Deidre and Jeremy decided on Sorano, Italy as the site for their whimsical destination. And really, it shouldn’t come as a surprise at all. It started off as a dream. A whisper. A whimsy. But once it started, it couldn’t be stopped. What was it? It was the feeling of connection. Of knowing you found what you were looking for. And in this case, that thing, was actually two things.

Deidre and Jeremy found each other, and it was clear from the get go that the connection was special. But there was another connection too – Deidre’s connection with Sorano, Italy. She had spent time in this beautiful Italian town, away from the busy hubbub of tourists, submersed in the local culture. And she fell in love. Naturally, these two loves were destined to meet.

Truthfully, I don’t think you could ask for anything more from a destination wedding. Yes, it’s nice to see all the touristy sites, but really getting to experience the culture of a place means going off the beaten path, staying in one place for a while, and getting to experience the way of life as the locals do.

Sorano is a small town, a few hours north of Rome. It is surrounded by lush vegetation, jagged hills, and the most amazing sunsets you can hope to find that bath the land in gold. This is a town full of Italians, many of whom speak only broken english at best, and is one of the places where Italians go for their holidays. The food is phenomenal, lifestyle is relaxed. Oh, and it also has the remains of a castle (fortezza)…which just happens to be the setting for the wedding.

The ceremony was held in the old moat of the fortezza. And if that sounds underwhelming…well, perhaps you just need to see it. And arch in the remains of a stone wall provides the backdrop for the ceremony, overlooking a gorgeous green valley. With the background of live music, it was a fairytale setting for a fairytale wedding.

The reception took place in the green space just beyond the fortezza, but inside the walls. And as the sun painted the sky, the most heartfelt speeches were being shared with the people most dear to Deidre and Jeremy in all the world.

After dancing the night away, we completed our time together with a Day After session the following evening. This gave us a chance to leisurely explore the town, taking advantage of the amazing scenery, lighting, and really soak in all that Sorano had to offer.

And it was beautiful.

The post ITALY DESTINATION WEDDING IN TUSCANY appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

I had a feeling this romantic Victoria wedding would be special. Having photographed Kristy’s sister’s wedding several year prior, I knew the family and loved my time with them. And this familiarity made it super comfortable for us all during the planning and engagement photos and then the wedding itself. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, then, at how perfectly their wedding would be. But the results…I’m so in love with how the images turned out.

INN AT LAUREL POINT

They chose The Inn at Laurel Point for the venue, and if you’ve ever walked around the Victoria harbour, you’ve definitely seen or walked right past it. It’s a gorgeous area, perfectly suited for a romantic stroll with your person. Perched right on the water, overlooking downtown, and with the most amazing penthouse suite with its 270 degree balcony, well, the venue was amazing. Rumour has it that Johnny Depp was in the room just a few days before the wedding.

The wedding ceremony was held outside on the terrace, overlooking a beautiful pond, against the backdrop of the ocean. And because their friends and family were travelling to be at the wedding, they chose to keep the wedding photo portion to a minimum on the wedding day so they could spend more time with their guests. The photos would wait until the following evening, when we ventured out for our After Photo session. It turned out to be a great decision.

The wedding ceremony and reception were all held at the Inn at Laurel Point. They partied until the DJ left, then took the energy back upstairs to the top floor balcony, where they celebrated with their guests into the wee hours.

AFTER SESSION MAGIC

This should be exhibit A for why you plan an after session! Victoria is a beautiful city, and there are no shortage of gorgeous locations to be found close by. We decided to venture a little farther away so we could find some secluded beaches for the After Session. And it worked out perfectly. The sunset was gorgeous, the beach was deserted, and we found a private little area to end the evening. This kind of session is usually not possible on the wedding day – travel time is a factor and crafting the day around the sunset doesn’t always work for an optimal guest experience. So when we can arrange for an After Session, the results can be magical. (read this for more info)

Now, we had discussed this in advance…I had an idea for a few photos, and wanted to see if they would be up for it. The idea: a post wedding skinny dip! There was no hesitation in their response either. “Sure – sounds great!” And so with nobody around, and the sun slowly setting into the water, they undressed and dipped their toes into the water. Turns out, in October, the water is ridiculously cold! The actual skinny dip turned into a frolic into the shallow water, but the photos turned out great!

