The Most Important Wedding Advice No Luxury Planner Will Tell You … Except Me!

Photo: Next Exit Photography

If you agree with me that the act of marrying your partner is the most important element of the day, here are my suggestions:

Throw every thought about what you “have to” do out the window. You and your partner don’t have to do anything to impress anyone.

A Civil Ceremony at your local courthouse. Invite as many of your family and friends as the courthouse will allow - and your friend who is the best photographer to capture as much as possible. Better yet, divide the photography between multiple friends so they can switch off and enjoy the festivities.

If your home is not big enough, or the weather prevents you from using your backyard (or your apartment is just not big enough), reach out to the 50 guests. You will be happily surprised at how many people will offer their homes or yards, i.e., do not rent a venue.

And in that vein, make it a real celebration of family and friends for your wedding day. Invite your closest friends to cook and prepare Family Style foods, i.e., no caterer.

If you want a wedding cake, one of your friends will literally jump at the chance to bake a small symbolic cake for you.

Decide on what you want to drink (it’s probably a good idea to limit it to wine/prosecco and beer) and then head to Costco.

Limit flowers to a simple bouquet that one of your friends can make.

Hit up Ikea for great deals on votives and other candles so you can create warmth and dazzling light for pennies on the dollar.

And remember that it’s not the amount of money you spend - it’s the celebration of your marriage with your friends who will come together to support you and make this a party that will provide you with a lifetime of memories.

You’ve got it.