Planning a wedding is exhilarating, but there is a lot that goes into it: nailing down a date, choosing the colors, selecting a venue, picking flowers…the list goes on! Despite the stress, those decisions are typically easy ones to make.
As a bride or groom, you can get so wrapped up in the fun details that you often forget to consider some of the tricky dilemmas you may have to face while planning a wedding. There are hard conversations to be had and tough decisions to be made. But don’t stress, and certainly don’t let these dilemmas crush your excitement. Being prepared is the best way to get ahead and face challenges head on.
Our wedding planning experts here at Crystal Gardens are offering great advice on how to deal with some of the most common dilemmas that couples face as they plan their Big Day.
Dilemma: Weddings are expensive! How do we handle splitting costs or talking about payment options?
Our advice: This topic is tough, as money isn’t always an easy thing to talk about. But before you have the “talk”, make sure you have realistic expectations for what things will cost. You will probably need to explore costs with wedding vendors (venues, photographers, bridal salons, etc.) to find out their average prices so that you have an idea of what your budget might look like prior to discussing financials. You will want to take the time to sit down together and have this important conversation early. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on the wedding, and where the money will come from. Talk about what, if anything, each family can contribute. Do you each have savings, or maybe combined savings? Go over the things you can cut back on to save a few bucks here and there. Having the “money talk” and establishing the budget should be the first step of planning your wedding.
Dilemma: Our guest list is way too long! How do we cut people?
Our advice: Making a guest list (especially on a tight budget) is the ultimate balancing act of wedding planning. Some may even say it’s the hardest part! Here are a few things to consider when trying to cut the list: do you want kids at the wedding? Are you giving some guests plus-ones? Don’t feel pressured to invite distant family or friends from years ago—your guest list could be never ending!
Dilemma: So many friends, so much family…how do we choose who is in the wedding party?!
Our advice: Sit down with your soon-to-be spouse and decide together how many people you each want to stand at your side on the Big Day, and who is most important to you and the story of your relationship. If you are approached by a friend or family member who wants to know why they aren’t included in the party, gently explain to them that it was a tough decision, and that you are just as happy to have them as part of your wedding day, no matter what their role.
Just because you can’t include every special person in the wedding party doesn’t mean they can’t be involved in some way. Invite them to be in the room when you get ready to walk down the aisle, or have them sit at a table close to the wedding party.
Dilemma: I am religious, but my future spouse isn’t. How do we make sure our ceremony reflects both of our beliefs and values?
Our advice: The first and most important step is to sit down together and discuss what you each want as part of the ceremony—likely, a lot of it will be the same. But, if you and your partner have different religious beliefs, there are certainly ways to respect and incorporate both.
Come up with a compromise: you each get to pick 2-3 traditions, whatever they might be, to be part of your wedding. This way you are celebrating the differences in your love instead of picking one person’s values and traditions over the other’s.
When it comes to planning a wedding, some challenges are unavoidable and to be expected. But you can keep this advice with you as you dive into the process so you’re armed with the best solutions as you face them. Dilemmas or not, your day will be perfect!
Need more advice? Get in touch with us today, by email or phone at 877-545-1002.
