How To Make Your Wedding YOU (Guest Post From A Wedding Planner)

Today, my fun friend Emily from Confete Events is taking over for a guest post! Ever since I met Emily, I’ve loved every second I’ve gotten to spend with her! She is freakin hilarious! And she’s an incredible event planner. I asked her to write about details at an event — Here’s what she has to say!

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I’m going to tell you a secret. A secret that I will immediately deny if you tell anyone I said. That secret is the flowers don’t matter, the food doesn’t matter, the venue doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the details.

Now, you may be thinking “WHAT?!?! The wedding planner said the flowers and food don’t matter.” Of course, they matter…But contrary to popular belief, the only thing that makes them matter is the detail that makes them YOU.

I recently read a book about Delta weddings, and don’t get me wrong, the Delta KNOWS weddings. Everything we know about weddings in Mississippi must come directly from those flat farming counties. But as I read the book, I couldn’t help but notice that each ceremony was perfectly positioned in 1 of 2 churches, and each reception at the bride’s family home. Each had a tent, biscuits, shrimp and grits, and a guest list that undoubtedly was borrowed from her bridesmaid that was married the month before. All I could think was “Wow! I’m so glad the times the have changed.”

Weddings are at an all time high now with the statistics for the industry doing nothing but growing. The best news…there are no rules anymore. Each wedding is completely different and the national gurus are celebrating individuality. Hallelujah! Because if Martha Stewart agrees it must be true.

Here are my 4 sure fire ways to have a wedding that is YOU:

1. Pick the food YOU like. I was in a meeting recently finalizing a wedding menu, and the bride had said way too many times …“His brother doesn’t like seafood” or “My cousin doesn’t eat meat.” While accommodating your guests is certainly important, it’s not worth creating a menu you dislike. My favorite thing to do is to ask a couple, “What is your favorite date spot?” and incorporate foods from their favorite place. Another one of my favorites…”Where was your first date?” No lie…I almost convinced a couple recently to have a P5 station at their wedding. Everyone loves chicken, cheese, and rice at Mexican, right?!

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2. Choose a coffee table guest book. Having a formal guest book is very important to some brides. I, personally, would probably pack that lacy white book up in an attic box until my daughter got engaged. Having a guest book that doubles as a beautiful coffee table book ensures you’ll look at it. Pick up a book the next time you’re on a trip together. Or my favorite right now…Jackson by Ken Murphy if you’re planning on making your home in the area. If you like the idea of both or you’re worried about the timelessness of a coffee table book only, use a formal guest book at your wedding showers and ceremony and use the coffee table book at the reception!

3. The paper is a must, as I’m sure Laurel will agree. Save the Dates are completely up to you…. if you can dream it, it can be a Save the Date. Custom invitations are usually not much more expensive than just thumbing through a book and picking one. Wedding maps are fun and functional especially for out of town guests! Our advice – use the same vendor for all stationery. Matchy matchy isn’’t a must but doing this will be cohesive and give your guests a distinctive feel for your wedding. Your stationery creator can usually help you with signage for the day of the wedding, as well (i.e. food labels, cocktail napkins, etc).

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4. Be YOU. This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many brides get their arms twisted into doing things because someone suggested it. Don’t do a first look if you want your groom to see coming down the aisle for the first time. If you love to play corn hole and have a cool outdoor space at your reception, go play! This is, after all, YOUR day and only yours. Don’t be afraid to express what you want and what your desires are. Let the professionals figure out how to make the logistics flow!

And my ONE piece of the Delta not to ignore:

The etiquette is there for a reason. While your MeMe may not agree with your choice to serve sushi, she should still receive her invitation (addressed properly) in a timely matter. Consult Emily Post or your friendly neighborhood wedding planner (hopefully, me 🙂 ) about things that you simply don’t know. There is absolutely no shame in not knowing what order your processional should go or how to address an invite to your favorite Uncle and his on-again off-again girlfriend. If you knew all these things, wedding etiquette books and wedding planners wouldn’t exist. Use them…that’s what they’re for!

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Thank you Emily! Love it!