DIY wedding planning
Let’s start celebrating….and planning!
This is a very exciting and important season worth celebrating and soaking in. You probably found this because you just got the bling and the immediate next thought was “How do I plan a wedding!? Where do I start!?”
Welcome bride, you’re in good company!
Whether you’ve been to a bunch of weddings or only a few, attending a wedding and being the Bride are obviously VERY different and come with a lot more responsibilities than one may think. As someone who has been to a handful a weddings but knew little about planning one, (and is a type A planner) ), I spent much time researching and scrolling for the best planning tips and tricks for my own wedding.
Hence my reason for creating Inspiring The Bride. I wanted current and future brides to have a central place to seek guidance, inspiration, and resources to make your DIY wedding planning joyful and stress-free (as it can be). Additionally, I hope to create a community where brides can share practical tips, offer ideas, and ultimately be encouraged (without the danger of comparison… more on that later).
So I hope this excites you as much as it excites me to share with you all that I learned through planning my own wedding and being a Wedding Videographer (in case you were looking for one.
To start off some key reminders and encouragements:
This is a special and unique season-soak it up and celebrate! As overwhelming and pressing as the planning may seem, leave time and space to celebrate with your Fiancé, family, new family-to-be, and friends! Have a party, a intimate dinner, or visit individually to spend time getting to know both families more (if that is important to you and possible). The sweetness of sharing excitement with people you love it a great blessing and gift.
Your dream wedding doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest wedding..
I know you’ve got your Pinterest board, screenshots, and saved reels-and there’s nothing wrong with that! I did too! However, in situations like mine having the Pinterest dream wedding and everything I saved didn’t fit in the budget..and it was still perfect for us! It came down to prioritizing what we wanted the most and what elements or decor were truly important. So don’t feel like your wedding has to look like everyone else’s or be exactly the way your Pinterest boards convey. It’ll be beautiful no matter what!
DIY wedding planning
No matter the budget there are ways to make it special, unique to you, and memorable.
Whether you have a bigger budget or not there are so many options for how your wedding day can be shared and celebrated in a special way. Now some real talk: budget weddings come with sacrifices. There are compromises and tough decisions to be made, but trust me it will all still work out in the end. Nobody will think there is something missing if you couldn’t have it, or point out how other weddings usually do this. This is your Fiancé’s and your special day, only what you want and can afford matters. We will talk much more about this another time!
This season is not marriage, continuing pursuing and learning about your Fiancé.
Don’t jump ahead and fall into the act of being married yet! As sure and permanent as engagement may seem, it’s not always. Not to be a buzz kill, but to give you some more real talk: engagement is still an evaluation season. This season allows for many more deep conversations and future thinking that may reveal big things you may not have known before. It’s important to keep learning about your Fiancé, having conversations that focus on how your future may look, and figure out if you are truly ready to join in this covenant commitment for the rest of your lives…woah..deep, I know.
Don’t let this scare you, however, this is just to open your eyes and remind you to not skip over any red flags in this season!
Side note: premarital counseling is a MUST! Find a couple you look up to and trust, or have a pastor through your church counsel you. As they have much more insight and can help lead you to good conversations and guide you through potential conflict and areas in need of compromise. Ok stepping off that soap box for now..
Take it one step at a time.. and follow a timeline that works for you.
Even though the world seems to have all these rules and regulations when it comes to timing of sending invitations, having a bridal shower or bachelorette..it’s only a suggestion. Now there are common curtsies and etiquette I still recommend and followed, but much of it is optional and flexible based on your timeline and life situations. Know that even if your timing is off (as mine was at times) it’s ok, and no one is going to notice.
I hope these encouragements and reminders give you a fresh perspective as you head into this season or a renewed perspective as you continue in it. Feel free to always take and leave what works and applies to your situation. I know there is no one type of bride. Each of you is a unique and beautiful bride with different styles and preferences, which makes each wedding day special to each couple!
Thank you (if you read this far) for joining me on this new journey of inspiring brides, and I hope you will find this helpful , encouraging, and enjoyable as you learn and plan.
Congratulations again Bride,
In Joy
DIY wedding planning
