Keeping your priorities straight, and allowing for artistic license!

Submitted by admin on Sat, 04/02/2011 - 02:32

*Note: All pictures used in this post are amateur shots by friends and family – we’re still waiting on the professional pictures which I will share as soon as I get them!

This is the first time that I have spoken up about my wedding despite the crazy number of inquiries about it! The most frequently asked questions have been; “How did you decide on wearing your hair the way you did and where did you get that bouquet! And, how did you choose your vendors?”

Answers:

I wanted to feel like myself – being in a massive ball gown and on display is not something I am used to, nor comfortable with. To say the least I am lacking in confidence and having my hair down and the way I NORMALLY wear it, gave me comfort and a sense of normalcy. Although it may not have been as fancy or glamorous as you would have expected, it was perfect for me and it went with my theme of Shabby Chic – Modern Eclectic! The dress was such a huge statement and as far away from casual as possible – so I juxtaposed it with casual hair!

My bouquet, I MADE IT MYSELF – something you may not know about me: I have a little business making these beauties – for more information or a quote email me through our “contact” page and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

As I planned my own wedding I felt so much pressure weighing on me. With a short 4 month engagement I didn’t have much time to really ponder about my decisions or research multiple vendors.

I allowed myself to fall into that bridal breakdown mode until my fiancé looked at me and said “get your priorities straight!” At the time it seemed harsh, but in his MAN way what he was trying to say was – What’s most important in all of this is that you and I are getting married! No matter what happens it will be the best day of our lives because we will be marrying EACH OTHER!

From that point on, my planning method changed…

My friends kept asking me, how are you so calm? Here’s the truth! I went from over analyzing absolutely every decision and every detail to, “keeping my priorities straight!” Once I realized that the details of what, where and who, weren’t THAT important, I was able to just enjoy the ride!

My vendors were chosen based on a FEEL – sounds crazy right? To a TYPE A PERSONALITY, like myself this method sounds absolutely ridiculous but it works and allowed me to really enjoy the process and the day of.

Something to keep in mind – in the months leading up to your wedding and on the big day, chances are that you will spend more time with your vendors than your close friends and family! So, for me it was important not only to like their work but to also like them as people! Feeling comfort, trust and confidence in and around your vendors helps to prevent unnecessary stress!

Taking this new attitude meant that I needed to do what I wish all of my own clients would do for me! Allow for “artistic license!” You should be choosing your vendors for 2 reasons: You like their work, and they fit your budget! Giving them some direction with regards to things you like or dislike is smart but micromanaging every detail will result in stress and ultimately you WONT get what you want - 2 people can’t have the exact same vision. So when I say allow for “Artistic License” I mean, give cues to your vendors but let them do what they do best and create a master piece with you in mind!

Example – Cues that I gave my florist/décor specialist:

Colour: NO THANKS, let’s keep everything in the white family

Style: Shabby Chic - Modern Eclectic

Things I hate: TABLE CLOTHS!

Things I love: Pedestal tables, Candles and gold accents

The lovely and extremely talented Fiona of Stemz came to me with a proposal – a vision that she saw based on my cues! I won’t lie, since it was all on paper it was hard to imagine – but I trusted her! Obviously there were a few things that I didn’t like the sound of so we did a little bit of tweaking but for the most part the creation was ALL hers!

So, when I say choose by a feeling, I mean choose vendors that you enjoy spending time with, that you can trust will put together something beautiful because of talent, artistry and experience! *If you hire someone that you don’t fully trust, you’ll stress yourself out by micromanaging a team of people who you have NO business managing! You don’t direct a dentist while in his chair – do you? Your vendors have their work down to a science, let them wow you!

I gave all of our hired artists (vendors) the same respect and can honestly say I have no regrets and was 100% happy with EVERYTHING on my wedding day!

Next month I’ll tell you: