Discover the Ultimate Wedding-planning Tips to Incorporate Into Your Big Day

Planning a wedding involves countless decisions, from selecting the perfect dress to organizing pre- and post-wedding celebrations, and choosing a design aesthetic that truly reflects your personalities and venue. Staying on top of trends can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

While we recommend hiring a wedding planner to help you organize the details of your nuptials, we understand that many couples choose to plan their own weddings or gather advice from a number of sources, which is why we’re always sharing the expert wedding advice of our Editors Circle members, who are among some of the nation’s top wedding professionals.

With trends constantly evolving and endless inspiration at your fingertips, it’s wise to turn to seasoned industry experts. We’ve gathered their top tips, planning secrets, and the latest trends from wedding planners, bridal stylists, floral designers, and photographers featured in weddings magazine.

Read on to discover how to make these insights your own and create the wedding of your dreams. Happy planning!

Wedding Planning Guide from Wedding Planner Experts

Pre-Wedding Festivities

Host an Intimate Pre-Wedding Dinner: “Kick off your wedding weekend with an intimate dinner for your nearest and dearest before the larger guest group arrives,” suggests Allyson Joseph of Bob Gail Events. “It’s a wonderful way to carve out special time with your closest friends and family, creating some of your best memories from the weekend.”
Thoughtfully Choose Your Bridal Party: Natalie Sofer of Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events advises, “When selecting your bridal party, choose those closest to you who will shower you with love, keep you calm, and support you and your upcoming marriage. Don’t be afraid to be selective.” (Related Post: What are the Pros and Cons of Having Bridesmaids at Your Wedding?)

Personalizing Your Big Day

Find Inspiration in Pop Culture: Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so make it uniquely yours by embracing a fun and personal theme! Draw inspiration from your favorite TV series, like the romantic elegance of Bridgerton or the epic grandeur of Game of Thrones. Let these themes shine through in your décor, attire, and overall atmosphere.
Consider a “Grab & Go” Station for Destination Weddings: For destination weddings, Kaylen Davidson of Sara Judith Events recommends, “Instead of a standard welcome bag, create a ‘grab + go’ station at the welcome party where guests can pick and choose what they’d like. This reduces waste, and guests get to walk away with items they will actually eat or use!”
Make Your Seating Chart Unique: “The seating chart is a detail all your guests see, making it a great option to tie in personalization,” notes Kaylen Davidson of Sara Judith Events. “Doing something that’s unique or sentimental to you both is a great way to make a lasting impression on your guests!”

Wedding Day Style & Decor

Embrace a Dramatic Bridal Hood or Cape: “Hooded capes are the new veil, particularly when paired with a clean, slim-fitted dress,” says Belle Manjong of BBelle Style. “They simultaneously channel enchanting and intriguing, sexy vibes. As the wedding-day festivities progress, hoods can be put down to become a cowled-back dress detail or removed altogether to reveal a dress change.”

Give Bridesmaids Freedom with Accessories: “Let your bridesmaids choose their own shoes, jewelry, and nail color,” advises one expert. “You often cannot even see the shoes in long gowns, and the jewelry and nail color really won’t matter on the day, as long as it is dainty and neutral. This freedom of self-expression will be appreciated by your leading ladies.”
Opt for Long, Family-Style Tables: David Pressman of David Pressman Events suggests, “Whether for family-style dinner or plated, long tables are a better choice. All of the décor, from the flowers and candles to the straight line of the chairs, looks much more elegant and dramatic when you and your guests first walk into the space.”
Prioritize Tabletop Details: Mindy Weiss of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants emphasizes, “Tabletop is now just as important as flowers. Colorful and intricate linens, upgraded glassware in corresponding hues, and details with personality really set the stage for the beautiful florals and overall feeling of the room or event space.”
Incorporate Peach Wedding Flowers: “Peach is the emerging color of the season in wedding florals,” says Andrea Eppolito of Andrea Eppolito Events. “More couture-looking and unexpected than pink, and much more approachable than orange, peach is warm and soft, romantic and elegant.”
Bring Back Disco Balls: “Disco balls have made a comeback,” notes Victoria Dubin of Victoria Dubin Events. “Many of our couples love the glamour, energy, and unique lighting effect that disco balls provide a wedding reception. Hanging some above the dance floor brings an instant ‘party pop’ and adds an unexpected wow.”

