Studio Ostendo operates in multiple creative fields including photography, design, and education.
Do you know when you want to get married? Are you getting married in the Midwest or in Idaho? Have you looked into any venues yet? What will your colors be? What kind of dress do you want? Have you made any appointments? Are you stressed about wedding planning? What are you going to do first?
The list goes on. Planning a traditional wedding requires couples to make a LOT of decisions. So many, in fact, that Kaleb and I joked about eloping at one point in the process. (…and I’m sure some of you have felt the same!)
As we talk with couples about their weddings, we often end up counseling them on different parts of the process, simply because we’ve been a part of a LOT of weddings. To ease the process, we compiled our top tips for making wedding decisions!
Just like renting an apartment or buying a house, you may not get everything exactly the way you want in every aspect of your wedding. People often say that relationships are all about compromise, and that starts in wedding planning!
When decisions seem overwhelming or difficult, make a “must-have” or “top priority” list. Write down 2-3 of the most important things (and don’t forget to include your spouse-to-be’s wishes OR have the conversation together).
Deciding on a venue — outdoor ceremony, ceremony & reception in same location, and big windows in the reception hall
Deciding on a wedding dress— price reflects my budget, shows off my best feature (which is x), and I can definitely dance in it
Regardless of the size of your budget, decide which aspects of your wedding day are the most important to you and your spouse-to-be. Spend your money on the things that matter to you! When you have a realistic idea of the amount of money you will and won’t spend on certain things, some of your options can be eliminated. On the flip side, when you know something is on the top of your priority list, you may be able to reallocate your budget to make it happen!
In another blog post, we explain a system for stress-free wedding planning using a wedding planning calendar. (Find it HERE!) Having deadlines for certain decisions to be made helps you stay decisive and keep the planning process moving.
Hire a planner and/or find people you trust to help you make decisions. If you’re nervous about handing over that responsibility and control, start with small decisions that aren’t at the top of your priority list.
One of my favorite examples was a decision my brother and sister-in-law made for their wedding day. They weren’t sure how to choose wedding colors, so they asked Kaleb to help. Because he’s a graphic designer and artist, choosing colors is one of his many areas of expertise! They told him one or two of their favorite colors, and trusted him to create a color scheme for their wedding that fit their personalities AND looked incredible.
Happy decision making!
Wedding photography is my heartbeat. For me, it holds the perfect tension between creativity and authenticity, observation and connection. In front of my camera clients transform to friends, and behind it you'll usually find me tearing up, cheering you on, or holding my breath because of the raw goodness of the moment at hand.
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