So thankful for adventurous couples and their willingness to go along with my creative mind. And also so very thankful to have been able to spend time with these two amazing humans, and their friends and families.

SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THE GALLERY TO VIEW THE AFTER SESSION PHOTOS

The post ROMANTIC VICTORIA WEDDING appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

 
Fall was in the air, adding its changing color palette to this already stunning boho wedding. Gorgeous decor, amazing food, the liveliest guests, and the most beautiful couple. Maybe boho isn’t exactly right – perhaps eclectic is a better description. But whichever word you use, this was a wedding to remember.
 

OUTDOOR BOHO WEDDING PLANS

For Jacinta and Kyle, their plans were simple – an outdoor celebration with an emphasis on environmentally friendly choices, thrifty decor, lots of nature, and bringing together their large Ukrainian and Italian families. Their decor, sourced from garage sales and local second hand stores, added a cozy retro living room feel to their tent reception. They chose in season, locally sourced items for their menu. And they served the meal on recycled and compostable wood plates.
 
Their outdoor ceremony overlooked the lake and featured a mismatched collection of wooden chairs and straw bales covered in blankets as seating for their guests. The design of the backdrop for the ceremony was so original, so uniquely them, and was a perfect mix of vintage touches and boho rustic.
 

 
And yet, despite all the amazing design and decor, what stands out most is how warm and wonderful this couple was, and how they chose to think about their wedding day.
 

FAVOURITE WEDDING DAY MOMENTS

Jacinta’s favourite moment was during the ceremony by the lake, with the leaves rustling, and the sun peeking through the clouds. “It was the moment of the day where I could feel us the most. And despite standing in front of all our guests and loved ones, we had eyes only for each other, and nothing else mattered.”
 
Kyle had a different favourite moment. It was during their first look, which was held in the woods, a private moment all to themselves. ”The best way to describe how I felt in that moment was wonder and admiration. I just remember feeling extreme gratefulness and happiness.”
 

 

WHAT MATTERED MOST

I mean, these two really knew what mattered most, and talking afterwards it was clear that the ceremony and the significance of joining their lives together was the single most important part of the day…followed closely by being able to celebrate with their cherished friends and family.
 
“Kyle and I decided early on that no matter how the day went, we would remember the reason we were there, to be married and to be happy.”
 

 

VENDORS

Hair & Makeup – Behind the Blush
Wedding Dress – Rue de Seine from Bridal Boutique Calgary
Groom’s Suit – Henry Singer
Venue – John Dudar Park, Jackfish Lake (near Myrnam)
Marriage Commissioner – Brian Napier
Florals – Bethany Ann Flowers and Styling
Caterer – Twisted Sisters Kitchen
Deserts – Dutch Girl Sweets and Cakery
Leaf Plates and Napkins – Greenmunch
Videography – Shaun Scade
 

The post ECLECTIC BOHO WEDDING AT THE LAKE, RURAL ALBERTA appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

 
 
Hi Kelly!

I wanted the time to be able to sit down and write to tell you that you are very much appreciated as a friend and as a photographer. Our day together was fun and I had no doubt in my mind that we would love these photos. But, I’m going to say it anyway…

THEY ARE STUNNING. And we are in love with them. They make us smile and help to remind us of how we were, how we felt, our surroundings and the general mood of the day so perfectly.

I cannot believe how many you gave us…we quickly began showing them to everyone who was in high anticipation and who we thought would love to see them. They were a big hit and highlight of our weekend =)

Just so you can know how awesome you are, I would like to share with you some of the responses we got:

“Holy shit Jacinta, these are SERIOUSLY too good!!”
 
“Wow! These are so amazing! The dark skies!!”
 
“These are so incredibly fantastic.”
 
“Omg dude, these are UNREAL. You too look absolutely incredible!! How the hell are you gonna choose from all of these?”
 
“Fucking awesome. I can’t believe thats my beautiful girl.”
 
“These look like something out of a magazine!!”
 
“The colour!!!!”
 
“Oh my god. OOOhhh my goooood. OH MY GOD! They just keep getting more and more amazing.”
 
