It’s common for people to become event planners after organizing their own weddings. Before my wedding, I had coordinated two other weddings, so I had a bit of a head start in knowing what to expect and what I wanted. However, it’s always easier said than done when it’s your own event. Through my business journey, you’ll see many of my own wedding photos used for business branding. I remember my kids asking, “Why are you using photos from your wedding?” And I told them, “So I can always remember how much it meant to me!” There are things I completely loved about my wedding, things I hated, and things I wish I had done differently. I want all future brides to know that how you feel on your wedding day is very important. Make sure that whatever decisions you make—whether it’s your venue, decorations, food, photography, or music—you decide what will make you happy. Here are a few things about my wedding experience I wanted to share with you:

No Regrets:

My Venue: Choose a venue that you are happy with. It doesn’t matter how others feel about it—they can give their opinions, but don’t let them make the decision for you. I chose my venue because it was all-inclusive. They rented out event props, which meant I had access to anything in their inventory at a discounted price. There was also an event planner who worked closely with me. The venue could hold at least 350 people, allowed for outside catering, had a cash bar, and we could supply our own beer and wine. Plus, it was local to where my husband and I live, and I didn’t have to do much to make it look nice for photos.

Centerpieces: I initially planned for fancy floral arrangements, but planning your own wedding can take a toll on you, and costs add up quickly. So, I opted for what the venue offered in their package: floating candles in glass vases and fresh rose petals. It still made my photos look good and gave the elegance and simplicity I was looking for.

Party Favors: I chose to have a candy buffet, which made it fun for the guests since they could pick what they wanted. I enjoyed adding personalized touches to the table, and it was a big hit at the wedding, especially with the children.

Regrets:

Not having a videographer: When I got married, videography was just starting to become popular, and I regret not hiring a professional. We didn’t have a designated person to take videos, and since my whole family wanted to enjoy the wedding, they set a camcorder on a platform above the candy buffet table to record all night. Unfortunately, the video mostly captured people’s heads as they grabbed candy. I haven’t seen that video in over ten years, and I don’t even have the proper equipment to watch it now. I would love to watch my wedding video again, especially to see moments like my dad’s speech, as he passed away three years ago. Having someone create a beautiful video with our wedding song and heartfelt speeches would have meant the world to me.

Not having a DJ: I regret not choosing the music and DJ I wanted for my wedding. At the time, I tried to compromise, but now I realize those compromises left me with regrets. I wish my wedding had featured the music I love and allowed me to enjoy the day with the people who meant the most to me. Music is a big part of my life, and I wish I had been able to select the songs played at my wedding. The only song I got to pick was our first dance song, and looking back, I should have been more assertive about my choices.

Final Thoughts:

Every bride has different expectations and priorities, but it’s crucial to make sure that you are happy on your special day. Don’t make decisions solely to please others; ensure your choices reflect what you truly want.

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