20 Essential Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks

1. Take one thing at a time

It is true that organizing a marriage requires a total investment from yourself over a relatively long period, with unforeseen events that will shop up to spice up everything, nights of sleep sacrificed because of a simple choice of napkins, emotional roller coasters that will make you live a year like you’ve never experienced before but…
Between every small and big events that will cross your path, do not forget to take a deep breath. The big finish will be perfect whatever happens!

2. Anticipate appointments and bookings

Whether romantic, spectacular or well located, wedding venues are usually stormed well in advance. It is, therefore, necessary to anticipate as much as possible and to visit the one you want, then to reserve it, at least a year and a half, or even two, in advance. Same for the contacts with all types of providers – if not included in the whole package. For the rest – cake, announcement, clothes, etc.. the ideal would be to have all the appointments fixed about six months before. Invitations will be sent three months in advance, indicating a date of response so that the quantities can be fixed with the caterer.

3. Establish a timeline planning

Nothing better than relying on a timeline wedding checklist: month by month, this document allows you to list the tasks to be done chronologically, and to indicate those that are completed. Every important step, every deadline, every prerequisite is mentioned there. It sounds a bit like project management, but organizing your wedding is one of the big projects of your life, isn’t it？

4. Define a budget

Before embarking on crazy projects, it is essential to plan a budget by determining what is most important to you: the ceremony? The marriage venue？ Clothes？ The caterer？ Animations？
It is possible to hire the services of a “wedding planner”, which comes with a cost, but then allow to unburden yourself from any responsibility.

Ashna’s Wedding Dress Setup

5. Choose a nearby wedding venue

If the idea of getting married at the other end of Australia or even the world may seem attractive, it requires logistics. Prefer a reception area near your home to make things easier for you.
Round trips will be fast and you can go there as many times as you need without having to organize weeks in advance.

6. Find out your style

Start by defining the wedding style you want. Rather rural, urban, industrial, elegant, traditional… Depending on this, you will direct your research to the place that will best meet your expectations. If there is no obligation to choose a theme, it is strongly recommended to define an atmosphere and colours.
This will provide a strong guideline to help make all the different choices, be it the place, the bride and groom clothing, paperwork or even space organization. It’s hard to imagine a grand-style wedding in a tavern or a rock’n’roll ceremony in a cathedral. Or may it be a racy choice？

7. Think carefully about the table plan

Ah, the puzzle of the table plan! Rather than wanting at all costs to promote meetings between strangers that day – which may turn cold and spoil an evening – it is better to gather people who know each other and appreciate each other’s presence. Don’t take any risks.
We will make a “family” table, another for “colleagues”, another one liberalized “children”… if possible with the services of a nanny, to allow everyone to spend a pleasant and friendly time. Good to remember: there is free web software, which assists you in developing the famous table plan.

8. The choice of music

What is a wedding party without music? It’s like Sydney without the Opera House. Music is the dream companion of happiness and a wedding is not a wedding if it is not crossed from end to end by joy. Thanks to the music, the best moments of this special day take all their relief and are filled naturally with emotions.
Choosing the right person for this job is therefore essential. We are talking about that one who knows how to put THE music at the right moment. The one who knows how to raise the mood of the evening in a crescendo manner, sending intravenously a whole range of emotions with a contrast of moving, nostalgic, federating songs etc…
In short, an orchestra, a DJ or every professional who is listening to what you really want to listen to.

Ash’s Wearing

9. The photographer

What is more important than to crystallize the key moments of your marriage? How many times did we hear newlyweds saying: “for a whole year we organized our wedding and it happened so fast, like if it lasted just a few minutes.”
The only way to relive the moments and even to discover some of them, is by calling a professional photographer. They are the choice of safety for that will be one of the most important moments of your life.
Thus, the choice of a good photographer must be thorough, assuming that his role will be central. Little tip? Choose the one who has an eye for the emotional moments that will take place on this magical day, the one that reveals the essentials through its shots!

10. Trial, and trial again

Feeling at your best on the day of your wedding is of major importance. Because when you feel that way, you shine and do not bother for small details that eclipse all the rest. We speak especially for women who may see their wedding spoiled if her hairstyle, makeup or wedding dress has something wrong!
It is, then, absolutely necessary to avoid any inconvenience – of any kind – by having everything well prepared in advance and give yourself a sufficient margin reconsider some elements if necessary.
For example for your dress, hairstyle or makeup, do not hesitate to do several tests or fitting sessions to quiet your mind on that side.

Ashna and Ash’s Wedding At Luminare

11. Take dancing lessons

To change from the Classic Waltz opening, why not take a little dance class and work on a cool mini-choreography? This will allow the couple to have fun, and give a different atmosphere to the event!
Useful tip: it may be better to practice with the very shoes and dress you will be wearing on that day, it can change everything.
On the D-day, give space for a moment after the ceremony to practice one last time, just not to go wrong when you will be in the center of all the attention!

12. Choose wisely your shoes set

The wedding day is usually a very long day, during which we remain standing for a long moment. Now, there is no worse torture than having to dance and go from one guest to another with wrecked feet. To avoid what may turn your special day into a nightmare, it is highly recommended to try and train your shoes.

13. Think about adults… and kids!

Every guest must have fun at your wedding, so do not leave the kids behind.

In order to let them fully enjoy your reception, offer them some special activities. Do not hesitate to hire an animation professional to reassure parents and be assured that they will not bother at any time. Shows, treasure hunts, coloring, makeup sessions, inflatable structures. Children will love having an adult to play with.

Stephanie and Luke’s Wedding Cake

14. How to pick your wedding dress

Go to Pinterest and visit websites of different wedding dresses brands to try to define the style that you are looking for. This may not be the one for which you will finally select (the fittings are often full of surprises!) but it may be a first path to take.
Keep the names of brands and creators that you like the most and make an appointment. Do not hesitate to contact them in March for the following summer. Schedules are often loaded, especially on Saturdays!

15. The engagement ring

39% of women would like to change their engagement ring.
He knelt down, took the case out of his pocket, looked at you in the eyes and… you do not even remember what he said as you were only focused on the engagement ring.
You change all his gifts ideas since the first day, but how to make him understand without making him feel that he was wrong once more? In the momentum of romanticism, you pretended to adore it and you told yourself that you would end up loving it because it is the symbol of your love. Except that every time you meet a woman with the ring of your dreams on her finger, you want to pull her hair off.
Do you feel that the marriage proposal is approaching? Put him on the right track (I love that ring from Angelina Jolie, even go downright talking to his best friend. After what he will do to you during his wedding speech, he owes you that!

16. Eat and drink (a lot!)

Many brides do not take the time to eat and hydrate themselves enough. Huge mistake! Forget the hassle and enjoy your meal, enjoy your appetizers and other small treats. You order nice things to please your guests, enjoy them too!
Do not forget to drink water, especially during periods of high heat. Your body is put to test on this magical day, and you will (surely, but we do not wish you) run around, so be on top and drink a lot of water!
You are also advised to eliminate alcohol abuse during the week of preparation. Be your best for the big day, where you can drink with moderation!

Ashna and Ash’s Wedding Firework

17. Take some couple time

This day will pass very quickly. It is therefore important to get together between newlyweds to enjoy a break and to share this wonderful day!
Several opportunities will come to you (during the trip to your reception area, before all the guests are present, at the end of the meal or cocktail party etc.). You have to know how to take time for yourself and exchange a moment between lovers, a simple as that!
Among these tips to enjoy her wedding, it is also suggested to share moments during the couple last weeks, between all the preparations. What a better idea than a hug to free yourself from the stress that rises？

18. Communicate your emotions

A wedding is a great day and it is quite normal to stress and apprehend that day. So do not hesitate to talk about your anxieties to your loved ones: your future husband, your family, your friends. They will bring you comfort and will give you good advice.

19. Take some rest the day before

Before your wedding, many of you will run between the last appointments, to organize the final details. We advise you to be methodical and to give yourself space for a relaxing day before your wedding!
Enjoy your friends and family on this last day of preparation. It is important to have your loved ones with you to be able to change your mind or to get someone to do something for you. And do not go to bed too late. Clear and simple objective: to be at the top for the next day!

20. On the big day, relax and enjoy

You will be the stars of the day, so start the day with peace of mind! Pamper yourself during the styling and makeup session. Previously – even if, in principle, the bride and groom do not have to see each other before the ceremony… – do not hesitate to have a small massage duet. You will leave the wedding venue relaxed and ready to face a day rich in emotions!
> We Would Love To Hear From You