Photography Essentials

Ask About Drone Photography: “Drones are a hot trend for weddings recently, and that’s because the results can look amazing!” says Maya Myers of Maya Myers Photography. “If it’s available, you and your photographer will have to make sure it’s allowed at the venue and that the shots needed can be timed with the time of day that allows the overhead point of view to look spectacular.”
Prepare Paper Goods for Your Photographer: Heather Lowenthal of Posh Parties advises, “Make sure you put a folder together with clean samples of your save the date and invitation suite with stamps for your photographer to take pictures of on your wedding day.”

Hiring Your Dream Team

Choose Professionals Who Understand Your Vision: “Hire a team that you feel truly understands you and your vision!” urges one professional. “A talented planning and vendor team will know what to do in any situation that may arise, and when you know your wedding is in the hands of experts you trust, you are guaranteed a smoother event.”
Value a Wedding Planner Who Is Also a Designer: Andrea Eppolito of Andrea Eppolito Events states, “Never underestimate the value of a wedding planner who is also a designer. A luxury wedding planner will do more than simply organize your tasks. He or she should draw inspiration from your personal narrative and weave it into the design of every event element, ensuring that your wedding day feels deeply personal and exquisitely tailored to you. Embrace opulent details in your celebration — from lush floral installations to intricate tablescapes and dramatic lighting — to create a lush setting of sophistication and glamour.”

Reception & After-Party Fun

Strategically Place Your Bar: To keep guests on the dance floor, Beth Helmstetter of Beth Helmstetter Events, Inc. advises, “Place a bar or two near where dancing will take place, so guests can just easily step off the dance floor for a refill and get back to dancing as quickly as possible.”
Rock a Fun Minidress for a Second Look: “Straight from Bridal Fashion Week in New York, minidresses are in!” says Heather Lowenthal of Posh Parties. “If you are planning on changing into a second look at your reception, choose a fun minidress for brides that will help you keep the party going all night long!” Berit Bizjak of Berit Bizjak Photography adds, “Plan to see brides choosing beautiful, classic wedding gowns with timeless details such as luxurious, long trains, and later changing into a completely different second look featuring a flirty, fun ensemble.”

Plan an Exciting After-Party: “One of our favorite elements of producing a wedding weekend is the after-party,” shares Katie Pincus of Bob Gail Events. “The primary goal is simple: keep the party going! We love to dream up ways to surprise and delight guests with details as the night continues. For some, it’s as simple as delicious, well-crafted late-night snacks or tray-passed espresso martinis, and for others, we change up entertainment with live music and custom comfy kicks for guests to slip into.”
Surprise Guests with Fireworks: “Looking for a way to surprise your guests, create some beautiful photos, and light up the sky to celebrate your wedding? Then fireworks are the answer,” says David Pressman of David Pressman Events. “The average cost per minute is $1,000-2,000, and two minutes is just the right amount of time to wow everyone and leave them wanting more. Safety comes first, so have your wedding planner confirm they’re legal, and then hire professionals because your wedding is not the time or the place for amateurs.”

Post-Wedding Touches

Personalize Your Thank-You Notes: “Newlyweds… make your thank-you notes unique and personal by collecting postcards from your honeymoon destination,” suggests Mallory Ladenheim of Rikki & Mal. “Jot down your heartfelt messages while exploring beautiful locations – or if time doesn’t allow, when you get home. Either way, your friends and family will love receiving a piece of your honeymoon adventure in the mail.”

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