Wedding Planning 101: The Brutally Honest Edition
We got married in September 2024, and it was truly one of the best days of my life! Everything came together beautifully, and I wouldn’t change a thing. You can check out the recap here. But, can I be brutally honest? Planning a wedding was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! Anyone who’s been through it knows that preparing for the big day takes months of work, stress, and more money than you’d ever expect.
Speaking of money, one thing I wish someone had told me before I started planning is just how expensive weddings are in 2024. I had no idea! Even for a small, modest wedding, you’re looking at spending at least $30,000 to $50,000. And that’s not for some extravagant, magazine-worthy affair, that’s just the basics. Being in my early 30s, I can’t even imagine how difficult it would have been to afford a wedding in my 20s!
I’ll never forget our first venue visit. It was my dream venue—everything I had pictured—but when I saw the price tag, I was crushed. Even if we could’ve stretched our budget, it just didn’t feel right to spend that much on one day. We almost booked our second-choice venue, but once again, the numbers didn’t work out. And let me tell you, these venues are booked solid! If you don’t have the cash, they’ll easily find someone else who does. In the end, we chose a different venue, and I’m so glad we did! It really reinforced for me that it’s not worth overspending for just one day—there are plenty of beautiful options out there that won’t break the bank.
If you’re footing the bill for your wedding, I feel for you. The sticker shock from vendors is real. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced or imagined. And if your family or parents are contributing, that can add a whole new layer of pressure. My advice? Assume from the start that you’ll be paying for everything yourself. That way, if you do get any help, it feels like a bonus rather than an expectation.
Here’s my brutally honest take for anyone out there planning their wedding. Keep scrolling to read about my key takeaways, tips and lessons I learnt…
Key Takeaways:
The Beginning is Rough. Those first few weeks of wedding planning can be overwhelming. It’s a significant life event, and it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and stress. Take things slow and don’t let the initial chaos discourage you. You’ve got this!
Finding your Wedding Dress. You might think you know exactly what you want, but trust me—you’ll probably end up with something completely different! When shopping, remember to consider how the dress looks in both photos and videos. What dazzles in person might not translate as well on camera. That little tip helped me find the one—and it could help you too!
Things Will Go Wrong—and You Need to Let It Go. Some things will not go according to plan, and that’s okay! Don’t let the little mishaps ruin your day. Focus on the moments that matter!
You Will Recoup Some Wedding Costs. While wedding planning can feel financially overwhelming, keep in mind that you’ll likely recover some of your expenses through thoughtful gifts from guests. So, while it’s important to stick to your budget, don’t stress too much about the total cost—some of your investment will come back to you in meaningful ways!
Prepare for Disappointment—But Don’t Take It Personally. Big life moments tend to reveal people’s true colours. Not everyone will show up in the way you expect them to, and that can hurt. Remember who supported you, and don’t let the ones who didn’t affect your joy. Some people never learned how to lift others up, but that’s on them—not you!
Ask for Help. One of the most important pieces of advice I can offer is to ask for help! As I mentioned, wedding planning can be overwhelming, and it’s impossible to do everything on your own. Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to friends, family, or even hire professionals. Remember, it takes a village, and your loved ones want to be there for you, so let them!
19 Things I Learned from Our Wedding:
- Take Care of Yourself. I was under the weather a week before the wedding, and I never get sick! If you’re somebody prone to cold sores, styes, etc, again, be careful. Take time off before and after the big day to recharge!
- Everyone Has Opinions—But It’s About You and Your Partner. You’ll hear TONS of opinions, but at the end of the day, your wedding is about you and your partner. Stay true to what you want.
- Space Out Your Payments. Don’t let the costs overwhelm you—try to space out your payments over time, so you’re not hit with a massive bill all at once.
- Hire a Content Creator or BTS Person. This was a game-changer for us! Having someone capture behind-the-scenes moments let us relive the day instantly, without waiting months for the professional photos. Plus, there are moments you’ll probably “blackout” from excitement, and the content is priceless to look back on. If you take anything from this blog post, let it be this tip, you won’t regret it!
- Planning a Wedding Is a Full-Time Job. Stay organized. Wedding planning is no joke—it requires time, energy, and a lot of patience. I made countless lists so I never missed a task!
- Hair Extensions Are Key. Those dreamy Pinterest wedding hairstyles? Don’t be fooled! They often involve hair extensions. You don’t need a ton, but adding a row for fullness can make a big difference.
- Keep Your Nails Simple. I initially went for fancy bridal nails, hated them, and had to redo them. Less is more!
- Keep Your Wedding Small. The smaller and more intimate, the better. You’ll have more meaningful moments with your guests, and it’s much less stressful.
- Print Out Your Wedding Timeline: Make sure to print multiple copies of your wedding day timeline for vendors, wedding party, and family on the day of your wedding. It ensures everyone knows the plan and helps to keep things on track!
- Hire a Day of Coordinator. I know, hiring a full-on wedding planner can be pricey. But if there’s one thing I highly recommend, it’s having a Day of Coordinator! It’s a game-changer when it comes to making sure everything runs smoothly on your big day. The last thing you want is to worry about logistics or have your family running around handling things. Let a pro take care of it so you can truly enjoy every moment! Plus, they often come with great vendor recommendations and discounts. We used the incredible Day By Knight Events.
