Wedding Planning Tips

Ensure that your special day runs smoothly by following our wedding planning tips. From guest lists, to venues, our wedding planning tips will ensure that your special day is glitch free.

Before we share 10 awesome wedding planning tips, if we haven't met, Hi I'm Krystal a local Calgary wedding photographer! I work hand in hand with my husband to bring our clients awesome photo and video packages! If you'd like to learn more about them I'd love to chat with you here.

Start planning your wedding day early

You might have the summer of 2022 in your mind as the ideal date for your wedding, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait a year before you begin your wedding planning. The sooner your start planning your wedding, the better, as it will be easier and less stressful as your big day approaches. By having a clear plan set up before starting your planning, it will help you keep on top of things and prevent you from forgetting something important. Some of the most important things are your budget, insurance, and guest list.

Nail your budget

Don’t begin spending money on your wedding until you’ve set yourself a realistic budget. A common mistake is forgetting all the extras, in order for you to have a budget that will work for you, you’ll need to take every single detail into consideration. Remember to account for additional costs like gifts, beauty expenses, and dress alterations. The small things add up the fastest!

Accept a helping hand from the people you trust

Friends and family will definitely be willing to offer you a helping hand for your wedding planning. By accepting a helping hand from the people you trust, you will be able to be open and honest if things aren’t exactly the way you would like them to be.

When it comes to the guest list, be selective

It’s important to sort out the guest list earlier on so that you can focus on finding the perfect venue that will be able to cater all your guests. Your biggest expense will probably be costs per head (unless you are eloping), so don’t feel bad for not inviting people you actually don’t want to be there. It’s the hardest and biggest decision of your wedding planning, but it needs to be done. It’s only you and your partner's decision.

Ensure that you have a Plan B option in place

It’s important to have a Plan B option in place, as much as you wouldn’t even want to think about it, something could go wrong on your big day. This could be anything from a problem with the weather to the catering, plan alternatives for each scenario. You should also invest in a good wedding insurance and make sure to check what the policy covers before you choose which one to take.

Pick your bridesmaids and maid of honor

Your bridesmaids and maid of honor are going to be your support structure throughout your wedding planning process. This is why it’s very important to make sure that you choose wisely. It’s not the best idea to choose family members you rarely see or friends you’ve made recently. Rather choose your long-time best friends, close relatives, siblings, and parents.

Book the best wedding photographer

You will relive your special memories from your big day in the form of a wedding album, prints, ect. Your wedding photos are the only tangible memory you will have 20 years from now, so don’t underestimate the benefits of an excellent wedding photographer. Make sure you do your research and find a photographer that will understand what you want exactly. It would even be a good idea to choose the same photographer for your engagement shoot. (We include engagement shoots with most of our wedding packages) This will help you get to know your chosen photographer better and see if their style suits you and your partner.

Get your wedding menu right

To some, one of the most important aspects of a wedding is the food. From buffets, to hog roasts, to mini fish n' chips, to bake offs, the quirkier the food is- the better! Avoid underestimating this part of your wedding planning. It's your day, have fun with it!

Let your groom have his own responsibilities

Your fiancé will definitely have his own opinions and ideas when it comes to planning the wedding, so listen to what he has to say as it is his big day as well. Most men will like to be involved in the menu, budget spreadsheets, and music.

Don’t forget the important things

If you find yourself getting overwhelmed or stressed in all the wedding planning, take a step back and remind yourself what your big day is really all about- getting married to the love of your life.

Wedding Planning Timeline

We've come up with a free wedding planning checklist to help you keep your brain organized on when things should be booked or when to consider even looking into them! Please feel free to download it for free here! I'm so excited to help your brain not feel so overwhelmed! Of course, if you have more questions for us or you feel we might be the right fit, make sure and reach out here.

Xo

Krystal