“Gorgeous photos!!! Just wonderful.”
 
“Omg – so so beautiful. He’s so good”
 
“Omg! These are UNREAL.”
 
“Omg these are fucking amazing!!!!”

And so many more amazing responses from the people we were actually with when we showed them. All of these comments sum up exactly how we feel about our photos. We couldn’t be happier.

~Jacinta and Kyle

The post KIND WORDS appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

 
Having a lakeside wedding in Sylvan Lake is a dream for many Albertans. It’s likely the most well known lake in the province, and boasts some of the best beaches and cabins around. And after their engagement, it took virtually no time at all for Jenna and Josh to reach the same decision! Jenna grew up going to the lake with her family; there were so many special memories and it just made sense having the wedding out there too.

LAKESIDE WEDDING IN SYLVAN LAKE

They planned an beachfront outdoor ceremony overlooking Sylvan Lake, and brought in a tent for the reception. The decor was amazing, the vendors were spectacular, and little did we know, Josh had a few surprises up his sleeve for the wedding day too. Talk about a groom going over and above to make this day the most memorable experience ever! More on that in a bit. First, we need to consider the weather.

The wind was starting to pick up in the morning. Just a little, but promising more to come. Normally that wouldn’t be an issue, but on this day, that wind could wreak havoc with the itinerary of events. It’s not every wedding that the groom plans to fly to the wedding ceremony in a float plane, after all. Too much wind, and the plane wouldn’t take off at all. Too much wind wasn’t actually the problem. Just a little wind, and the plane can take flight, but if the wind increased once in the air, landing on the lake near the ceremony location could be impossible, and the nearest airport was a 45 minute drive away. Needless to say, the weather was very much in some peoples thoughts that day.

CEREMONY ENTRANCE WITH STYLE

The plane took off, and despite a few frantic moments (mostly from the bride), the floatplane landed without a hitch and delivered Josh to the lakeside wedding ceremony unscathed and dry, much to the delight of the wedding guests who knew nothing of his plans! The ceremony was beautiful, and the sun was shining down on us all.

Photos followed, laughter ensued. And then back to the reception, whose outdoor bar was seeing brisk business. It was a beautiful evening, overlooking the lake and its amazing sunset. Shortly after the first dance, when the guests were really starting to let loose and enjoy themselves, Josh pulled out another surprise. Josh disappeared, and the next thing anyone knew, he was on stage playing a saxaphone! Nobody saw this coming, Jenna least of all! It was a rousing rendition, followed by some huge applause.

GROOM SURPRISES HIS BRIDE

And just when you thought the night couldn’t get any better, Josh put down the sax and moved over to the mic where he serenaded Jenna with a song, the one she actually wanted for her first dance! Josh had been planning this for months, taking lessons and practicing the song even before Jenna mentioned it as a first song candidate. Some subtle scheming saved the surprise, and Jenna nearly fell over from the shock! It was one of those moments you rarely see in person, and when you do, you realize you (and everyone else) is rapt with attention, to exclusion of all else!

Shooting a lakeside wedding in Sylvan Lake was also a dream of mine for years. I’m so so happy to have been included in this one, and to work with all the amazing vendors and see/meet all the wonderful people.

VENDORS

Dress – Dori, by Hayley Paige from The Bridal Boutique
Hair – Jami Cuglietta, Carrie’l Hair
Makeup- Mimi Make-up
Flowers – Calyx Floral Design
Caterer – Workshop Eatery
Cake – Sugar by Tracy
Band – The Flying Junque
Day of Coordination – Cocktails and Details
Rentals – Special Event Rentals

The post LAKESIDE WEDDING AT THE CABIN, SYLVAN LAKE appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

When we called the morning of the heli-session, the weather was unpredictable and was making our trip questionable. We were forced to modify the trip slightly due to the high winds, meaning we couldn’t make it up to the upper alpine meadows, but we still managed to jump in the helicopter and make the flight to some amazing and remote locations. Jacinta’s dress was amazing as the colors popped against the greenery, and was perfect for flowing with the wind. It was a wonderful evening of waterfalls and scenery, as I witnessed the amazing chemistry between these two. It truly was a wonderful experience. And I can’t wait to do it again!

The post ROCKY MOUNTAIN HELI-SESSION ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

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That was the first bit of advice a recent bride offered when asked about her thoughts on budgeting for a wedding. “At the start, it may feel a little like you are playing with Monopoly money, but that will change once all the invoices start rolling in.”
 

 
More newlyweds offered their thoughts as well on how to budget for your wedding, and how not to get into financial trouble doing so. You can read all their sage advice below. If you are looking for advice on where to start with your wedding planning, check out this article as well.

SET YOUR OVERALL BUDGET

“Figure a budget out early! And don’t buy things until you have your vision set. I bought things early on that I didn’t end up using”

Talk to you partner, and decide if you are going to pay for this wedding yourselves, or if you are going to get some help from your family. Communicate openly and be realistic with expectations. Have a ‘real world’ figure – one that you can live with, without over-extending.

“It isn’t worth going into huge debt for! And if you are lucky enough to have parents that want help, keep in mind that you should accommodate some of their wishes! It’s a big day for Mom and Dad too.”
 

PICK YOUR PRIORITIES

“Make a list of what’s most important to you and splash out on those. Realize that spending a bit more on what’s important is not always a bad thing, if you can cut costs elsewhere.”
Unless your funds are unlimited, you will most likely not be able to do EVERYTHING you want for your wedding. Choose the things that matter most to you, and focus your budget on finding the best vendors you can afford. It means you may need to be creative with other areas of the planning, but that’s okay. You’ll be happy with your choices if you do your homework upfront.
 

 

FANTASIES ARE EXPENSIVE

“Those ‘Pinterest perfect pictures’? Take everything on there with a grain of salt. We did get the odd idea from Pinterest, but I found that most of their wedding inspiration was very unrealistic and expensive.”
Expectations can quickly spiral out of control, and the inspiration boards on Pinterest and Instagram don’t always help. Find yourself getting jealous over the things you can’t have? Maybe it’s time to log off and focus again on what your priorities are when it comes to both the wedding, and your goals for living life once the wedding date has come and gone.

“It is SO easy to get swept up in the romantic care-free attitude to spending more and more. Come back to the original plan of what is really important to you both on your day. What do you really want to invest in, what will be most memorable?”

SECOND-HAND IS STILL NEW-TO-YOU

“Join Facebook groups for decorations! I wish I had done that before, now I’m selling my stuff for cheap on these groups!”
Not everything you want for your wedding needs to be brand new. In fact, there are a LOT of used options out there, as people are getting married all the time! Centerpieces? Decor? Unique items? In all likelihood, someone with a similar style to you is looking to sell some of their stuff.

“For the wedding dress – you truly will only wear that thing for a day. Also, bridal magazine sales are great for wedding dress bargains, and you can sell your dress afterwards to help you justify the spend.”

You may have different thoughts about buying used, or about considering using silk flowers vs real flowers, but there are options for every budget if you are willing to do your research and think outside the box.

CROWD SOURCING

“We had family and friends pitch in with their talents where they could. My mom’s best friend used to teach baking, so we asked if she could make our wedding cake. My cousin is an amazing artist, and so we asked if she could make our guestbook. One of my bridesmaids used to work in a flower shop, so she knew where to get the best flowers for the centerpieces at a very reasonable price.”

This is a great way to get your family and friends involved. Just be careful you aren’t simply taking advantage of people you love. If they use their talents for their profession, and even if they don’t, make sure you show your appreciation (with a gift, or something thoughtful). You may save money doing this, but don’t be cheap. “You can’t place a value on friendship, but you can ruin a friendship by undervaluing your friends.”

GUEST LIST

“If you don’t invite anyone out of a sense of obligation and only have the people you really want there, that’ll help a lot with the budget”
Will there be anyone at the wedding you will be meeting for the first time? Have you ever spent time with them in a social setting, or individually? Use these questions to help guide your decision to invite or not.

Inviting a lot of people, especially for large weddings, will chew through your budget faster than anything else. Make sure you have an open discussion with your family early on – the guest list can be a source of frustration for many couples, and will have a direct impact on the overall cost.

