What Not to Do When Planning a Wedding From Home
So - you've decided to start your wedding planning from home because you're not the type of person to let COVID-19 get in the way of your love story. We totally get it. But - there are some common mistakes that you need to know about before venturing into the world of scheduling venues and deciding on a wedding dress.
Below, the major DON'TS that need to be on your radar as you begin to plan the wedding day of your dreams from home.
1. Don't Freak Out
This step is especially important for the couples who feel like they're on the brink of a breakdown because of all the COVID-19 restrictions. Information and guidelines are changing at a rapid pace, so we understand why you might start hyperventilating at the thought of beginning your wedding planning journey. However, we're here to tell you to take a deep breath and relax. These guidelines are going to make your mind and goals feel a little bit clearer so that you can venture into the wedding day planning world with confidence.
2. Don't Wait Until the Last Second to Get Started
If you follow the first rule, then this one should come to you much easier. Procrastination is the enemy of all couples when it comes to planning their wedding, so it's really important to take action now (especially with all this extra time on your hands!). Finding the motivation to plan your wedding from home can be difficult, but if you begin to take small steps towards the wedding of your dreams, your vision will slowly but surely come together.
3. Don't Begin Planning Without an Inspiration Board
It's time to log in to your Pinterest! Wedding planning is sooo much easier when you have a mood board to reference. This will help you explain what exactly it is you're looking for if you are wanting to hire a wedding planner. If Pinterest isn't your thing, you can always save photos to an album on Instagram or directly to your phone. Whatever you do, just make sure that you're prepared to explain exactly what you want.
4. Don't Keep Your Guests in the Dark
The longer you wait to announce to your guests that you're postponing your wedding due to COVID-19, the more texts you're going to receive from your grandmother asking when exactly it is you're going to be tying the knot. Even if you're planning a wedding a year or two from now, it's important to alert your guests ASAP to your plans so that they're in the know and can begin to ask you any questions they may have regarding coronavirus concerns.
5. Don't Procrastinate Wedding Dress Shopping
Similar to our advice about not waiting to begin filling up an inspiration board, we highly encourage you to start your wedding dress shopping early. If you're uncomfortable with going in person to browse through gowns because of COVID-19, there are a lot of stores that display their inventory online so you can begin building your wishlist. Some boutiques even offer curbside delivery where you choose 3-5 wedding dresses to try on and return any that you don't like. Overall, if there's a particular boutique you're dying to shop at, give them a call and ask how they can work with you so that you don't have to procrastinate finding the wedding dress of your dreams!
6. Don't Delay Building Your Wedding Website
The best way to keep your guests informed is by building a website for your event. This way you can easily email the link to everyone invited and keep them in the know with COVID-19 updates and the general progress you're making in terms of wedding planning. This can be as detailed as you want it to be - the key is to clue everyone in well before your wedding day.
7. Don't Forget to Practice Self-Care
Definitely the most important thing to not slack on when beginning your wedding planning adventure. Take care of yourself and your partner! Times are particularly uncertain and stressful right now because of the coronavirus pandemic, so try to make it a priority to take a break from dealing with the intricacies of wedding planning. Schedule a date night, take long walks together or give each other a massage. Whatever you do, keep in mind that this is all about celebrating your love story and not about impressing your guests or booking the fanciest venue.