, and you (hopefully) will never have another wedding day. Therefore, any little hiccup can turn into a wedding-ruining disaster, something you cannot fully prepare for.
Furthermore, despite it being the day of your dreams, you will inevitably need to compromise for the wishes of your partner, who may desire a very different day to you.
This can create disagreements before you have even been married, which can threaten to overshadow your wedding day.
Therefore, it is important to be open-minded and flexible with your wedding planning to stop yourself from trying to micromanage a day when you are supposed to be enjoying yourself.
This is the ultimate guide to experiencing the wedding of your dreams:
Collaborate with a wedding planner
When you are preparing to organize your wedding, you will realize that, far from being an idealized event of your dreams, your special day is actually fraught with challenges, from choosing the dress code, bridal dress, wedding location, who to invite, as well as smaller details like the venue aesthetic, lunch menu, entertainment, and accommodation.
The list is seemingly endless and can threaten to take the shine off what is supposed to be a romantic experience for you.
In order to help relieve you of this burden, you could seek to collaborate with a wedding planner. While at first you might think that this will make your wedding less personal because it has been organized by a stranger, in truth, you will still be in charge.
For instance, you can tell the wedding planner what your ideal wedding looks like in as much detail as you like. They will then give you their professional opinion about how feasible your ideas are, and you can create a workable plan together.
They will then go off and do the stressful jobs like contacting the venue, arranging guest accommodation, liaising with potential entertainment (such as a DJ or band), as well making sure your guests arrive on time.
You can learn more about hiring a wedding planner here.
Write down all the ideas or dreams you have about your wedding
When you are first starting to plan your wedding, it is important to get all your ideas down on paper. It doesn’t matter how crazy or fantastical they are; you should at least make a note of them to see if you can’t bring at least part of your original vision into reality.
When all your ideas are noted down, you can better visualize how you want your wedding to be, and it will be easier to combine different themes or dreams that you have for your wedding day.
Consult with your partner
One of the most important points to remember when trying to create the wedding of your dreams is that it isn’t just your day; it is your partner’s day too.
They will have their own personal thoughts about how they want the wedding to go. It is imperative that you work together to create an event that suits both of you and that you are both happy with. While you might set your heart on certain details, if your partner dislikes the idea, you might have to scrap it.
This is a tough process, there is no doubt about it, and if you are not careful, it can lead to arguments that will threaten to derail the whole day (or even your relationship).
Be sure to listen intently to what your partner has to say, and endeavor to incorporate their ideas just as equally as your own.
Write down your top five ideal wedding locations
Of course, you will need to choose a venue for your wedding, which may not be the work of a moment.
In fact, you and your partner will likely have a few venues (or even countries) in mind, so you should make a list of your top five ideal wedding locations in order to better make a decision.
You may find that certain locations are easier than others. If you would love to host your wedding on the other side of the world, but still like the idea of a wedding closer to home, then it is likely that the latter option will win out.
Remember to think about practicalities. There may be a certain location that you love, but if you can’t afford to transport your family and friends there (or if it is too far for them to travel to), then you should compromise in order to find a more practical solution.
How many guests do you want to invite?
Another question you will need to ask yourself is how many guests you would like to invite. It may be the case that you would prefer a more intimate ceremony – perhaps with a few close friends and family members. Alternatively, you might dream about having a huge party with everyone you know invited on both sides of the family.
It is easy if you and your partner agree, but respect their wishes if they disagree with your plan. It may, for example, be the case that one of you has far more people they want to invite to the wedding, but it creates an imbalance in how the event is arranged. Try and remedy this by coming to a number you are both happy with.
You will also want to keep in mind that some guests may be unable or unwilling to travel long distances, so attempt to find a venue that suits most people.
Create a realistic budget
When you are planning your wedding, it is easy to get carried away with what you want to do. However, one of the most restrictive elements of the process will be your budget. While it is sometimes left to family members to contribute to the overall cost, unless money is no object, you should keep a budget in mind.
It might be your special day, but try not to overextend yourself by going into debt or compromising your future by spending all your money on one single day. While it sounds boring, creating a realistic budget can help shape your plan and act as a barometer for what you can and can’t do. This can actually liberate you, forcing you to get creative if you can’t afford a certain item or venue.
Remember to relax and enjoy the day
Despite all of these challenges and considerations, this is your wedding, so you need to remember to relax and enjoy yourself when the day arrives. You might be the host, but no one expects you to be in charge. It is one of the only events where the host is also the guest of honor, so treat yourself as such.
The last thing you want is to be stressed or distracted on your special day, so make sure everything is planned out well in advance and delegate tasks to friends and members of your family who will likely be all too willing to help out.
After all, it might be your wedding day, but it is not the end of the world if anything goes wrong or doesn’t fit in with your vision of the ideal wedding. There should be a place for spontaneity as much as planning.