The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Wedding Planning
Wedding planning can be stressful, chaotic, overwhelming and inefficient. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Want to learn some strategies for a better wedding planning process and experience? Today, Liz Coopersmith from Silver Charm Events shares with us some tips.
I’ve been reading a lot of business and personal management books lately. How to be more efficient, how to be more effective, how to be happier, (there is no way to happiness, happiness IS the way. Think about that.), and just how to be a better person. Some of them I’ve even had the time to finish. The last one was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the classic by Stephen Covey. And it occurred to me that these habits apply really well to wedding planning, too:
1. Be Proactive.
Proactivity, Mr. Covey says, isn’t just a matter of taking initiative, it’s a matter of taking RESPONSIBILITY. It’s your responsibility to make things happen for your wedding. As a planner, I hear a lot of, “I don’t know where to get started planning my wedding”, “I don’t have a big enough budget”, “I don’t have enough time”, “My venue won’t let me do whatever”, “I can’t, I don’t, I won’t, all these outside forces are preventing me from getting my way.” At which point, your head explodes. Stop focusing on what you can’t do and focus on what you CAN do, which is where taking initiative comes in. Keep asking questions and looking around until you find someone or something that will help you. It’s out there, I promise.
2. Begin with the End in Mind
Mr. Covey explains that all things are created twice – first in the mind and then physically in the world. I ask every bride and groom I meet with two questions: 1. What are the three things you MUST have at your wedding? 2. What do you want your guests to feel like at your wedding? That is what your wedding looks like, so always keep it in mind when you’re making your choices.
3. Put First Things First
A lot of women get engaged, then run out and buy their dress, before they’ve figured out anything else. I can’t really blame them for going for the Pretty, because a wedding dress has some powerful mojo. But do yourself a favor and put first things first – DATE, BUDGET, GUEST COUNT, WEDDING AND RECEPTION VENUE. The date may determine what kind of venue you have, your budget will determine how much money you have to spend on everything, including your dress, your guest count will determine how much you have to spend on your reception per person, your wedding and reception venue and cost, which is going to take up half your budget, will also determine what you have to spend on everything else, yup, including your dress. See what I mean?
4. Think Win/Win
This is especially important as you’re meeting with vendors. You get the services you want at the rate they want. Win/Win. Look until you find what you need from someone who is able to give it to you. Make sure you are happy with the deal. DO NOT get yourself into a Lose/Win situation, no matter what. The last vendor you talk to is not the last option you have. This applies to personal situations, too, whether it’s your fiance who wants something that you don’t, family members, friends, etc. Talk it out, figure out what you’re willing to do, what they’re wiling to do, to make it work. Go for the Win/Win every time.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood
Or, as I like to think of it, “Help Me to Help You.” Ask your vendors what they need to give you what you need. A certain amount of set-up time? A certain amount of space? Understand, then be understood.
6. Synergize
My interpretation of this is “Don’t re-invent the wheel”. Instead of coming up with an entirely different way of doing something, ask someone who would know. You’ve got your venue, but you need a caterer? Ask your venue. Need a videographer? Ask your photographer. Use the resources you have to get what you still need. Plus, you’ll find people that are comfortable working with each other, which means less stress for you.
7. Sharpen the Saw
Wedding planning can take over your life. It can be stressful, overwhelming, and just a pain in the ass. When you start to feel the burn, do two things: 1. Picture that day, when you will stand together as husband and wife, surrounded by everyone who loves you. 2. Get the hell out of the house and do something fun. Don’t talk about the wedding, at all. Focus on him, focus on cool things going on in your life and in your friends’ lives. Laugh a lot and laugh loudly. Take a break, for crying out loud. Your wedding will be there when you get back.
See you at the end of the aisle,
Liz Coopersmith
Silver Charm Events