5 Big Wedding Planning Myths

1) The only way to have a stylish wedding is by breaking the bank.
There are plenty of design elements that can be incorporated into every bride’s wedding that feel high end, but don’t absorb a hefty portion of the budget. Loads of candles always look glamorous, and at varying heights, in unique vessels, they also make for a very interesting table. For those brides who don’t want the popular but cost-heavy chiavari chair, savings can be found in chair covers and sashes. A duo-plated entrée gives a beautiful presentation for the wedding guests, and for a cost savings, choose a chicken and fish option instead of the traditional beef and chicken or beef and fish selections. Pull eye catching floral designs from bridal magazines and ask your florist not necessarily to replicate, but similarly recreate the designs with a product mix obtainable for your budget. This tactic can also be used when wedding dress shopping. Similar design lines from couture dresses show up on dresses of every budget. Take magazine shots of designer dresses to a knowledgeable bridal shop and they can direct you to dresses from alternate lines within your budget.

2) DIY projects always mean a huge cost savings.
Certainly there are some projects that can save a substantial amount of money. Baking and wrapping favors for your guests, for example, is one way. Hand writing the envelopes to your save the dates and invitations instead of enlisting the help of a calligrapher, is another. However, many projects surrounding your wedding are best left to the professionals. Your flowers, for example, need to be handled by a professional florist who is comfortable working with your budget and design concepts. Many a bride attempts to create her personal flowers and centerpieces, only to wind up overwhelmed and with a less than ideal end result. A professional florist, who will take the time to make your wedding vision come to life, is well worth the money spent. Photography is another area where it’s best left to the pros. It may be an enticing thought to have an uncle/friend/cousin photograph your wedding because they’ve offered it as a wedding gift, but you may find you don’t get the photos a professional could provide. Experience, professional equipment, and an artistic eye mean you’re set up to get the best shots. And it’s hard to find that combination in amateur photographers. Your photos are one of the only lasting elements of your wedding day; make sure you have the best! And the bonus is your uncle/friend/cousin can enjoy the wedding as they should, by being your guest. Whenever you’re considering taking on a DIY project vs. paying a pro, ask yourself these questions. “Do I have the necessary skills to complete this project?” “How much time will I have to invest in this to get the job done right?” And, based on questions one and two, “Is it worth it, or should I trust a pro and pay the fee?” More often than not, you’re better off staying stress free and letting those who are paid to do it, do it.

3) My friend/sister/cousin used this vendor for _______ so I should too.
Referrals can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they’re great because they can help you weed through the sea of eager and, sometimes less than professional, wedding vendors to the reliable, really good ones. On the other hand, not every really good vendor is for every couple. It’s important to take referrals into consideration when choosing your wedding vendors, but you also need to meet with a variety of vendors before making your final decision. For example, just because so-and-so raved about a cake, doesn’t mean you should rush out and put a deposit with the baker. What it does mean is that this is a baker you want to investigate further. So, make an appointment for a tasting and take the time to not only sample the merchandise, but also look at previous designs, and talk with them about flavors, pricing, and your ideas. This goes for all of your wedding vendors, from the stationery to the entertainment. Make sure you’re comfortable working with each vendor because they will play an integral part in your wedding day. Never go into an agreement sight unseen. Meet with your potential vendors, see their previous work, and make sure their work is a good fit for your vision.

4) My bridesmaids’ dresses have to match my wedding color(s).
While the bridesmaids’ dresses should compliment the colors used in your wedding day elements such as the flowers, linen, and stationery, they don’t have to match them. Neutral colors of black, champagne, and shades of gray or brown make excellent choices for bridesmaids’ dresses. A neutral tone provides a beautiful backdrop for the bouquets to “pop” off of, and most are complimentary to every skin tone. Who doesn’t look good in black – right? The other bonus of neutral dresses is that your colors aren’t fighting with one another. It’s hard to find a red dress that will perfectly match your red flowers that will perfectly match your red place cards your guests will place beside your red napkins at the table. While tone on tone can be pretty, at times too much of a good thing, really is just too much. And, dare we say it, depending on the style of the dress, a neutral color provides your bridesmaids with the slight chance they just might wear that dress again someday.

5) I don’t need/can’t afford a wedding planner.
Planning a wedding is indeed exciting, but it can also be quite stressful. A wedding planner, among many other things, will ease your stress and keep you organized so you are 100% ready for your wedding day. And, a planner doesn’t take you out of the planning. You are still involved in all of the decisions surrounding the wedding. But with a planner, you have way less legwork, a selection of the best vendors at your fingertips, guidance for sticky (and non-sticky) situations, an artistic vision to bring your visions to life, and a non-biased, completely outside friend to get you through this journey of planning to the real fun of your wedding day. And, many planners have a range of options to suit many different budgets. Maybe you can’t afford full planning services, but you can certainly afford to have someone there the day of to keep everything on track, answer questions, keep everyone organized and seamlessly flowing from ceremony to cocktails, through the reception, and allow for your day to be just that – your day. Stress free, focused on what’s important; you’re entering into a lifetime together as husband and wife.

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