A Bride’s Guide to Enjoying Her Wedding: Don’t Lose Sight of What Really Matters

A Bride’s Guide to Enjoying Her Wedding: Don’t Lose Sight of What Really Matters

Planning a wedding can quickly become overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. This article will help you, as a bride-to-be, refocus on the meaning and joy of your special day and the reason you’re willing to make the large investment to have a wedding celebration with all of those you love in attendance.

As a wedding planner and wedding venue owner in Colorado for the past 20 years, I have gained wisdom that I didn’t have in my twenties when many couples get married. That wisdom has taught me that people value love and connection, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, unique vacations with friends or family, celebrations that create lifetime memories, and feeling significant. Couples are willing to invest the time and money again, even for a second wedding, but why? The reason is because this celebration is one of the most meaningful in their lives, and finding love is something to celebrate.

 

 

So How Do You Keep Sight of What Really Matters for Your Wedding?

 

Remember Why You’re Getting Married

At its core, your wedding is about celebrating the love between you and your partner. If you both decide that investing your money and time into a wedding celebration is more important than putting the money toward a down payment on a home, and having everyone you love there with you, then embrace the costs, accept the occasional stress in planning, and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the fullest. 

When stressed about any of these situations, keep your “why” for choosing a wedding celebration always in sight:

• Fear of overspending – get very clear estimates before you commit and purchase everything; keep extra money aside for unexpected expenses.
• Family drama or unwarranted opinions – set clear boundaries, and don’t sweat the small stuff with those you love. It’s your wedding, and if someone wants to contribute, it shouldn’t come with strings attached.
• Bridesmaid’s drama – if one of your bridesmaids decides to back out for some reason, consider it a blessing and let it go. In the end you’ll be glad they weren’t in your wedding photos, and things were probably brewing before this anyway.
• Overwhelming stress – remember that this is supposed to be fun and joyful.

Prioritize What Matters Most on Your Wedding Day

Every wedding involves countless decisions, but not everything will hold the same significance. Sit down with your partner and identify the top three or four elements or experiences that are most important to you on your Wedding day. Focusing on these priorities can help streamline your planning and help you “let some other things go”. 

Here are some priorities to consider:

• That your wedding is unique from any of your freind’s weddings you’ve attended
• That the venue you choose is an all-inclusive wedding venue to minimize stress and guesswork
• That your immediate families play a special role in the celebration
• That the reception flows really well without a lot of downtime and sitting and waiting
• That everyone has fun and laughs a lot
• Having a video of the day to relive over and over
• That the ceremony is meaningful to us both
• That the planning and day of is stress-free
• That the decor is really beautiful and unique 
• That everyone dances a lot and the DJ is great
• That the food is really good
• That guests don’t have to pay for their own alcohol
• etc.

Focus on The Experience You Desire, Not Just “The Things”

While it’s tempting to get caught up in having the perfect centerpieces or the most elaborate cake, what you’ll truly remember are the experiences and emotions of the day. However, this is the one time you should go all out on a few things, so prioritize the elements that will create meaningful moments and lasting memories for you such as:

• Enjoying a beautifully designed and decorated celebration
• Playing music that holds special significance for you as a couple
• Incorporating family traditions or creating new ones
• Planning opportunities for quality time with loved ones during the celebration
• Carving out time somewhere in the night just for the two of you to be alone, maybe enjoying a piece of your wedding cake without any interruptions

Look around at the people who love you, the decorations that reflect your vision, and the joy in the air. Remind yourselves that this day is about celebrating your love, surrounded by the people who matter most.

Arrive on Time to Your Church or Venue!

The number one stressor on your wedding day is arriving late and losing out on precious photo taking time, and having to rush through many things. Experience has shown me that this is one of the biggest regrets brides have. Once you’re late, there’s no room to catch up on the timeline, and you’re going to have to cut out some photos that you may have really wanted, and most likely you’re going to feel stressed. 

How to avoid this:

• Ask for advice from your Wedding venue or planner on how to manage your morning so you arrive on time for your photos or the first scheduled event.
• Make your hair and makeup appointment early enough in the day to allow for any extra time they need.
• Choose a reputable limousine company who will get you to the church or venue on time.
• Don’t worry about your bridesmaids if they are running late with hair and makeup, you should go ahead to the venue if they are running late.
• Ask your photographer exactly how long the pre-ceremony photos you want will take, and then plan accordingly.
• Let everyone know exactly what time they are to arrive at the church or venue “ready to go”.

Delegate and Involve Your Loved Ones in Your Wedding

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegating tasks not only reduces your stress, keeps your focused on the joy of the day, but also allows others to feel involved in your special day:

• Assign specific responsibilities to your wedding party
• Choose a wedding venue with a coordinator who will really help you out on your wedding day
• Accept offers of help from family and friends; believe me when I say “they really want to help”
• Consider hiring a wedding planner for complex logistics
  • Incorporate your siblings in unique and special ways; click here for some ideas 
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Embrace Imperfection & Let Go of Perfection

Remember, a “perfect” wedding doesn’t exist. Some of the most memorable moments often come from unexpected occurrences, and those moments can become cherished stories in the years to come. Adopt a mindset of flexibility and humor:

• Have a backup plan for outdoor elements, but be open to spontaneity
• Find the humor in any mishaps – they’ll make great stories later
• Focus on the joy of the moment rather than flawless execution

If you honestly won’t be happy if it rains, is super windy, cold, or extremely hot on your wedding day, do NOT choose an outdoor venue. Over the past 20 years as an owner of an indoor wedding venue in Colorado, we have heard far too many terrible stories and regrets from those who have attended or had a wedding that was ruined due to the outdoor elements. If you’re a laid back bride who will be happy no matter what, then these worries won’t be of concern to you.

Remember that no wedding is perfect, and that’s perfectly okay! The most memorable weddings are often those filled with genuine emotions and laughter. Let go of the pressure to achieve perfection, and instead focus on creating a day that reflects your unique love story, and one you will enjoy no matter what happens.

Create Moments of Mindfulness

Build in opportunities to be fully present on your wedding day:

• Take a few deep breaths before walking down the aisle
• Plan a private moment with your new spouse immediately after the ceremony
• Pause during the reception to take in the scene of all your loved ones celebrating together
• Set a timeline that flows really well and minimizes dead space and sitting at dinner tables for long periods of time
• Create and enjoy a slideshow that shares the journey of your love story with all your guests

 

 

Written by Bella Sera Event Center owner – Elisabeth Montoya