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR RSVP’S

“I wish I would had followed up with people who didn’t reply on our rsvp page. I texted some, I wish I would have called instead . We paid for over 20 plates of food for people who didn’t show and the venue didn’t offer a refund or even let us have any left-overs.”
There is nothing worse than wasting money, and paying for food for people who don’t show is incredibly frustrating. Pay special attention to who is coming and who is not. A good old spreadsheet works, but if you are looking for a more modern approach, check out this app.
 

 

DON’T CHEAP OUT ON THESE

“Do NOT be cheap for your photographer, when you’re looking back at your photos months later, you want to know you paid for the best quality! I am so glad we spent the money we did on our photos! In fact, don’t cheap out any vendors who have interaction with the guests”
Vendors who will be interacting with your guests will leave an impression that lasts beyond the wedding day. Carefully consider who you choose, and how you want your wedding day to be remembered.

In fact, here is the list of things that brides said you should NOT be cheap with:

• Venue
• Food/Alcohol
• Hair/Makeup
• Photographer
• Videographer

One other thing – many couples choose to save money by having a cash bar instead of an open bar. But I’ve heard from a lot of people who have regretted their decision to do so. (click here to read about the biggest regrets from brides on their wedding day) Instead of having a cash bar, consider having an open bar and including a donation jar for those guests who feel inclined to help out.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These 2 quotes really stood out as great advice, so let’s end with them.

“Spend on experiences that will create the best memories for you and your guests.”

And lastly…

“It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning, but at every step it’s a good idea to check that you’re still on budget. You may think you can put in a little more here and there, but that little more here and there can add up in the end.”
 

The post RECENT BRIDES OFFER BUDGETING ADVICE FOR YOUR WEDDING appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

It’s just that, well, you don’t want to trust just anyone to take your wedding photos. This is one job you may want to leave to the pros.
 

 
Full disclosure, I’m a wedding photographer. I’ve been shooting weddings for some time, so what I’m writing about here is based on the experience of meeting hundreds of brides and grooms, and photographing hundreds of weddings. In addition, I spoke with a number of newlyweds and have included their input as well. The result? The ultimate guide to helping you choose your wedding photographer.

WHERE TO LOOK

The best places to check will be Instagram and individual websites for photographers, which you’ll need to search for. Other good places to look will include facebook and pinterest, but don’t forget to ask for referrals from friends and family – word of mouth is a great time saver!

Or, you can also try this bride’s approach. “This may sound creepy, but we looked through stranger’s wedding photos on facebook”

(click here to read more on how to your perfect wedding vendor)

Using keywords like “[your city] wedding photographer” is helpful, but also try ‘best reviews’, ‘award winning’ and other combinations. You may want to go beyond the first page of google results – being a great photographer doesn’t necessarily mean you are great at SEO. And consider giving Google Images a try for your search – this can help in the early stages of determining a photographer you like, or a style you are drawn to.

For instagram, follow local hashtags like #[your city]weddingphotographer (or variations of this) to see what kind of work is being published. Instagram is a great way to see current photographers and the images they are creating.

Most couples look at well over 20 portfolios – in fact, I heard multiple time from people who reviewed over 100 different photographer portfolios in their search!

CHOOSING A STYLE

There are many different styles, with lots of descriptive words like documentary, traditional, fine art, dramatic, lifestyle, etc. Don’t get hung up on the name. Find some images that move you or a style that you feel strongly about, and that is what you should focus on. Look for photos that can make you feel emotionally connected to the people in the picture in addition to the style the photographer uses.

You may also want to give some thought to the photos that matter most to you. Do you like more candid photos, or posed? Are party photos your thing, or are you more interested in bridal portraits?
 

 

MEET IN PERSON

Finding a photographer with a personality that matches you is VITAL! In fact, this may be the single most important thing you look for when choosing a photographer. You could be spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than with your family and closest friends! Make sure that you can get along well with them.

“Wedding photography should really be about the personality and rapport with the photographer – they have the ability to bring out the best in you.”

How many should you contact? Many brides are reaching out to 5-7 photographers to discuss their wedding (sometimes more, sometimes less – your experience may vary). From there, they will often meet with 2-3 in person.

“My husband and I chose people that were like-minded to us. People that we would want to grab a beer with.”

