9 Ways To Keep Your Wedding Simple
Wedding plan. But keep it simple.
If you're hoping to have a relatively fuss-free wedding, might we suggest you follow the G-rated version of our favorite acronym, K.I.S.S. — aka "Keep it simple, sis!" We've put together 9 ways to keep your wedding as simple as can be...
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1. Make your guest list the A-list.
It goes without saying that a shorter guest list is easier on not only your budget but your sanity, too. Even if it's unrealistic to whittle your list down to 20, chopping it from 300 to 150 will still help take things from overwhelming to manageable. More often than not, an intimate affair really does requires less work—and it comes with an invaluable bonus: more quality face time with that cozier group of guests you invited!
Pro Tip: Now you can invite unlimited guests to your wedding—for free. How, you ask? With live stream technology! We're big fans of Lovecast – a simple app with high-quality video and an easy one-click link for guests.
2. Hire a wedding planner/day-of coordinator.
You might be thinking of foregoing a coordinator in order to save some cash, but trust us…if you're looking to simplify the wedding-planning process, then a hiring a wedding planner is your best bet. An experienced coordinator will handle all the little details and make sure things run smoothly on the day-of. Plus, they can actually end up saving you money in the long run by hooking you up with their extensive vendor network.
3. Pick a venue or setting that looks great au naturel.
A celebration on the beach or in a cool, industrial space requires very little décor—which means very little effort when it comes to selecting, purchasing, or DIY-ing your decorations. Natural beauty, for the win!
Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens
4. Get married and have your reception in the same place!
Choose a venue that can host your entire event. That way, you avoid the worry and logistical stress of having to shuttle guests from one place to another.
5. Embrace "All Inclusive".
For maximum simplicity, we have two words for you: All Inclusive. Venues with all-inclusive packages provide lots of amenities and services in addition to the event spaces, like on-site coordination, catering, alcohol, staff, rentals, cake, guest accommodations, and more. Talk about a one-stop shop!
6. Give your wedding party fashion freedom.
Take advantage of the mix-and-match dress trend by giving your ladies (and gents!) the color palette/event style you've chosen, along with the freedom to pick their own ensemble. Your wedding party will appreciate your flexibility—and they'll feel better about spending money on an outfit they'll likely wear again!
Ether & Smith | Ace Hotel and Swim Club
7. Shorten the timeline!
There's no hard-and-fast rule that says weddings need to last for 6 hours. Work with your coordinator to pare down your "must do"s and choreograph your event so that it fits into a time frame that works for you—and your budget. In addition to saving some serious cash, you won't have to suffer your party dying as the evening wears on. And, hey, if you and your guests aren't ready to call it a night, you can always gather at your favorite dive for an after-party!
8. Ditch the fluff.
Those custom wedding corn-hole boards you pinned on Pinterest? You don't need them. The hand-calligraphed wooden welcome sign? Sure, it's gorgeous—but will your guests even notice if it's not there? Naaahh! In the interest of keeping life easy-breezy, we suggest only focusing on the things that will make or break your wedding.
9. Remember that it's not a competition.
If your top priority is keeping your wedding simple, don't play the comparison game—it's the easiest way to overcomplicate, overstress, and *ahem* overspend. Remember the entire point of this day: You're getting married to your best friend. And THAT is what matters most.
Want to streamline your planning even further? You gotta check out our Wedding Planning Checklists and Timelines.
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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor