I spent 100 hours on wedding Pinterest so that you don’t have to (part 1)

So I used to work for a wedding venue as a wedding coordinator, now I run their social media as a freelancer. It’s a pretty good gig, but it does require me to know all the latest wedding trends, color schemes, etc. This is part one of my series on wedding tips & tricks, and a few cheeky pieces of knowledge to help you plan your special day. Please note: THIS IS NOT PAID FOR BY THE VENUE I FREELANCE FOR, I’M JUST TRYING TO BE YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD WEDDING HELPER. Now that’s out of the way, here we go.

1. Narrow down that guest list, if you haven’t spoken to them for a year consider them off your list. If you’re a millennial like me, you have hundreds of friends on Facebook, they don’t all need to be at your nuptials, and considering what weddings are costing these days, you would be better off with a smaller guest list, unless, of course, it would inappropriate for cultural reasons.
2. You’re going to want a really good photographer. Trust me, it’s worth the money to get some stunning candid shots of your special day.
3. Color scheme, color scheme, color scheme. Trust me this will help narrow down everything from your bridesmaids’ dresses to your flowers and tablecloths. Unfortunately, this is something that you will have to choose for yourself, but if you want my opinion on what’s the trendiest thing for 2022, it’s called terracotta, and it’s really pretty.
4. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT!!! Let anyone bully you into something you don’t like. As someone who avoids confrontation to a nearly unhealthy level, do as I say, not as I do. If you don’t like the florals, tell the vendor. If you have your heart set on a knee-length dress but your mother in law says it wouldn’t be appropriate, please for the love of sunshine, ignore them and do what you want. The last thing you want is to look back on that day and realize that you’re really unhappy with some aspect of it. Do what brings you joy, it’s your day.
5. If you have the time/resources, DIY is not a bad way to go. Additionally, a good way to motivate your bridal party is wine, lots of wine, and crafts, and even if they don’t turn out like the Pinterest guru’s said they would, you still have all those memories (unless you had a wee bit too much wine), and you only spend $30 on supplies (bonus points for a BYOW).
6. Liquor, oh the dreaded liquor. If you find yourself at a venue that does Special Occasion Permits with you bringing in your own liquor, I highly recommend limiting the variety of liquor you’re supplying. Unopened bottles can be returned to the LCBO for a full refund, but if your uncle Terry wants a 80 year old scotch and only has two drinks, you’re still on the hook for that entire bottle. One thing I have seen trending recently is doing beer & wine only, which definitely helps to reduce liquor cost, as does limiting shots to wedding party only.
7. Games games games! Weddings can be long, and not everyone feels comfortable dancing (especially if you’ve taken my advice and decided to opt out of shots for all), so pick up (or build) a cornhole game, or scoop up one of the very trendy giant Jenga games. These are perfect for getting people up and out of their seats, as well as make for some pretty great candid photos.
8. Late night snacks. We all love snacks, and anyone who says they don’t is lying. That is simply factual and I will be happy to discuss the merits of snacks at a later time. If you can’t find a vendor that will supply you with late night snacks (moving forward known as LNS), ask the venue if you’re able to order pizza/subs/etc. to meet your snacking needs.
9. Should you get a second dress? Let’s face it, not all wedding dresses are the most comfortable things to keep on, particularly for up to 10 hours. Grooms, same thing applies to you, I see you taking off your tuxes mid-reception. My recommendation; have a backup outfit, and don’t spend a fortune on it. A cheap white sundress is the perfect thing to switch into if you decided to opt for a floor length gown, and will still look stunning for those wedding photos!
10. Polaroid cameras. I have a love-hate relationship with these. They’re expensive, and refills on the film can set you back quite a bit, but dang do they look great. Especially paired with a wooden board with twine draped across it and some dollar store clothespins for hanging post-photoshoot photos. Do with that information what you will.
11. If possible, find a venue that either includes decorations in their cost OR find one that’s beautiful as is (barn, greenhouse, forest-vibes — I’m looking at you, fellow cottagecore friends) so that you don’t have to worry about bringing in a tonne of drapery.
12. Timeline is important. All venues and vendors will give you a timeline of how long you have them for, keep track of these (wedding journals can be a lot of fun to have- everyone loves stickers & feeling organized, and they also make great keepsakes post-wedding). Make sure you know what time you can start bringing in decor to your venue, as well as when your caterer or decorator will be bringing in all the stuff that will transform the space.
13. Small budget but can’t elope or cut out a reception? Cut down that guest list, limit drinks to beer & wine (or just not-great sparkling wine, I don’t think anyone will notice or care) and opt for a morning/brunch event. While you may see this and immediately raise your haunches, first know, I see you and I understand. But seriously, morning events mean a cheaper venue, more affordable catering, and a whole afternoon in which you can either lie in bed with your beloved, or you can rally the troops to a local bar where, you guessed it, they can pay their own tabs. If you’re worried that your friends/family will be disappointed, I hear you, but if they’re only coming for bottomless shots, than maybe they shouldn’t be there. Please refer to point #4 for clarification.

If you’ve made it this far, first off, thank you and I hope you’re having a wonderful day, but let me know if there are any other ideas/questions you would like addressed in my part two.

Happy wedding planning!

Kate.