Getting married is an exciting time in anyone’s life, but it’s also a lot of work. Weddings involve thousands of details that can make the planning process feel overwhelming. While it’s completely normal to stress over the little things (who cares if your napkins don’t match the colour of your bridesmaids dresses?!), over-thinking can often lead to unnecessary anxiety and frustration.
It’s important to remember that your wedding is about celebrating you and your partner. That’s why it’s so important to have a clear sense of purpose and vision for your day. This will help you to stay focused and make smart decisions about what is important for your unique wedding, and to avoid getting sucked into wedding fads and trends that may be short-lived.
This means being honest with yourself about whether your guest list or budget is realistic. If not, then it’s okay to nix some people. More than anything, you want your wedding to be a truly special and memorable occasion for your loved ones, so be sure to invite those who will elevate the day.
Similarly, be honest with yourself about your priorities and boundaries when it comes to inviting people. If you’re paying for the entire wedding or a significant portion of it, you’re probably not going to be able to invite everyone you know and love, which is totally okay. It’s just a good idea to be clear and upfront with your budget and headcount so that there are no surprises down the line.
Intimate weddings are all about making guests feel connected to the couple, which can be hard if you’re overflowing with people. Having a clear headcount will ensure that you’re able to give your guests the best experience possible and that it’s financially feasible for you and your partner. It will also prevent the awkward situation of someone feeling left out because they weren’t invited to your wedding.
It’s not uncommon for couples to put a lot of thought and effort into their wedding extras, like photo booths, beer burros, caricature artists, food stations, custom cocktails and live music. If you’re a guest, be sure to take advantage of these experiences and enjoy them to the fullest! It’s a great way to show the couple that you appreciate their efforts and that you are excited about their big day.
It’s also not acceptable to complain about your experience or the wedding extras that you were or weren’t able to partake in. Having an opinion is one thing, but complaining or gossiping will only cause stress for yourself and others. It’s much more fun to be positive and excited for the couple than it is to talk about how the chicken was tough or the band sounded cheesy. Plus, the last thing any couple wants to hear is that their guests were having a bad day!