Planning a wedding is a job unto itself. And you are already working at your “other” job. How to keep both jobs on high achievement and enjoy the process can be a challenge. Many people may step forward and offer help, and whenever you can – say “yes” and “thank you” to these kind offers. But, in spite of having helpers, here are 6 wedding planning dos and don’ts that you will want/need to handle yourself.
6 Wedding Planning Dos and Don’ts
1. Make sure that you announce your engagement to your family and closest friends (in that order) before you post it on social media! It is more than just courteous. It is a family event first. This is one wedding planning dos and don’ts that we can’t stress enough. Think about how you would feel if you found out about the engagement of someone in your immediate family or a super-close friend by reading about it on social media.
2. Think about how you plan to handle social media and your guests. Where do you want to draw the line? Most friends and family will get the request that you are asking them to refrain from taking photos during the ceremony (unplugged wedding ceremonies have been common for years). But what about the people who get a peek of you before the ceremony? If you want the first time that people see you in your gown to be when you walk down the aisle (and not on someone’s photo posted online), you may have to be more diligent in making sure they refrain from posting anything before the reception.
Set the guidelines, (limiting who is allowed to come into the room where you are getting ready will help), share your guidelines on your social media, and consider how you plan to enforce it.
3. Think about the time gap between your ceremony ending and reception beginning. Minimize that gap whenever possible and plan on ways to cover it if the reception does not immediately follow the ceremony, (cocktail hours are ideal).
4. However handy it may seem to you, it is NOT OK to include gift registry information on your wedding invitation, or included in your invitation sweet. Simply put – Do not do it!!
(For other invitation tips and advice check out my book “Wedding Invitations, RSVPs, and More! Oh My!”)
5. Give some careful thought to your attendant’s gifts, as well as gifts for your groomsmen. Consider how much time and $$ they have spent just to be a part of your wedding party. They have bought a gown, shoes, and probably were invited to every shower given on your behalf. So do not skimp. Be thoughtful. Depending on the cultural norms where you live, some experts suggest a gift range per attendant of $75-150.
6. Remember the guidelines around thank you notes. You will receive some wonderful gifts and while you will say thank you in person when the gift is handed to you at a shower, brought to your wedding reception, etc., the rules of written thank you notes still exist.
For gifts received at showers and/or engagement parties – get the thank you notes out within 2-3 weeks. If wedding gifts arrive before the wedding, acknowledge their receipt prior to the wedding and follow up with a written thank you. Gifts received after the wedding – within 2-3 weeks.
And no – you do not have up to a year to write thank you notes. The outside limit is 3 months.
Photo Credit:
Parekh Cards via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for fun ideas, or need help with your wedding plans?
Weddings From The Heart can help. Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!
