Is Defining Wedding Priorities Essential? Here's How to Do It

Sooo, you’re planning a wedding, and of course, you want it to be absolutely perfect, right? Like from those Pinterest boards, haha. But before you get, y’know, knee-deep in details like the color of the napkins or what kind of chair bows to use (seriously, why are there so many options for everything?), it’s like, super important to figure out what matters most to you and your partner, right from the start.

I guess having a clear sense of your wedding priorities makes the whole planning shenanigan way less stressful. And it sorta makes sure your big day’s gonna match your vision – whatever that looks like. Let’s go through some tips and stuff on how to pin down those wedding priorities, and hopefully keep the stress monsters at bay.

Why Should You Define Your Wedding Priorities?

So, the first thing when you start planning this whole shindig, you gotta understand your priorities. These priorities, llike, shape the whole event, guiding you to know where to splurge, where to save some bucks, and how to balance that budget without (hopefully) going bankrupt, haha. It’s like having a roadmap and, like, knowing these key elements means your big day ends up reflecting your unique style and all that jazz.

A wedding planner I read about, Chanda Daniels, puts it in a nice way—something llike, “when you know what matters most, everything from the venue to the décor aligns with those priorities and makes it feel all personal and meaningful.” So yeah, getting your priorities sorted from the get-go lets you make more intentional decisions. It helps cut down on the stress, y’know?

breakfastfordinner11-Reddit user wrote:

“In our case, what we most value is:

The mood. We want it to feel low key, intimate, and low stress. Maybe almost casual. This is ultimately why we chose a microwedding.

The photos. My partner’s mother recently received a terminal diagnosis, so it really put into perspective that we want these memories with our loved ones immortalized.

The food. Because everyone has a good time at a party when the food is top notch!“

What Is the Role of Your Budget in Setting Priorities?

So, about budgets and stuff—your budget and priorities kinda go hand in hand, right? Once you’ve sorted out what’s important to you guys, like, your budget kinda tells you how to make it happen without going crazy, spending like everything, and trying to include it all.

I hear weddings can get pretty pricey, so locking down your must-haves early means your spending matches up with what matters most to both of ya. I have heard of event planners who specialize in setting top priorities upfront. She believes it helps streamline your spending so you focus on your must-haves.

So, let’s say you prioritize having the fanciest food or the prettiest floral arrangements ever, you’ll probably need to shuffle some cash from, I dunno, the venue or photography to make it work. So knowing your priorities means you can spend, like, wisely and not blow your cash on stuff you care less about.

How Can Defining Priorities Minimize Conflicts?

We all know wedding planning can get crazy stressful, right? And sometimes, thn, they end up causing disagreements with your partner or even, like, family members. Figuring out your priorities early helps you prevent some of those arguments.

When you’ve nailed down what’s essential to both of you, you can avoid the squabbles over things that, in the grand scheme of things, don’t really matter as much.

That way, everyone involved is, like, on the same wavelength before you dive into the logistics and planning chaos. For instance, maybe one of you dreams of grand décor, and the other just cares about having the best live music in town.

If you talk about these priorities right up front, you skip the drama later. These chats help make sure there’s some mutual understanding, so you can both work through the other details with less fuss.

How to Start Defining Your Wedding Priorities?

Starting small can be the key sometimes, right, when you’re figuring out what matters for your wedding. It’s super easy to get overwhelmed with all the options out there.

So, maybe just start by focusing on the big picture. Sit down with your partner, maybe over coffee or some wine, and chat about your vision. Like, what do you want the vibe to be like? Is it an intimate little gathering, or do you want a full-fledged party with everyone you know? Are there any cool family traditions you wanna include? This initial brainstorm sesh sets the mood for the rest of your planning journey.

Once you’ve got this overall picture of what you’re going for, you can like, narrow it down to specifics. Like, what are the certain must-haves that, like, make the wedding feel right for you both? Are you into food, entertainment, or décor more? Some folks might be all about the outdoor ceremony with minimal décor, while others want a major, extravagant reception with bands and a fancy cake. It’s all about finding what clicks for you two.

