10 Questions Every Bride Thinks About… Answered!

Yay! He popped the question and now it’s time to buckle down and start the wedding planning! You may be asking yourself, where do I even begin? What lists do I need to make? Where in the world am I going to find my dream dress? 
There are so many questions and things to do when it comes to wedding planning, but do not worry! We have compiled some common questions that almost every bride thinks about and we are here to spill all of the answers! 

1. How much should we be spending on our wedding?
This question is one that depends on the situation and varies from couple to couple. However, according to Value Penguin, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is approximately $30,000. You can also find a list of average costs based on which state you live in! It may or may not be realistic for your own personal wedding day, but it is a good place to start! 

2. What is the one thing we should put higher up on our budget?
Hands down, do not cut corners on a photographer/videographer! Let us be the first to tell you that yes, it is a pricier part of the puzzle, but it is also probably one of the most important! After your wedding day is over, the only things that will remain to look back on your special day is your memories and your photos/videos. If you truly want to encapture your wedding day in the best way possible, make sure to put the photographer/videographer on the top of your budget list!

3. Who comes to the rehearsal dinner?
Typically, the only people who make an appearance at the rehearsal dinner are the bride and groom and whoever is included in the wedding party. However, some couples may decide to invite some out of town guests if it’s in their budget since they are in town for the wedding. The rehearsal dinner is used as a way to rehearse for the big day and to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and where they are going.

4. Do I need a wedding planner?
This is entirely up to you, but we can definitely vouch that having a wedding planner makes things go a lot smoother and saves the bride and groom from a lot of unnecessary stress! The wedding planner will be able to help guide you in the right directions based on your vision for the wedding and save you both time.

5. Are Save the Date cards necessary?
We live in a time where everything is pretty much digital now! The latest trend we have been seeing amongst weddings is that a lot of couples are now only sending save the dates, adding their website on the card, which then leads guests to a website where they can find a place to RSVP, find the wedding registries, and can even find a honeymoon fund! Anything and everything you need can all be added to your wedding website!

6.  Should we allow plus-ones?
Let’s just put it this way… the more people who are invited to the wedding, the higher the cost. We are seeing a lot of couples opting out of allowing plus-ones and having smaller, more intimate weddings. However, this is another decision that is entirely up to you. If it fits within your budget and you don’t mind having more guests attend, go for it!

7. How should we greet our guests at the reception?
You don’t want a long line of people waiting for you two, so instead we suggest greeting your guests while meals are being distributed to everyone. Another way to greet guests all at once is to use a microphone and give a short speech before dinner actually starts. This is a great way to let your guests know how much you appreciate them joining you for your special day and it assures that everyone receives the message!

8. What is considered appropriate for our first kiss at the ceremony?
We get it. It’s nerve wracking sharing your first form of PDA together in front of all of your family and friends! The truth is, there is no right or wrong answer for this one. It is entirely up to you and your partner to choose however you would like your first kiss to be! For some people, they wait to see how the moment is and then they just go for it!

9. Is a send off really necessary?
Send offs can definitely be a nice way to end the night, but it isn’t necessary! If you plan on partying it up with your family and friends all night or if you aren’t having someone drive you off at the end of the reception, then opting out of having one may be better for you. It can also help save some money when it comes to your photographer because you won’t need them to stay longer.

10. Is it normal to feel scared or nervous about the wedding?
Yes, it is completely normal (go ahead, you can breathe now)! You aren’t the first nor the last one to feel that way. There is a lot that goes into this special day and it can definitely cause some nerves to arise, but we are here to let you know that everything will be okay! Make sure to enjoy the moments leading up to your wedding day and don’t sweat the small things. It is a big day and a big step in both of your lives, but you got this!