Your Wedding, Your Way: Ditch the Expectations
Wedding planning can be a whirlwind of excitement and stress. With countless decisions to make, it’s easy to get caught up in the opinions of others. But remember, your wedding day is a celebration of your love and your story. It's essential to prioritize your desires and create a day that truly reflects your relationship.
Why Your Vision Matters
Authenticity: A wedding that mirrors your personalities will feel genuine and unforgettable.
Reduced Stress: Focusing on what you love will make the planning process more enjoyable.
Stronger Bond: Collaborating on your wedding can deepen your connection as a couple. Both people are getting married!
Unforgettable Memories: When you look back, you'll cherish the day that was truly yours.
How to Prioritize Your Wishes
Open Communication: Talk openly about your dreams, hopes, and non-negotiables. Talk with your future spouse, your wedding planner, your friends, whoever you know will listen.
Set a Budget: Establish financial boundaries to guide your decisions. Having a wedding that goes viral on Pinterest is definitely cool, but it’s NOT worth jeopardizing your future.
Identify Your Priorities: Determine what’s most important to you as a couple. Is it the photography (heyyy!)? Is it the food? Maybe it’s that you want to spend as much time as possible with your friends and family. YOUR priorities are your priorities.
Set Boundaries: Politely decline suggestions that don’t align with your vision. “Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate you.” “Wow, that sounds awesome! I’m so glad that worked out so wonderfully for you!” are all great ways to say, “haha no”. On the flipside, if someone is giving you negative vibes or telling you the things they hated, you can say something like, “I am so sorry you didn’t have a wonderful experience with wedding planning / your caterer / your wedding. We are prioritizing making this an enjoyable process and are looking forward to having all our loved ones together”.
Choose Your Peeps: Surround yourselves with supportive loved ones. People who are going to help you with the DIY projects you swore you would finish with four months left and are doing the week of the wedding. The people who are going to listen to your stresses, help you find solutions, and not tear down your choices.
Remember, your wedding day is a reflection of your love story. External pressures can totally overshadow your vision. So, my advice to you, as a weird gal who takes wedding pictures: Put down the Instagram, let Pinterest take a break for the night, embrace your individuality, and work WITH your partner to create a celebration that's as unique as your relationship.