24 Wedding-Planning Secrets That Only Pros Know

August 05, 2016
Jessica Claire

Our editors and industry insiders share their best day-of tips and tricks.

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Kate Headley
Essential Info to Know Before Mailing Your Invites

This may be your first time down the aisle, but it's not ours. We polled our editors and other top industry pros for behind-the-scenes secrets that will help you make the most of your big day.

Stationery Cost-Cutting 

"If you're going with an expensive printing process, use it for the invite, and have the supporting pieces flat-printed." —Elisabeth Engelhart, associate art director

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Floral Dos and Don'ts

Katie Stoops Photography
Incredible and Cost-Effective Faux Flower Ideas

"Flowers cost a lot, so skip them on the bar and along the aisle. Nobody will miss them." —Brooke Porter Katz, senior editor

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Brand Yourself

Jose Villa
Creative Wedding Signs

"Have a logo designed (seek out affordable design websites) and a stamp made. Use it on favors, bar signs, and menus for chic branding on the cheap." —Cara Sullivan, contributing editor, and owner of Wild Floral Design, Chicago

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Stocking Your Bar

YunHee Kim
Signature Cocktails by Spirit

"Overstaff the bar! You can't have too many bartenders. It's a surefire way to keep guests happy—no one wants to wait at a party." —Kristin Newman, founder and owner, Kristin Newman Designs, Charleston, South Carolina

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Tasty Takeaways

Belathée Photography
Edible Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love

"Go for edible favors at a destination wedding, so guests don't have to squeeze them into a suitcase." —Calder Clark, owner and creative director of event design firm Calder Clark, Charleston, South Carolina, and Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Non-Ceremonial Cake Cutting

Jessica Claire
Our Favorite Wedding Cakes

"After the first cut, have your caterer slice and garnish the cake out of sight. There's nothing worse than watching a sous chef hack away at your beautiful, towering cake." —Calder Clark

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RSVP Card Hack

Elizabeth Messina Photography
Wedding Invitation Etiquette Tips

"Number R.S.V.P. cards before mailing (on the back, in pencil) to keep track of anyone who doesn't respond or forgets to write his or her name." —Jamie Moore, co-owner, Sinclair & Moore Events, Seattle

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Get a Vow Booklet

Beau-Coup.com
Wedding Vow Booklets You Can Buy

"Write vows in pretty notebooks, or tape them into a vintage book. A folded piece of paper is not superelegant." —Cara Sullivan

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Party On Party People

Shawn Connell / Christian Oth Studio
Songs Guaranteed to Get Your Guests on the Dance Floor

"When in doubt, spring for the extra hour of reception time—people will always want to party more." —Michael McCormick, design director

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Practice, Practice, Practice

KT Merry
How to Get the Most Out of Your Dress Fitting

"Ladies, bustles aren't part of your everyday wardrobe. Eliminate day-of confusion by taking a how-to video during a fitting." —Shira Savada, real weddings editor

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A Two-Lengthed Bustle

Elizabeth Messina Photography

"Since you're probably going to take off your heels at the reception, ask your seamstress to make two bustle lengths. When you're barefoot (or in flats), your dress won't be too long." —Lauren Sozmen, owner, Loli Events, New York City and Paris

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Rosy Lipstick

Jessica Peterson
The Best Long-Lasting Lipstick

"Nude lipstick will wash you out in photos. Go for a true rose—it will translate as the perfect pinky-nude shade." —Melissa Milrad Goldstein, beauty director

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Styling Services

Lauren Kinsey
10 Things You Didn't Know You Needed on Your Wedding Day

"Consider a styling service to help the bride dress, steam bridesmaids' dresses, and manage the groom and groomsmen." —Lyndsey Hamilton, creative director, Lyndsey Hamilton Events, New York City and Lenox, Massachusetts

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Bobby Pins are King

Charley Star Photo
Fast Fixes for 4 Wedding-Day Wardrobe Malfunctions

"Have a few bobby pins on hand, even if you don't need them for your hair. They'll be your secret weapon for getting out of a dress with a row of fabric-covered buttons." —Shira Savada

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Rings and Wedding Bands

Brumley & Wells
How to Buy a Wedding Band You'll Love

"If you're buying a diamond eternity band, size up by a quarter—you want room for your finger to expand and the flexibility to stack rings. It's very hard to adjust it after the fact, and a little too big is better than too tight." —Gregory Jezarian, owner, G. Jezarian Purveyor of Fine Jewelry, New York City

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Have a Plan B

Judy Pak Photography
How to Prepare for Rain on Your Wedding Day

"If you're getting married outdoors, have a rain plan that makes you genuinely happy. There's no such thing as a weather magician!" —Lauren Sozmen

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Hire a Videographer

Mademoiselle Fiona
Wedding Videography Myths Debunked

"It's worth the money. My family has film footage from my grandparents' 1946 wedding, and I treasure it." —Shira Savada

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Floral Placement

Mademoiselle Fiona
Flowers for Every Part of Your Wedding

"Epic floral installations are memorable, but have your designer scope out the HVAC situation before you commit. A heating vent aimed at flowers could toast them." —Sullivan Owen, owner and creative director, Sullivan Owen Floral & Event Design, Philadelphia

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Keep Your Jewelry Shining

Liz Banfield
Cool Pieces of "Something Blue" Wedding Jewelry

"Put jewelry on last. Hair spray, perfume, and makeup can dull diamonds and ruin pearls." —Colleen Banks, associate style editor

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Keep Your Head On

Erich McVey
Beautiful Ideas from Beach Weddings

"Beach wedding? If you're wearing a floaty headpiece, veil weights are a must for keeping it in place." —Cara Sullivan

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Action Shots

Hannah Hudson Photography
Adorable Photos of Kids at Weddings

"For great kid photos, give them a role: Maybe they lead guests in a parade to the reception, or sit on pillows at the ceremony spot." —Corbin Gurkin, owner of photography company, Corbin Gurkin, Charleston, South Carolina

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Technology Dos and Don'ts

Katie Stoops Photography
11 Things Wedding Photographers Wish They Could Tell You

"Guys, take your phones out of your pants pocket—especially if you're in a slim-fit suit. It's not a good look." —Shira Savada

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Unplug Your Wedding

Heather Waraksa
The 10 Social Media Commandments for Your Wedding

"I can't endorse an unplugged ceremony enough. That way guests will stay actively engaged in what's going on (and their phones will stay out of any professional shots)." —Shira Savada

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Appreciation is Key

Tips for Writing Your Thank-You Cards

"Always, always send thank-you notes. And not just to your guests, but to your vendors, too. These people put their heart and soul into your big day, and a simple note can mean a lot." —Shira Savada

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