Buyer’s remorse is a real thing, but you don’t have to feel it about your wedding. By asking the right questions and listening other couples’ regrets you can avoid some common mistakes that couples make in planning their wedding. Here are 5 things that you should never say after your wedding.
I wish that I had spent more on my photographer
When looking for a photographer for my own wedding I remember hearing a story from everyone, “I hired my friend” or “my uncle is a photographer” or even “we had someone gift us their photography services”, but, while all unique in different ways, the one thing that was consistent between all of these stories was the ending. “I wish we hadn’t done that.”
The unfortunate reality when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding is that you get what you pay for. The price point is, obviously, more for a professional than your uncle, but what you are paying for is more than just the title of “professional”. You are paying for experience and knowledge, a refined style and product, professionalism, reliability, and expertise that you can trust to capture all of the details and emotions of your wedding day. There are important factors to consider when choosing your wedding photographer, things that you can look at when choosing someone with experience: their photographic style, galleries, and reviews to name a few. I wrote a more extensive blog post on how to choose a wedding photographer that you can check that out here.
2. Why didn’t I let the venue run the show?
While it may be tempting to book the bare bones of a venue and attempt to personally manage every aspect of your wedding from that point forward, you are almost certainly going to regret this. After dealing with multiple contracts and juggling a thousand other details you will stumble into your wedding day less as a bride and more as a manager. Instead of soaking in the moments you will be sending your sister to grab the extra napkins and telling your Aunt Susan for the thirteenth time where to find the bottles of Prosecco.
Over at Stonefields Estate they understand how important it is that you let the venue run the show. They promise their couples that “Our team will coordinate every detail, from the moment you arrive until your last guest leaves. All you need to do is soak up the atmosphere and create some memories.”
Kylie Best, the Customer Relations Officer at Stonefields Estate reminds couples that,
”Booking a full-service venue for your wedding day offers peace of mind not only for couples, but also for their family and wedding party. Knowing that a team of experienced professionals are taking care of every detail while you and your entourage are relaxing and sipping pre-ceremony cocktails is invaluable. This leaves everyone with just one job – to be present and soak up every moment of the biggest celebration of their lives.
There is also something to be said about the impact that choosing an all-inclusive venue has on the lead up to the wedding as well. Booking a one-stop-shop venue equates to fewer contacts, and thus fewer emails and coordination on your part leading up to the big day. Your time and energy can be focused on dreaming up, creating and experiencing the day of your dreams.”
3. If Only I had eloped…
The pandemic pushed this already a growing trend into the limelight. I have offered an elopement package for over 10 years at this point and have photographed countless couples who chosen this route over a big event. There are many factors that go into choosing whether to elope or throw a big party and, at the end of the day, there isn’t a wrong answer, but what you don’t want is to have not honestly considered your options before your wedding day. So entertain those “wild” ideas of just throwing down the 101 checklists for your wedding and heading down to City Hall- or better yet, grab a photographer and officiant and jump into a canoe and get it done.
I am not saying that you need to drop the party altogether, in fact, many couples opt for just a smaller scale wedding- a micro wedding, so to speak. You can still go to the park and tie the knot with just a handful of people and then throw a slightly larger party at your favourite restaurant following your elopement ceremony. Or, do it all at the restaurant! The reality is, there are endless options and no rule book for how your wedding needs to happen. So own it. Make it your own, and whether you go for the big party or the intimate ceremony, be sure that you have considered all of your options before you tie the knot.
4. I shouldn’t have trusted my cousin with a playlist on spotify
While you may have impeccable taste in music and know exactly what you want to hear, you need to remember that your favourite song might not pull your Grandmother onto the dance floor. This is one reason that a professional DJ is a must on your wedding day. Mark Layne from Pulse Entertainment understands why a Spotify playlist just wont cut it and has some sage advice for couples as they consider their options when it comes to wedding day music curating. “If your song selections aren’t working and the dance floor is empty, will a Spotify list (or whomever is “in charge” of it) smoothly transition to a different song, genre or vibe?
While prioritizing your requests, a good wedding DJ will also be able to read the room, work in guest requests, and include their own input based on their experience. A great DJ plays the songs your crowd wants to hear, and the ones they didn’t know they wanted to hear.
Beyond just the dance floor, You are going to have some important songs during various formalities at your wedding. Don’t burden your cousin or wedding planner with playing your ceremony music or other special songs at just the right moment. An experienced DJ will work with the venue and other vendors to make sure the timing is perfect.
Even if your venue has their own sound system, having an experienced DJ utilize it and manage any microphone levels is a must. A prepared DJ will also have back-up equipment with them on site, just in case any issues arise.”
Mark further advises couples, “You might see using Spotify as a way to cut costs, but, on average, the cost of a DJ is approximately 5% of a total wedding budget. With such a vital role in the success of your event, hiring a professional to get the job done right is worth it.”
5. I can’t believe that I tried To DIY my wedding
Brittany Bested is the mastermind behind Wild Bloem Studios and she knows that planning a wedding is an incredibly intricate and emotional journey. While some couples may be tempted to DIY their wedding planning and design, there are numerous compelling reasons why investing in a full-service wedding planner and designer is a superior choice. Here are a few reasons that she presents for why you are better off not attempting to DIY your wedding.
Expertise and Experience: Professional wedding planners and designers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. They have a deep understanding of the industry, know the best vendors, and are adept at handling any challenges that may arise. For example, they can advise on the best venues based on your vision and budget and troubleshoot any logistical issues on the day of the event.
Time-Saving: Planning a wedding is a time-consuming process that requires meticulous attention to detail. By hiring a full-service wedding planner and designer, couples can save countless hours of research, coordination, and decision-making. Instead of getting bogged down in the minutiae of planning, they can focus on enjoying the engagement and looking forward to their big day.
Stress Reduction: Planning a wedding can be stressful, particularly for couples juggling busy schedules or dealing with other life commitments. A professional wedding planner and designer acts as a buffer between the couple and the stresses of planning, handling everything from vendor communication to timeline management. This allows couples to relax and savour the excitement of their engagement without getting overwhelmed by the details.
Creative Vision and Design Expertise: Wedding planners who offer design services are masters of creativity and aesthetics. They can take your vision for your wedding and turn it into a reality, ensuring that every detail is cohesive and visually stunning. From choosing the perfect colour palette to curating personalized decor elements, they bring an artistic flair to the planning process that elevates the entire event.
Attention to Detail: Weddings are made up of countless small details, from seating arrangements to signage to floral arrangements. A full-service wedding planner and designer is meticulous in their attention to detail, ensuring that nothing is overlooked and that every aspect of the wedding reflects the couple's unique style and personality.
Problem-Solving Abilities: No matter how well-planned a wedding is, unexpected issues can arise. Professional wedding planners and designers are skilled problem solvers who can handle any last-minute hiccups with grace and efficiency. Whether it's a vendor no-show or a sudden change in weather, they have the experience and resources to find a solution quickly, ensuring that the wedding day runs smoothly.
“In summary,” Brittany says “while DIY wedding planning may seem appealing at first glance, the benefits of hiring a full-service wedding planner and designer far outweigh the initial cost. From expert guidance and time-saving convenience to stress reduction and creative excellence, investing in professional assistance ensures that your wedding day is everything you've dreamed of and more.”
There are, obviously, many factors to consider while planning your wedding day and the thousands of available checklists online can make it seem even more overwhelming. There isn’t one script to follow when creating such a personal event, but hopefully these 5 “regrets” will not be ones that you have after your big day.