If only wedding planning was a complete breeze from “yes” to “I do”, but the truth is, there are guaranteed to be a few bumps along the way. But before you are faced with one, (or even a few), of these pesky little hiccups, we’ve assembled some common scenarios that you can learn how to handle, or how to avoid all together.
Blowing your wedding budget
The bad news is that this happens all the time, but the great news is that it can be completely avoided by taking a few steps before committing to the specifics of your wedding. This may sound biased, but it’s worth mentioning. Setting up a consultation with a wedding planner before you send Save the Dates, commit to any vendors, or choose a venue can save you thousands in the long run. A great wedding planner will help set expectations in terms of costs, and from there you can make informed decisions about all of the details of your big day. If you’ve already signed contracts, and are looking to cut costs as you get closer to your wedding day, think about some of the details that, while may be nice touches, ultimately do not impact the outcome of your wedding. These things may include wedding favors or welcome bags, ceremony programs or an elaborate desert bar, for example.
Tension with your wedding party…
….or tension with anyone close to you for that matter! It’s important to first honestly ask yourself, is it you? Are you asking others to do things that you yourself wouldn’t be so keen to participate in if you were the bridesmaid or the family member of someone else getting married? Are your bridesmaid dresses sensitive to various budgets and tastes? Have you chosen a super pricey hotel as the only option for accommodation? If any of these scenarios ring true for you, take a moment to trade in your expectation for appreciation of others, and you will see tension dissolve. If, on the other hand, you feel that you have been very fair and accommodating, but are still getting a bad vibe from someone, make time to go out for a glass or wine or a tea, and have an open conversation without judgement. Ask your friend what’s up, and they will probably be relived to have the space to open up to you. After listening to your friend’s feedback, and finding a solution, share how excited you are to share your special day with your friend, so that you can reinforce the message that their friendship is far more important to you than say, a bridesmaid dress or other wedding detail.
Your guest list is suddenly enormous
It’s common to have guest list inflation as you approach your wedding day, even if you and your partner decided early on who would and wouldn’t be invited. If your guest list is getting out of hand, set a few “rules” in place, and stick to them. Some rules could include setting a cut-off date (no one new is invited within 8 weeks), or completely leaving co-workers off of your list, or similarly, children under a certain age. If people approach you asking if they are invited, don’t feel pressured to give in, and say yes. If they are not invited, simply explain that your venue can only accommodate X number of people, or that your budget could really only afford X number of guests. It might be uncomfortable in the moment, but you will be grateful in the long run that you stuck true to your plan.
You have a last minute beauty disaster
With all of the pre-wedding stress and lack of sleep, it’s not surprising if you have a new zit suddenly appear, get a sunburn while trying to achieve optimal wedding glow, have slightly darker circles under your eyes, or even develop a dreaded cold sore. While all of these beauty problems are inconvenient, they are still fixable. Call on your glam squad and let the experts do what they do best. While your zit might feel like a mountain to you, it’s more likely that it’s nothing your makeup artist hasn’t conquered in the past, or if you're dealing with a bad haircut, ask your do of hair stylist to slightly modify your look with a romantic updo that camouflages the cut. Also, remember that between your stunning gown, your accessories, and most importantly, the enormous smile that you’ll be wearing all day, your guests won’t be focusing on tiny blemishes and imperfections. Still freaking out? Just take a deep breath and remember what is most important about your wedding day - starting a brand new life with the person you love and adore.
All photos of Brandy and Kristie's beautiful wedding by Brittany Janelle.
Sip and Twirl is a boutique wedding and event planning company based in Scottsdale, AZ. We take great pride and pleasure in bringing a client's dream wedding to life. We specialize in weddings of all sizes, and have options available for couples who are looking for just a little guidance, or a lot of help. Reach out to as at info@sipandtwirl.com, or by calling us at 480-648-0663.
Photo by Brittany Janelle