How Can a Wedding Planner Help You?

So, wedding planners can be lifesavers in this whole process, right? They’ve got all this experience and industry know-how that can really help you solidify what your priorities should be, and how to stick to them. Planners can guide you in making choices that suit your vision, whether you’re imagining some fancy destination wedding or keeping it local.

Then the planner can help you shape a budget around those and connect you with vendors who are on the same page. For example, if top-tier food and an awesome guest experience are your things, the planner knows which caterers or venues will match up with your priorities, making sure everything’s just as you want.

Should You Consider What You Don’t Care About?

So, figuring out what you don’t give two hoots about is just as important as, like, highlighting what you do want. There are gonna be tons of options and decisions to make, so it helps if you establish what’s not on your radar.

Like, with all the specific decor details, entertainment choices, and styles of wedding invites—cutting out what doesn’t matter makes life easier, right? Laura Ritchie talks about how eliminating options can sometimes be easier than focusing on choosing what you want.

By knowing what’s less important, you can narrow down your choices more and save yourself from this decision fatigue from having, like, way too many options, you know?

So, like, if you don’t really care for an extravagant floral deal but you’re all about a swanky reception, you can allocate your resources that way—with less hassle.

Why Is Being Specific Important?

Being specific about your priorities is super crucial, I think. It just makes it easier to achieve them. So instead of, like, saying you want “good food” or “fun entertainment,” try to focus on what makes those things special for you, ya know? Like, is there a certain cuisine you’re dying to have, or do you want a specific band to play? Getting specific helps you set concrete goals and makes sure your vision materializes, right?

Instead of just being like, “I want good food,” say what dishes you’re dreaming of. Is it more like a formal plated dinner or casual buffet or maybe a bunch of food stations with world cuisines? Being specific lets your planner and vendors really get what you’re after, reducing the chance of miscommunication and helping your dream day become reality.

How Can You Align Your Mood with Your Priorities?

Besides all the practical aspects, like, think about the atmosphere you wanna create on your big day. Do you want it, like, romantic and intimate, or more like an energetic, fun atmosphere? These emotional priorities should also guide how you budget and make your decisions. I mean, if a lively celebration is your top priority, you might wanna put more money into a live band and, like, an open bar to bring that party vibe.

If something cozy and intimate is more your jam, you might opt for a smaller venue, warm lighting, and some personal touches. By identifying these emotional goals, you’ll make sure your wedding day feels exactly like you dreamed.

Think about the overall energy you want to convey through décor, lighting, attire, and stuff. All these elements should back up the mood you’re going for, making your wedding day cohesive and true to your priorities.

How Can You Consider the Big Picture?

With every decision you make, like from choosing the venue to the guest list, it should all line up with your overall wedding priorities. Like, think about how each choice impacts the rest of the celebration. If you’re prioritizing, let’s say, gourmet food, maybe cut back on, like, the more expensive décor or venue options to keep it all within budget.

A well-thought-out plan ensures, like, everything works together harmoniously to support your top priorities, making it all that more memorable. If you’re going with a rustic barn venue, make sure the décor and details match up with that vibe. If you’re tight on budget, maybe cut back on, like, super extravagant floral arrangements that don’t really add to the vibe.

How Can You Communicate Your Priorities with Your Family?

Your family members are, like, definitely going to have their own thoughts on your wedding. Communicating clearly what your priorities are, helps manage expectations and stops misunderstandings.

By bringing your loved ones into the fold early on, you can make sure everyone’s aligned on the vision and budget for your wedding. Having these open chats with family lets you express what’s important to you while also being mindful of their opinions. It’s also a chance to resolve any, like, concerns or conflicts before things get outta

In case you need assistance regarding Wedding Planning Services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our proficient team at VNV Events.

Autor / Editor : Jonathan Moreno

Jonathan Moreno is a South Florida Digital Marketing expert with over 12 years of experience with passion for creating hight value content to educate and bring value to visitors.