Wedding Advice: 9 Tips from Wedding Professionals
You’re looking to have that perfect day and won’t stop planning until you think you’ve nailed it. We get it! The truth is, there will always be a bump in the wedding planning road but we can help. After 25 years in the wedding industry, we know key tips and tricks that can make that road as smooth as possible, here are 9 of our favorite tips for wedding advice.
1. Be realistic about time.
The number one cause for a delay on your wedding day is the amount of time it takes for hair and makeup. That early delay can kill your timeline for the rest of the day. Another time factor is the travel time between locations, especially if your travels will take you near a stadium on game day! Allow enough time in your plans so that a little hiccup won’t cause you stress.
2. Don’t Strive for Perfection.
The reason it’s called the small stuff is – it’s the small stuff. Decide what’s important to you, and stick to your guns. If it’s not on that list, be flexible.
3. Ask The Right Questions.
You will be entrusting your big day to the vendors you work with. Make sure you are dealing with professional wedding service providers and read the contacts. If they don’t have a contract or are unwilling to answer your questions, that should be a red flag.
4. Always Hire Professionals.
While it may be tempting to hire cut-rate services, it rarely pays to go cheap. Professional wedding service companies understand wedding protocol and have the experience needed to seamlessly handle unforeseen conditions. Remember, this is the biggest day of your life so far, trust professionals to handle the details.5. Don’t Work Your Own Wedding.
Once you’ve made the wedding planning decisions, and everyone has the plan, let the day unfold. If you spend the day worrying about every little detail, you’ll forget to enjoy it. Your family and friends are there to spend time with you, not watch you work a checklist. Allow the photographer to direct your photos, the DJ to lead the announcements and play your music, and your professional wedding videographer to capture the memories – you go out there and make them!6. Consider The Weather.
Plan for the unexpected, weather-wise. Outdoor weddings are beautiful, but you should always have a backup location. If you want to do pictures outside and a thunderstorm hits, you’ll be confident knowing you and your professional wedding photographer have discussed indoor opportunities. You can’t control the weather, but you can be prepared by developing a wedding photography plan.7. Have Clear Conversations With Family.
Have honest, open conversations with family that may be helping you with the cost. Are they giving you a gift or do they have expectations on how their money will be spent? As you develop your budget, you’ll want to know how much influence your family expects and how much you are comfortable with.8. Be Frugal Without Being Cheap.
It’s easy to design your dream wedding when the sky’s the limit. Now, how easy is it do it on a budget? You may even want to set aside a contingency budget for last-minute surprises. It is important to take a look at the wedding you want, set a budget, and stick to it. And in the end, you’ll be happy that you did.9. Most Importantly… Enjoy the Day!
The most important wedding advice? Cherish every moment of it. This will be a day you remember forever. You’re marrying the love of your life and celebrating with your closest friends and family. You’ve invited your guests to share in your day. Your family & friends are there to celebrate your love and enjoy this day with you. Be sure to be a part of it!Your budget will love our Team Approach Package.
Photography + DJ + Videography + over $1,500 in extras = $6,197
Save Time
Imagine booking your photographer, videographer, and DJ with one phone call.
Save Headaches
When you bundle services with Mike Staff Productions, our team coordinates with one another, so you don’t have to.
Save Money
With The Perfect Package, you’ll enjoy substantial discounts and bonuses. Can you imagine coming in under budget?
Wedding Advice from a Wedding Planner
Wedding Planner Tracie Morris of ‘You’re The Bride’ shares her tips and tricks to tackle your wedding planning. Is your head spinning? If you’re planning a wedding, it probably is. Many brides find themselves overwhelmed by all the details, especially in the early stages of preparation. That’s why I’ve compiled the Six P’s of Wedding Planning – these tips will help you deal with the details and have a stress-free wedding.
The Six P’s Of Wedding Planning
- Price. Regardless of who is picking up the tab, you need to know and adhere to the budget. Before booking the hall, ordering invitations, or spending any money at all, you should compile a list of what each item will cost and make sure it fits within your budget. Good research is the key to planning a successful, affordable wedding.
- Practical. Being on a budget requires the bride and groom to make sensible choices. For example, splurging on a designer wedding gown may mean sacrificing something else down the line. That leads into our next P.
- Prioritize. Your wedding preparations start with the proposal and end with the honeymoon. It’s everything in between that can be hair-raising for you and your family! There are hundreds of things to do, order, book, arrange, and buy. I’ve prepared a special checklist of wedding tasks that will help you get organized and prevent last-minute panics. Request your free copy by sending an email to [email protected] with the words “Countdown article” in the subject line.
- Pleasant. Sometimes this is the toughest of the Six Ps. When you feel the tension mounting, take time out for yourself. You don’t want your wedding to be remembered as an ordeal so try to keep a positive outlook.
- Parents. Whenever possible let parents and siblings assist with the preparations. You’ll need plenty of helpers and they’ll appreciate being involved.
- Protocol. Wedding etiquette has become more complex over the years. There are several books available on the subject such as Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette. But one great free resource is an article entitled “Wedding Etiquette Guidelines.” It deals with touchy issues like who pays for what, who you tip, how you word the invitations and much more. To request a free copy, send an email with the subject line “Wedding etiquette article” to [email protected].
About the Author: Tracie Morris has been a Certified Wedding Planner since 1999. Since then, she’s become known as the Bride Guru. Visit her website for more information on packages and pricing or call 248-408-4602.
Mike Staff is the founder and CEO of Mike Staff Productions, Metro Detroit’s most awarded wedding entertainment and media company. Since founding Mike Staff Productions in 1996, Mike has led a team that has served over 25,000 couples across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties — providing wedding DJ, photography, and videography services at hundreds of Metro Detroit venues. Under his leadership, Mike Staff Productions has earned recognition as one of the top wedding companies in the country, with consistent five-star ratings on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google. Mike pioneered the Team Approach model — coordinating DJ, photo, and video under one contract — to eliminate the stress and coordination gaps couples face when booking vendors separately.
