Being engaged and planning your wedding should be one of the most exciting parts of your pre-marital relationship- right? After all, you are planning for your future, and putting together one of the most exciting days of your life! And while this sounds great in theory the reality is that wedding planning can be extremely stressful and challenging. But those frustrations and challenges can be met, and your dream day can be everything you want it to be.
Wedding Planning Challenges and How to Deal with Them
Budget
Wanting that magical wedding you have always dreamed of is understandable, but sometimes the budget and the dream don’t match. You can avoid the sticker shock by deciding what elements you are willing to compromise on, or even forgo, at the beginning of the wedding planning so you can get the most from your available money. Then, as the planning progresses, be diligent in keeping up with expenses, so you can stay on budget and adjust where needed. Consider using an app such as the Wedding Budget app from Zola.
Guests List
This is typically determined by your venue’s seating ability, but once that number is set creating a guest list can cause some tension. Consider making two lists. One that includes everyone you would like to invite, and a second one of those you can’t imagine getting married without. Then as people RSVP based on the Must Have List, you can add people from the Wish List.
Overthinking
There will be many decisions you and your SO will have to agree on- caterer, photographer, venue, etc.- decide what things you are willing to compromise on before you must make a final decision. Not sure what elements to be open to compromise on? This is where having a trusted friend or wedding planner will be helpful.
Other People
Some people have a hard time understanding this is your wedding, not theirs. They want you to do things based on their personal preferences or desires. Listen to what they have to say, and be able to tell them if you are wanting to do something as you envisioned. But don’t be afraid to change. Sometimes having an outside opinion can mean getting the same result with less work, time, or money invested.
Venue and vendors
At the end of the day, it is YOUR day. So, you and your significant other need to choose the place and the people that meet your needs and expectations. Do as much research about potential venues and vendors before spending time touring, testing, and tasting. Once you have narrowed down the list of people and places to 3-5 of each, make appointments for you and your significant other to vet them in person.
Have Fun
Being engaged is a busy time, but don’t forget to enjoy the process and still make time to just be a couple. Try to balance wedding planning with simply being a couple. One way to do this is by being intentional in when you plan. For instance, only plan on Thursday evenings from 6-8, and focus on fun the other times.
Wedding planning rarely happens without hitting a few challenges, but those hiccups don’t have to result in complete drama and stress. Use the tips here and talk to your Gala Events Facility wedding planning pro. They are well-versed in all things weddings and can help you solve even the biggest wedding planning challenges. Before you know it, those problems will be behind you, and your wedding day will be here!