- Get Your Teeth Cleaned: Schedule a professional cleaning before the wedding. You’ll be smiling a lot, and you want those pearly whites to shine.
- Dance Lesson & Shortened Song. If you’re thinking about your first dance, consider taking a dance lesson! Trust me, we would’ve been lost without it and probably bore our guests to death! You don’t need a fully choreographed routine, but feeling comfortable and having a few moves up your sleeve beats swaying back and forth for three minutes! Also, don’t feel pressured to dance to the entire song. A shorter, choreographed dance keeps things fun and engaging!
- Natural Makeup Over Full Coverage. I decided to skip the foundation and go for a more natural look—and I’m so glad I did! It made me feel like myself on the big day. My tip? Keep your makeup true to who you are, so you feel comfortable and confident. Also, don’t forget to book a hair and makeup trial! It’s the best way to make sure everything looks and feels perfect for your wedding day.
- Prep Your Skin. Speaking of makeup, when it comes to your wedding day glow, skincare is key! In the weeks leading up, watch your diet, drink plenty of water, and treat yourself to a facial. I got a Hydrafacial from my go-to spot, Organic Glow Medical Aesthetics, and it made my skin flawless for the big day. Make sure your skin is as ready as you are!
- Skip the Reception Dress. I know second (or even third) wedding dresses are all the rage right now, but honestly, I didn’t find it necessary. After all the effort of finding the perfect dress—and let’s be real, they’re expensive!—why not stay in it and enjoy every moment? Embrace your beautiful gown for the whole day!
- Use a Wedding Website for Invites. Save money and make things easier by sending your invites through a wedding website. It simplifies the process and helps you track RSVPs. We used theknot.com, and it worked perfectly! Highly recommend going digital.
- Make that ring shine. Take your engagement ring in for a cleaning a few days before the big day, so it’s sparkling for those close-up photos!
- Don’t be too critical of your wedding photos. When you first receive your photos, it’s easy to focus on small things and not like the way you look. Try not to be too hard on yourself! Give it some time, and you’ll find that over time, you’ll love them more and more. We often set such HIGH expectations for our wedding photos, but remember, they capture the real, beautiful moments of your day.
- Pee Facing the Toilet in Your Wedding Dress. Had to end with this one! 😂 This might sound funny, but trust me, it’s the easiest way to handle bathroom breaks when you’re in a big gown! You’ll thank me later lol.
Vendor Highlights:
Flash and Frame: Having Flash and Frame Photo Booth at our wedding was one of the best decisions we made! Our guests absolutely loved it. It added such a fun element to the day and provided entertainment that everyone could enjoy, no matter their age. We went with the black-and-white Glam Booth and the 360 Video Booth, and they were both huge hits. What I loved most was that guests could take as many photos and videos as they wanted, creating lasting keepsakes from the wedding. If you’re considering adding something extra to your wedding, I highly recommend using Flash and Frame Photo Booth! You can check out the reel here.
Floral Therapy: Our florist truly knocked it out of the park with our wedding flowers! I was going for that perfect balance—not too structured, but also not too wild—and she totally understood the vision. The arrangements were effortlessly beautiful, blending just the right amount of elegance and natural charm. One of my favorite details? We were able to repurpose the gorgeous florals from our ceremony arch for the head table at the reception. It was the perfect way to extend their beauty throughout the day and get the most out of our florals!
Delta Hotel Grand Okanagan Resort: We girls got ready in the Sunset Suite at the Delta Hotel, and it was perfect for the bridal party! The suite had stunning views, amazing natural lighting, and plenty of space for the hair and makeup team to work their magic. It made the getting-ready process so much more relaxed and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great spot to prep with your bridesmaids, I highly recommend booking the Delta Hotel’s Sunset Suite!
Sasha Photography: Sasha joined us at the Delta to capture our ‘getting ready’ moments, and let me tell you, she was amazing! I was so busy that morning, I didn’t have time to oversee anything—but she took care of it all! Her eye for detail was spot on, making sure we got every shot we needed. She was incredibly flexible, seamlessly adapting to the busy schedule, and she got the photos back to me in record time. I highly recommend her photography services!
Minted Photography: A huge shout-out to Lyndsay for being our incredible main wedding photographer! She was so thoughtful throughout the entire process and had an amazing turnaround time for delivering our photos. Her clear communication and friendly energy made everything so much smoother. I highly recommend her if you’re looking for a wedding photographer!
Deena Laura Co: We absolutely loved our desserts from Deena Laura Co! We went with a simple yet elegant white wedding cake, featuring fresh-cut strawberries between each layer and “Just Married” handwritten on top. It was exactly what we envisioned, understated and sophisticated. Deena also made the most delicious mini cupcakes that were a huge hit with our guests! I’m always thrilled to support small businesses like hers, and she truly delivered.
Bridesmaids Dresses – If you’re looking for beautiful, affordable options, I highly recommend Azazie! They offer hundreds of styles and colours, so it’s easy to find something that fits your vision and budget. My bridesmaids and I were so happy with the dresses we chose—they looked stunning! You can check them out here!
Final Tip:
Planning a wedding is a journey, but it’s worth it when you walk down that aisle! Just make sure to stay grounded, take care of yourself, and remember that your day is about celebrating your love—not about perfection or a performance.
Happy planning, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!
-Jenna xoxo