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

When you meet with a potential photographer, most often you want to hear about how they shoot and how they get their great images. Here is a list of other questions you may consider asking. You are trusting them to capture your wedding photos – make sure they take the job seriously.

Describe how you work, how you operate during the wedding day?
What kind of preparation do you do in advance?
Do you work alone or with another photographer?
What kind of backup equipment do you have?
How are you storing the digital files – do you keep multiple copies both on and off site?
How long does it take to deliver the files?
Do you use a contract?
Do you have business insurance?
Who owns the rights to the photos?
What are the photographers plans for the photos when the wedding is over?
How much editing should you expect to be done to the photos after the wedding?

Also consider asking some event specific questions:

What do you think the lighting situation is going to be for my wedding (indoor, outdoor, time of day/year)?
Are you comfortable shooting in that kind of situation? Do you prefer available light or flash or both?
Can I see a sample wedding shot in a similar venue or situation as my wedding?

It’s one thing to find a great artist, but you also want someone who is a professional. Knowing that your images are being well cared for is nearly as important as how amazing they look. Ask anyone who’s photographer has lost images due to a corrupted card or a failed hard drive how important this stuff is.

PORTFOLIO REVIEW

Make sure you are looking at examples of full weddings, rather than just a portfolio of the photographers best photos. Look at several weddings, start to finish, to see how they handle each section of the wedding day.

And contrary to some people’s advice, you should allow yourself to get caught up in the emotion on display – this is exactly the type of reaction you want when you view YOUR wedding photos! Find someone who takes images that move you.

“Go with your gut feeling – this is one vendor that will most likely evoke an emotional response in you from their work, drawing you to their images, as it is their art.”
 

 

PRICING

Wedding photographers do not follow a set pattern for their pricing, and that can make it confusing to compare one photographer with another. Some have their pricing on their website, others will send the information to you upon request. Some photographers prefer an a la carte method, while others offer packages. There usually aren’t hidden fees, though some photographers may be less clear about what’s included.

Don’t be afraid to ask for something different if you don’t see it, such as different hours or alternative album choices. Having said that, in many markets there are only so many weekends that a wedding photographer can work, so if you are looking for reduced coverage for a saturday wedding in August, you may find some photographers are unwilling to negotiate on what will likely be a busy day for inquiries.

The first step? Make a list of what you really want (such as digital files, multiple photographers, engagement session, wedding album, number of hours of coverage) and ask for pricing specific to your needs. Be open and honest about these things and what you are looking to spend – no sense being coy as this isn’t a used car you are buying.

And consider this – in a recent survey of newlyweds, couples shared their biggest regrets, and not spending enough on a photographer was one of the most popular comments.

“Do NOT be cheap for your photographer, when you’re looking back at your photos months later, you want to know you paid for the best quality! I am so glad we spent the money we did on our photos!”

(click here for more budgeting advice for your wedding)

TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

One final thought here. For best results, find a photographer whose style you love, and then let them do their thing to capture your day in that style. Asking them to change or to be something they are not, to shoot differently than what they have shown you is a recipe for disappointment.

“Pick someone who has a style you love, don’t pick someone based on price and expect them to change how they shoot and edit, it won’t happen.”

By all means, discuss with them the photos that are most important to you. But if you need electrical work done around your house, you don’t hire a plumber to do the job just because their prices were lower.

“The most important thing that factored in for us was how we got along and that I could have complete trust in the photographer, that they had everything under control – they were prepared, knew a schedule for the day and kept everything going smoothly without me having to worry.”

A good photographer will calmly and quietly keep your day running smoothly, make the photography fun, and overall help make the day as wonderful as you hope it to be. Don’t settle for less.
 

The post ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER appeared first on Kelly Redinger | Photographer.

So, uh, what now? I mean, these parties don’t just plan themselves. Once the initial euphoria from your engagement wears off, you face the task of turning your dreams into reality. And holy moly, for a lot of people, planning your wedding is an overwhelming thought! But fret not, dear reader, for many couples before you have managed this task and they have wisdom they’d like to share.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Beginning the wedding planning process can be completely overwhelming. Likely this is your first wedding planning experience, and there is pressure to pull off the best/most creative/most amazing wedding ever! Pinterest is both the best and worst thing you can read when looking for inspiration, as those gorgeous venues/dresses/decor most often represent fantasies and dreams, not reality or affordability.

