Have you ever made a decision that felt perfect in the moment but, days or months later, left you thinking, “I should have waited,” or worse, “I should’ve trusted my gut”? If you have, welcome to the club—I’ve been there, too.
I can’t count how many times rushing into something has left me with a serious case of decision regret. Take this one time: I landed my first professional job and thought I was on top of the world. Naturally, I celebrated by buying a brand-new car. I was ecstatic… until two days later, when reality set in, and I found myself wondering, “Did I make the right decision?” Spoiler alert: I didn’t.
Fast forward two years, and that shiny, new car with all the bells and whistles was traded in for a well-loved vehicle with—wait for it—a tape player. Yep, a tape player. Forget texting my friends when I arrived; they heard me coming from a block away! That was a hard (and noisy) lesson in slowing down and making sure my choices matched my lifestyle and budget.
So, what does this have to do with your wedding? Everything.
Wedding Planning Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Every decision you make while planning your wedding has weight. Each vendor you choose and every dollar you spend can affect your day in big ways. That’s why it’s so important to take your time, sleep on your decisions, and make sure each choice aligns with your vision and your budget.
Let me give you an example. Just the other day, I sat down with a couple who shared their $35,000 wedding budget for 125 guests. Sounds reasonable, right? But then they mentioned they had booked a venue the same day they toured it—for $20,000. That’s more than half their budget gone in one fell swoop!
After hearing about the rest of their wedding dreams, it was clear they’d need a budget closer to $60,000 unless they made some significant compromises. If they had taken just a day or two to explore other venues, they could’ve found one just as stunning (if not more so) that fit their budget better.
Slow Down and Trust Your Gut
Planning your wedding is emotional—there’s no doubt about it. You’re making heartfelt decisions because you’re marrying the love of your life. It’s easy to get swept up in the moment, but trust me, it’s worth taking a step back to think things through.
For example, my husband loves sending me real estate listings for “dream homes.” But before I even open the link, I ask, “How much is it?” Because if I fall in love with a house that’s way out of budget, there’s no going back to “affordability town.” It’s the same with puppies—if we start looking, we’d better be ready to take one home that day. Lesson learned the hard way!
The same principle applies to your wedding vendors. Don’t rush into contracts. Make sure you genuinely connect with your vendors and feel confident they’re on your team. Your photographer, for instance, will be with you for most of your big day, and your DJ will set the tone for your celebration. These aren’t just service providers—they’re part of your dream team.
Your Day, Your Journey, Your Beginning
Your wedding day is sacred. It’s about you, your love, your story, and the incredible journey you’re starting together. The vendors who truly value you will understand this. They’ll wait while you take the time to make thoughtful decisions because they know your day is as important to them as it is to you.
So, take a deep breath. Enjoy the planning process. And remember, the tortoise always wins the race. Trust your gut, trust the process, and trust that the right decisions will fall into place.
Your dream wedding is worth the wait—because this is your one and done, right? Let’s make it count.
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