Here’s the scene: You got engaged and plan on celebrating your nuptials in three months (or less!). Between dealing with vendors, finding the perfect wedding dress and filling up your Pinterest boards with DIY wedding ideas you can make in a weekend, things are about to get a little crazy. But don’t panic yet! Whitney Davis, wedding planner extraordinaire at Lily & Oak, an event planning service that takes a couple-centered approach to everything for your big day, has some fab advice for couples who are tying the knot in a very short amount of time. Today, she’s sharing with us the first steps you should take after getting engaged, how to prioritize and her favorite resources for inspiration and DIYs for any couple.
What are the first steps a couple should take after getting engaged?
“Take some time to celebrate! While you may feel like you need to dive right into planning, especially if you are planning on having a fairly tight timeline, take a day or two to revel in that newly engaged bliss. Pop the bubbly, share your good news with family and friends and spend some intentional time together before all of the wedding planning craziness begins. After a few days of celebration, sit down together and talk with each other about what matters most to each of you as you begin to plan your big day. Focusing on the parts of the wedding that mean the most to each of you will help you naturally prioritize as you begin to plan.”
When planning a wedding in three months or less, what should couples prioritize getting done?
“Prioritizing is key when you’re planning a wedding in three months or less. It may feel overwhelming, so concentrate on the largest details first. The very first thing to do is secure your venue and make sure that your date is available. Once your date is secured, immediately order the save the dates so your friends and family have plenty of time to ensure that they can attend. I would suggest contacting your wedding vendors quickly. There is a chance that the florist you’ve had in mind is already booked for your date, so take that as an opportunity to ask them for recommendations. Also, consider talking with an event planner. When you’re planning an event with a tight deadline, it can help to leverage a planner’s resources. They can also help you determine and manage your budget and keep you on schedule, all while taking away some of the stress.”
What are three main things you think couples should keep in mind when they are on a tight timeline?
“Remain flexible, take time out for yourself and keep your priorities in mind. At the end of it all, you’re getting married to the love of your life and that is what matters most. When planning a wedding on a tight timeline, there are a lot of decisions that you need to make quickly, and you may have to resort to your Plan B or Plan C due to time constraints. The healthiest thing you can do is to find small ways to manage the stress. We often advise our couples to have date nights at least once a month. Use this time to relax and focus on talking about all the plans and dreams you have for after the wedding.”
Can you tell us a few of your favorite DIY touches that couples can make for their special day to make it memorable?
“At Lily & Oak, we are all about those memorable touches that exemplify what makes you as a couple special. Take some time to talk about what hobbies and interests motivate you and flavor your relationship. Are you avid travelers? Have guests sign a globe as the guest book! Music lovers? Make a CD of your favorites as a party favor. These details are simple but add personality to your wedding day.
We also love seeing couples pay homage to their heritage in small ways throughout their wedding day. Talk to your parents and grandparents and ask them to tell you the story of their wedding day. One of the simplest touches that can make a huge impact is using items passed down from generation to generation. Whether it be wearing your grandmother’s veil or pearl studs or simply printing out relatives’ wedding portraits and displaying them, create those moments of meaning and create new memories for your family to enjoy.”
What are the best resources available to brides to be?
“Oh, the wonders of the internet! From Pinterest to wedding blogs, there are hundreds of websites to inspire you, however it can also be overwhelming. In addition to online inspiration, take cues from your own life and relationship. When Alex and I got engaged, my mom gave us a journal to write the reasons we love each other. If you focus on your own love story, you can’t go wrong.”
What is the ONE THING you wish you could tell all brides to be when planning a wedding in a short amount of time?
“Keep things in perspective! Your wedding day is meant to be a joyful celebration of your marriage. It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the details and to stress out about making sure every detail is picture perfect, but after the party, you get to spend the rest of your lives together and that’s the part that really matters!”
Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know your tips and advice when planning a wedding!
(Photos via Lily & Oak)