Perhaps the best place to start is by listening to couples who have recently gone through all of this. So I asked some past wedding clients what they thought. Not surprisingly, they all said the same thing: decide what you want before doing anything! And one bride summed it up perfectly:

“Figuring out what kind of wedding we wanted (destination vs local, big vs small, fancy vs simple) and what kind of budget we could work with – that was the first step.”

Now, trying to decide everything you want, heck, just trying to narrow down WHAT you want…it can be hard! What you need is some way to help focus your thoughts, to help winnow down the choices.
 

6 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Answering these 6 questions will give you a great start with your wedding planning.

Do you want a local wedding, a destination wedding, or an elopement?
Are you hoping for lots of people to attend, or just a select few?
Do you have a specific date in mind, or are you flexible?
Are you set on a specific venue/location?
Do you want to plan this wedding yourself, or do you want to hire someone to help you?
What kind of budget are you working with?

 
(you can also read this article for more advice about budgeting for your wedding)
 

 

PRIORITIES

Done? Good. Because now that you have narrowed down your options a bit, you can move on to the most important stage. What matter the most to you on your wedding day? Food? Photos? Fun? This is where you need to spend some time thinking, discussing, negotiating – this will set the course for all the decisions that follow.

Listed below are the priorities from recent couples who were willing to share what was important to them. Your priorities may well be different, and that’s great. What’s important is that you come up with a list of what matters to you.

(brides talk about their most memorable wedding day moments in this article)
 

BUDGETING

The real brain twister comes next – working with the budget you set earlier. Now is the time you can start doing some preliminary number crunching to see what you can afford, and what is out of the realm of possibility.
 
Trying to find the average cost of a wedding is a little like asking what kind of ice cream tastes better – everyone has an opinion, nobody knows for sure, and there really isn’t a single place that tracks this kind of info. However, we do have some guesses, and it may be surprising. What’s really interesting is seeing the difference between what people expect to pay, and comparing that with what most people end up actually paying. In many cases, couples start out with the belief that you should be spending around $10,000 for the entire wedding (look at this). And while it can definitely be done, it looks like an average wedding in Canada costs around $30,000 (sources here and here).

Even if you are being conservative in your estimate, weddings are costly, and staying on track once you have a budget in mind is one of the hardest things you will encounter. So what’s the secret to staying on budget? This advice might sum it up best:

“Determine the three things that are the most important to you and your fiancé and make sure you spend on these things, and be willing to cut from other areas that hold less importance to you to stay within budget and without missing out on what matters most.”

There are a few other suggestions that came up, such as managing your guest list, ditching traditions that don’t mean anything to you, and picking a few DIY projects rather than hiring professionals. Keep in mind that the things people spend the most on include food, venues, photography, engagement rings, and wedding dresses.
 

 

A FEW MORE TIPS

You should be set, now, to start researching your vendors and getting into the nitty gritty of your planning. And as you are going along, it may be worthwhile to keep these tips in mind.

PINTEREST: Be wary of Pinterest! As I mentioned, it is both the best and worst planning tool around. While it’s full of great inspiration, nothing will raise the expectations of your wedding faster than looking at all the amazing (and expensive) options available!

VENDOR SELECTION: Be particularly selective when dealing with vendors who will be interacting with your guests. It may be tempting to choose less expensive options for the major vendors, but in most cases there is a reason they charge more, and how they interact with your friends and family will be remembered long after your wedding day is over.

GUEST LIST: The Guest list will likely be a source of frustration. Discuss this early on with all the players (fiancé, family, etc) so you can gage who really needs to be invited, and who doesn’t. Perhaps you simply want to escape the process altogether and elope, or maybe your guest list includes everyone you have ever met. Choose what’s right for you, but be prepared for some negotiations, and having this conversation early can ensure you pick the right venue from the get-go.

Remember – the wedding day is supposed to be a magical day, but magical doesn’t have to mean ridiculously expensive or overly complicated. Keep sight of what really matters most to you. And keep in mind – the important part really is the exchanging of vows with your partner. The rest is just a big party.
 

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