There’s a lot of advice out there for new brides-to-be! And it can be difficult to decide what advice to take and what to ignore. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all of the advice you’ve been reading and receiving, we’re taking time today to turn wedding plan myths on their head and instead give you 10 wedding planning truths!

Let’s go!

You can wear what you want.

It’s 2022, and the notion that only white dresses and black tuxes should be seen at the altar is something we don’t have time for! 

As you and your partner begin shopping for your wedding day attire, be empowered by the fact that you both can wear whatever you want. Bold colors in a wedding dress? Tuxedos for both partners? A mixture of both – whatever you want – we can’t wait to see it!

There is no one you have to invite

There’s pressure put on couples to invite people who may have invited you to their wedding but let’s set the record straight. There is absolutely no rule that says you have to invite everyone who invited you to their wedding. This is your day and your budget, so choose your guests wisely.

We would like to note that it’s customary that long-term partners (or spouses) of the bridal party and immediate family are invited. Aside from that, any additional guests are at your discretion, should not be pressured upon you to invite, and can be decided based on whether or not there is space and if you have any sort of relationship with the significant other.

A talented friend is different than a professional

This is especially relevant when it comes to choosing a photographer. Just because you have a friend who takes impressive holiday photos doesn’t mean they’re prepared or skilled to capture your wedding day. 

For someone who is used to portrait photography vs wedding photography, it is a whole different ball game. It is the worst when we hear a story of someone going with a friend and some of the most significant moments in the day were missed because the photographer was not prepared for all the different moments of deciding what truly to focus on. There is a lot going on at weddings. And having pros that have done this time and time again, know how to think on their feet, and anticipate the day is very important. 

Mixing business with friendship can sometimes also have disastrous endings, so tread carefully when considering hiring friends as vendors. Lastly, consider the fact that hiring a friend may take away from their experience of celebrating this day with you!

You don’t have to be engaged for a year.

There is no rule that says you need to wait at least 365 days before you wed. Your timing should be based on your personal preferences and your lives. 

And just a fun fact, Rebekah, was only engaged for 2 weeks before walking down the aisle. 2 WEEKS🙉. Granted, she’s a pro. And in the midst of COVID it made it pretty simple to plan a wedding with their 10 closest friends, and family. 

We’ve helped couples plan 2 years in advance all the way to 2 months. Of course, extra time to prepare is helpful, but if you don’t have it (or don’t want to wait,) don’t be deterred! 

You can have an uneven bridal party.

​​This is your wedding. And if your future husband only wants his brother at his side on his wedding day while you want all five of your best friends, that’s ok. 

Adding people to your wedding party unnecessarily racks up costs, so include only those you feel are necessary. Some couples even choose to nix the bridal party altogether!

The perfect wedding does not mean debt.

You do not have to start your married life with mountains of debt just so that you can have a magazine-worthy wedding. 

Decide what’s most important to you as a couple, and allocate your budget accordingly! This also means deciding on what a “perfect wedding” means to you. Is being surrounded by all your friends and family high on the list? Is having an intimate experience with just you and your hubby your main priority? There are so many ways to make your perfect wedding come to life without falling into debt. 

Not everything has to be perfect.

If you would prefer not to drive yourself mad before your wedding day, leave perfection at the door. 

Your wedding doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect for it to be special and memorable. Walk into this season embracing the fact that not everything will go according to plan! And make sure to plan some self-care days to help you manage the frustrating days. 

Doing it your way isn’t the only way (aka say no to DIY sometimes)

While DIY is a great way to save money, it isn’t always the best route. 

Sometimes it’s better to pay a professional to assist you with aspects such as your cake, catering, and even some of your decorating. Decide from the start some important projects to take on – that you know you can execute the way you want to – and then get to work finding the vendor who can specialize in the rest! 

Wedding planners are not only for the Kardashians.

Another common misconception is that wedding planners are too expensive. This causes most couples to opt out of the option before even doing their research!

The truth is, wedding planners come in all shapes and sizes. And you’ll be surprised at how well the right one may be able to fit into your budget. Not to mention that having someone else on your team to help out with the planning can help you greatly reduce all the overwhelm, stress, and second-guessing that is a common occurrence in this season. 

Are you curious about more ways a wedding planner can help bring your big day to life? Click here to book a consult call with us! 

There is nothing you have to do

If you walk away with anything from this blog, let it be this: there is nothing you HAVE to do when it comes to your wedding. 

Yes, there are wedding etiquettes, opinions, and things you may initially want. But this moment is for you and your partner at the end of the day. So what’s important to you both? What will make you look back on this day and smile? 

That’s all that matters. 

Want some more support as you venture into wedding planning season? Doors to The Wedding Planning Course are currently open, and it’s just the thing you’re looking for. With detailed modules, resources, group support, and Live Q+A with RDE’s CEO + Head Designer, Rebekah, you’ll be able to say goodbye to the stress and overwhelm that once came with DIY wedding planning. Click here to register.