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Planning my wedding was one of the most trying, wonderful, exhausting, and fulfilling experiences of my life. From choosing a date and time to compiling the guest list to finding the dress, the details quickly became overwhelming. While my fiancé and I enjoyed the anticipation leading up to the big day, stress and worry clouded some of our pre-marital bliss.
In the end, our wedding and reception went off without a hitch, but there were definitely some things I wish I had known before organizing the biggest party of my life. I picked up these tips by asking big questions along the way. I hope these help you through the process too.
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How Effective Is Premarital Counseling?
First things first: Premarital counseling is worth every minute. Maintaining your relationship with God and each other during this busy time is a must. And couples who invest in eight to ten hours in premarital counseling are 80% less likely to get a divorce. So find an experienced pastor or Christian counselor to guide you through the issues critical to every successful marriage.
What Is the Best Way to Organize a Wedding Plan?
Use an external resource (not in your head!) to organize your wedding plan. As fun as it is to buy stacks of wedding books and magazines, there is plenty of free help at the library and online. Here are three things to keep in mind when organizing your wedding plan:
– Establish a Budget and Stick to It
Decide who’s paying for what before you go on a spending spree. It’s a sticky subject, but an important one: Whoever foots the bill ultimately has the final say on how much is spent. If you want complete control over your wedding, it may be best to pay for it on your own.
– Be Firm on Major Details and Flexible on Minor Ones
Sure, a compromise here and there is necessary, but you’re never going to please everyone. Months after the reception decisions were made, my parents and I still disagree on the reception time. And how many appetizers to order. And the size of the wedding cake. While it’s unlikely you’ll see eye-to-eye on everything, it is possible to make decisions everyone can live with.
– Let Others Help You with Wedding Planning
Loosen your grip on every little detail and allow others to give you a hand. Not only will this free up time, but some friends and family members will appreciate the opportunity to get involved.
Are Wedding Magazines Worth It?
I don’t think wedding magazines helped me. I made the mistake of buying a stack of glossies as I planned my wedding, which made me acutely aware of my limited budget and unrealistic standards. Sure, it’s fun to pour over the flawless images and extravagant receptions, but at what price? Not everyone can afford to spend $9,000 on a dress and twice that on flowers.
Do yourself a favor by keeping your Bible handy and your focus on God — not image.
How Soon Should You Write Thank-You Notes After the Wedding?
If possible, write cards as gifts arrive. This will save you time — and grief — after the wedding.
Also, don’t forget to take note of each package’s contents. That way, you won’t thank Aunt Marian for a vase when she gave you a set of sheets.
How Much Weight Should I Plan to Lose Before the Wedding?
It’s easy to obsess over appearance, especially when you’re the center of attention. When it comes to our bodies, upping the activity ante and cutting down on calories is a good thing. But sacrificing emotional well being to shed a few pounds isn’t worth it. After only a week on the Atkins diet, I was three pounds thinner and 10 times crabbier than when I started.
We all want to look our best on the big day, but our fiancé, friends, and families love us the way we are — imperfections and all. Looking for a godly identity check? Pick up a copy of Nancy Stafford’s Beauty by the Book.
A significant question (“Will you marry me?”), a simple answer (“I do!”), and a couple of vows later — bang — life is forever changed. Don’t worry too much about all the wedding planning. Just enjoy the journey.
Continue reading
The post Tips for Planning the Wedding Day appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
Planning my wedding was one of the most trying, wonderful, exhausting, and fulfilling experiences of my life. From choosing a date and time to compiling the guest list to finding the dress, the details quickly became overwhelming. While my fiancé and I enjoyed the anticipation leading up to the big day, stress and worry clouded some of our pre-marital bliss.
In the end, our wedding and reception went off without a hitch, but there were definitely some things I wish I had known before organizing the biggest party of my life. I picked up these tips by asking big questions along the way. I hope these help you through the process too.
Ready to Wed
Did you know couples are 30 percent less likely to get a divorce if they get some sort of premarital training? If you or someone you know is planning to marry, check out Focus on the Family's Ready to Wed curriculum, and then prepare for a marriage you'll love!Get the Workbook
How Effective Is Premarital Counseling?
First things first: Premarital counseling is worth every minute. Maintaining your relationship with God and each other during this busy time is a must. And couples who invest in eight to ten hours in premarital counseling are 80% less likely to get a divorce. So find an experienced pastor or Christian counselor to guide you through the issues critical to every successful marriage.
What Is the Best Way to Organize a Wedding Plan?
Use an external resource (not in your head!) to organize your wedding plan. As fun as it is to buy stacks of wedding books and magazines, there is plenty of free help at the library and online. Here are three things to keep in mind when organizing your wedding plan:
– Establish a Budget and Stick to It
Decide who’s paying for what before you go on a spending spree. It’s a sticky subject, but an important one: Whoever foots the bill ultimately has the final say on how much is spent. If you want complete control over your wedding, it may be best to pay for it on your own.
– Be Firm on Major Details and Flexible on Minor Ones
Sure, a compromise here and there is necessary, but you’re never going to please everyone. Months after the reception decisions were made, my parents and I still disagree on the reception time. And how many appetizers to order. And the size of the wedding cake. While it’s unlikely you’ll see eye-to-eye on everything, it is possible to make decisions everyone can live with.
– Let Others Help You with Wedding Planning
Loosen your grip on every little detail and allow others to give you a hand. Not only will this free up time, but some friends and family members will appreciate the opportunity to get involved.
Are Wedding Magazines Worth It?
I don’t think wedding magazines helped me. I made the mistake of buying a stack of glossies as I planned my wedding, which made me acutely aware of my limited budget and unrealistic standards. Sure, it’s fun to pour over the flawless images and extravagant receptions, but at what price? Not everyone can afford to spend $9,000 on a dress and twice that on flowers.
Do yourself a favor by keeping your Bible handy and your focus on God — not image.
How Soon Should You Write Thank-You Notes After the Wedding?
If possible, write cards as gifts arrive. This will save you time — and grief — after the wedding.
Also, don’t forget to take note of each package’s contents. That way, you won’t thank Aunt Marian for a vase when she gave you a set of sheets.
How Much Weight Should I Plan to Lose Before the Wedding?
It’s easy to obsess over appearance, especially when you’re the center of attention. When it comes to our bodies, upping the activity ante and cutting down on calories is a good thing. But sacrificing emotional well being to shed a few pounds isn’t worth it. After only a week on the Atkins diet, I was three pounds thinner and 10 times crabbier than when I started.
We all want to look our best on the big day, but our fiancé, friends, and families love us the way we are — imperfections and all. Looking for a godly identity check? Pick up a copy of Nancy Stafford’s Beauty by the Book.
A significant question (“Will you marry me?”), a simple answer (“I do!”), and a couple of vows later — bang — life is forever changed. Don’t worry too much about all the wedding planning. Just enjoy the journey.
Continue reading
The post Tips for Planning the Wedding Day appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...