How to Plan a Meaningful Wedding or Elopement Day
There is a lot of advice out there on how to plan a wedding. Here are the top six things that I believe will help you plan a meaningful and fulfilling wedding day with your person.
xxHaley
Pick a Location
Is there somewhere that has always felt like home to you two?
Is there a place you’d love to share with your friends and family?
Is there a place that has always been on your “must travel to” list with your person?
This is one of the biggest choices you’ll make on your wedding day. Your wedding location is somewhere that will gain a deep meaning, and hopefully be somewhere you can return to for years to come. Thinking on these questions will give you a start. When finalizing a location make sure to consider these things:
How accessible do we want the spot to be? (Off the beaten path is always fun!!)
Do we want a traditional “venue” or somewhere like a ranch, airbnb, VRBO, etc where we can stay on the property?
What will the weather be like during the time of year we’d like to get married?
Who to Invite: Crafting a Guest List
This can be a tough one. I have been a part of wedding with 100 guests that felt intimate and special. I have also been lucky enough to be the only other person there on a couple’s wedding day. I also ask couples to think about these questions:
Will this person appreciate and love being a part of our wedding day experience?
Who do we want to spend the majority of our wedding day with? Each other? Our close family? A little bit of everyone?
Will this person be a positive person to be around on our wedding day?
There are not right or wrong answers to any of these questions. Even if you make the decision to keep your wedding day small, you can find other ways to incorporate more people into your celebration. (Reception after the fact, handwritten notes, etc) Remember, above all your wedding day is sacred, and it is a privilege for people to be a part of your wedding experience, not a requirement.
Plan Activities
Ask yourselves these questions:
What is our dream day together?
What are some of the most meaningful times we’ve spent together? What were we doing?
What are our favorite things: foods, drinks, pastimes?
Wedding days should be FUN. Set aside any stress you might feel and really think about how you two like to spend your time together. Visualize what a “perfect” day together looks like. Coffee on the porch? Canyoneering? Mid-afternoon whiskey shots? It is YOUR day. Even if you are planning a larger wedding, you can still fit these things into your plans. Also consider staying at a place that includes activities with lodging. A few of my favorites are Mackay Bar in Idaho, Red Cliff Lodge in Moab and Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.
Choose Vendors Who Resonate With You
I just can’t stress this enough. Your vendors will likely spend more time with you on your wedding or elopement day than anyone else. A few tips on selecting vendors:
Do their values fit with yours? (sustainability, experiences over things, etc.)
Do you feel seen and heard by them? Both on their website and during your consultation.
Do you like them? (simple, but very important!)
Do their reviews reflect the kind of experience you would like to have with them?
I would suggest always having a consultation whether it’s in person or over the phone and thoroughly reading their reviews. Familiarize yourself with their work through their blog/website/social media. A few places to find vendors:
Referrals. Ask friends and family
Google search, Pinterest search, Instagram hashtag search
Wedding blogs: Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, etc all have dedicated search engines for locating vendors
Incorporate Heirlooms and Traditions
I’m sure you’ve noticed a theme around here- I am a strong believer that wedding and elopement days should be crafted around things that feel meaningful and significant. Your wedding day is a great time to carry on traditions that feel right to you, or to create new ones! Some ideas:
Have your vow books handmade
Wear jewelry that has been passed down in the family
Have a first dance, even privately if you don’t want to do it in front of others.
Have items made for your wedding that can be re-purposed in your home: pottery, ribbon, etc.
This is the time to think through what things are meaningful- not more stuff for the sake of stuff. Forget about Pinterest and over-the-top wedding blogs, incorporate pieces that will be with you two long after your wedding.
Remember What’s Important
HEY, remember how you’re marrying the love of your life? The most important person? Don’t forget that while planning. Make it fun and something to look forward to. If you start to feel overwhelmed, always return to this- you found your person. Everything else will melt into place. Happy planning. xx
If you are interested in booking your wedding or elopement with Haley Nord Photography, fill out the contact form here.