Top 6 Details that Couples Forget while Wedding Planning
It’s easy to focus on big ticket items when it comes to weddings. Focusing on the food, the dress, and the venue is a great way to spark the planning process, but those aren't the only things that need to be considered when planning a wedding.
The small details mean just as much as the big details and can often offset the timeline if not taken into consideration. Make the difference and take a look at items you need on your planning checklist!
Photography: The indi collective
Tip No. 1
Do your research on county laws
One important but often overlooked detail is checking your county’s marriage license laws. Every county has its own set of rules regarding how you can apply for a marriage license. To avoid any last-minute surprises, make it a priority to research your local regulations early in the planning process.
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 2
Leave breathing room in your budget
If there’s anything we know about weddings, it is that oftentimes it comes with a hefty price tag. A lot of times, surprises pop up that may not be in your budget. Making sure you leave a cushion in your budget can help alleviate any surprising costs. A few things that you should definitely account for that may be overlooked are alterations, gratuity and fees, and any extra decor you may want to purchase.
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 3
Give speeches a time limit
While speeches are heartfelt and meaningful, long speeches can quickly derail the evening’s timeline and lose the attention of your guests. Setting clear expectations ahead of time ensures that toasts stay sweet, succinct, and on schedule. A gentle heads-up about keeping things to a few minutes will help everyone stay focused and keep the energy of the celebration flowing. Giving time limits to your folks that are speaking can easily keep that timeline on track.
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 4
Keep track of the sunset
We love golden hour photos for optimal lighting. Keeping track of sunset and coordinating that with your photographer is key to getting those incredible images. Once the sun sets, its hard to get any images since it gets dark so quick. Keeping the time the sunsets on your timeline will allow you to get the perfect pictures and save the flash photos for the dance floor!
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 5
Plan around unforeseen traffic
Hosting a wedding in a big city like Chicago can come with different challenges - traffic being the main one. Always plan with extra time added to arrival times to account for any unforeseen traffic. This is especially important if you're looking to be in different places from getting ready, to the ceremony, to the reception!
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 6
Create a rain plan
We all know a wet knot is harder to untie, but having a rain plan is always so nice to save yourself from surprising weather. Communicate with your photographer about what to do in case it does rain. Having a rain plan that you're happy with and is communicated with all your vendors will definitely save you time and stress
photography: the indi collective
Tip No. 6
Make a packing list
Packing lists are our very favorite! Amongst the chaos of wedding day, it’s easy to forget the little things like your phone charger or the rings. Having everything packed and organized ahead of time (preferably in a clearly labeled bag) means fewer last-minute scrambles and more time to focus on the moments that matter.
photography: the indi collective
Don’t forget the little details!
At the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating your love—but the smoother the day runs, the more you can truly enjoy it. It truly is the little things that can make the world go round on your wedding day!
Chicago day-of wedding coordination
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