looking back at our wedding, it really was a dream day. yes, i’m completely one of those women who grew up dreaming about what my wedding day would be like, but in the most healthy of ways, i like to think. i never wanted a “princess day” or anything too over the top, i just wanted it to be very special. when we got engaged i couldn’t wait to start planning  – i was so eager that i bought my wedding dress 5 days after we were engaged!

notoriously, weddings are very stressful to plan. i am decisive, but even for me, it was so overwhelming. so many options, so much money to spend, and so many ways that the whole thing can really add up. the entire process, especially the budget, totally stressed me out. in the hopes of saving you any added stress, i thought it would be fun to share a bit of our journey in the hopes of helping you maybe plan your big day!

define your priorities

we outlined things that were important to us right off the bat (me: videography, photography, flowers and venue. him: his tux, the music, me being happy). this helped us define which areas we wanted to spend on first.

set your budget – but be prepared for it to be fluid

we went into planning with a tiny budget – i thought it was adequate, but soon found out what things cost. i don’t think we had a super extravagant wedding, but we spent double what i thought we would. this brings up another good question – who pays for it? honestly, spending big chunks of money stressed me out a LOT, but i wish i would have just relaxed a bit more, because after the wedding, things always fall into place financially.

more budget talk

if you’re looking to cut costs for your wedding, keep your wedding party small, your guest list small, and decide where you want to spend, because little items add up really quickly (it’s ONLY $300… how many times did i say that?). my dress was literally $500 (i fell in love with it before i knew the price, cheap taste, i guess), so that normally larger expense, was very modest. our venue allowed us to bring in our own alcohol, so it was really affordable for us to hold an open bar (this was another must for me), since there were no surcharges and corkage fees associated. it’s also important to have a conversation with your fiancé about money – where is it coming from, and whose parents are contributing what. before you start planning, talk to your parents to get a grasp on the number so you can plan accordingly.

stay organized

i had a spreadsheet that i kept for all of the expenses and anticipated expenses, along with to-do’s so that i was always in the loop. this helped me feel in control. sharing my secret pinboard with my wedding party and vendors also really helped everyone see my vision ensuring there was no confusion.

be in the moment

as stressful as it can be, the planning process is over in a snap, so try to stay in the moment, especially the days leading up to the wedding. the two days before the wedding were spent at the fairmont pacific rim with my wedding party and mom to honestly just relax, and soak it in. i tend to get pretty a-type in times of stress, so this was essential for me. being organized, ensuring my to-do list was in the hands of others, made this possible!

day of coordinator is essential

the day (and even week!) of your wedding, it’s essential to hand the keys over to a planner or coordinator. the last thing you need to be worried about on your day is if the flowers are late, or setting up! spend the money here to make your special day exactly what it should be: about you and your new husband, not worrying about the details.

on-site prep

make sure both your photographer and videographer are familiar with the venue, and have visited several times. there are so many logistics to take into consideration that they will need to be informed of – where will you take your photos? what’s the lighting like? set them up for success so spur on the moment decisions don’t compromise the outcome.

drill down decor

choosing decor items is fun and all, but how do you know what will work together? i chose each item of decor, and in order for me to see that the look was cohesive, a mock-up table was essential. my decor company, florist, and planner all came together to show me a mock set up (about two weeks before the wedding), and we made some last minute changes to accommodate my taste.

the day after

we had a lot of family in town for the wedding, and i wanted to spend more time with them, so after a leisurely morning in bed, we had a huge afternoon event at my in-laws who hosted anyone who wanted to join. that day was super special because it allowed us to visit with our family since the wedding was such a whirlwind.

vendor info

photography: sweet life photography
videography: capture the moment
invites and stationery: love by phoebe
blooms: the flower factory
tablesettings: pedersens rentals
catering: the lazy gourmet 
decor rentals: éclat decor
assisting with planning: countdown events
cake: sweet bake shop
wine:  la stella
sparkling: steller’s jay brut
table linens: taffete designs
hair: chris funk
makeup: emily cheng
hotel: fairmont pacific rim
venue: hycroft mansion
as seen in: real weddings magazine