If you are planning your wedding right now and googling things at midnight like seating plan ideas or how early to send invitations, trust me, I have been there. Planning my own wedding taught me more than any checklist ever could, so here are the things I wish someone had whispered to me at the start.
You cannot do everything at once
I went into planning with the energy of someone who thought they could organise a whole wedding in one weekend. Spoiler alert: you cannot. Weddings happen in layers. One decision helps shape the next. When I realised that, everything became so much easier. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it probably means you are trying to jump five steps ahead. Take one at a time and breathe.
Your wedding stationery sets the tone more than you think
I always knew stationery mattered, but I did not realise how much until I sent our save the dates. People suddenly got very excited (and so didi I!) The day all of a sudden felt real. Our save-the-dates ended up guiding our whole aesthetic from the colours to the signage. If you are currently searching for modern wedding invitations or personalised wedding stationery, pay attention to what feels like you rather than whats trendy. It really does shape the rest of your day in a subtle but lovely way.
Pinterest will trick you if you let it
Pinterest is both magical and dangerous. You start looking for bouquet ideas and suddenly you are deep into a world of ten tier cakes and chandeliers hanging from trees. It is amazing for inspiration, but the real magic happens when you stop trying to copy a board and instead use it to guide your own style.
Budget for the things you actually care about
Everyone has an opinion on what is worth it. Flowers. Music. Food. Decor. People will tell you what they think you should spend on, but the truth is simple. Spend on what matters to you as a couple. If music is your thing, invest there. If you care about thoughtful stationery that ties your day together, prioritise that. If a ten-tier cake is your dream, then do it! Your wedding does not need to impress Instagram or even your guests, it just needs to be a day for the two of you.
Something will go wrong and it will not ruin anything
This was a big lesson. We had tiny hiccups on the day and one major one the day before (I'll share this one day!) No one cared. No one noticed. Weddings have a way of smoothing over imperfect moments. Guests remember the atmosphere and how the day felt, not whether every tiny detail went exactly to plan.
If you are looking for inspiration for invitations, menus, place cards or any on-the-day stationery, you can browse my designs at Print and Pearls. But more than anything, I hope this helps you feel a little less overwhelmed and a little more grounded during planning.
Your wedding will be beautiful, even if it is not perfect. And honestly, that is part of the charm.
