Introduction Our idea of a perfect wedding is one where guests walk away declaring, “Wow, that was so them!” Yes, we want the food to be fabulous. Yes, we want the guests to have fun. But most of all, we want your wedding to be an experience that truly reflects your unique partnership, a party that only you could throw. Don’t get overwhelmed—we’re here to help.
Wedding planning always begins with a rush of images, from memories of weddings you’ve attended to the thousands of real wedding stories on The Knot. It’s thrilling to see those couples and how their weddings came to life, but what about yours? You don’t want to risk losing yourselves in the treasure trove of inspiration. As for trends—what will be overdone before you even say “I do”? It’s a lot to consider. So how can you make the most of the resources available to you while making your wedding your own?
Start by reminding yourself that you already know what you like and ultimately what you want. You two are the most important element here—it’s your moment to show the world exactly who you are as a couple. Before you get carried away with the details (though we’ll certainly get to those), take a moment to reflect on what you find most meaningful—or most fun—about your dynamic duo. Is it how you always find a way to make each other laugh? If so, make sure to squeeze some jokes into your vows. Is there an activity you enjoy doing together? Find a way to weave it throughout the day’s décor. A reference to something as small as your Sunday night pancake dinners (pancake bar at a black tie wedding? Yes, please!) will go a long way to making your day feel like a true representation of you two. It’s the personalized details—not the ones you feel pressured to include—that will stand out in your mind and in the memories of your guests.
And don’t be afraid to create your own traditions. If everyone in your town gets married at a hotel, but your heart is set on celebrating at the summer camp where you met when you were 12, do it. We’ll make sure you’re covered on everything from the rustic ceremony to the bonfire after-party. If you want to exchange vows at the same church where your parents did decades ago, go for it. We’ll help you find ways to honor their event and still set the two celebrations apart.
Welcome to The Knot take on weddings. We know the rules, but we’ll help you break them brilliantly.
We want your wedding to be truly your own.
Copyright © 2017 by Carley Roney and the Editors of TheKnot.com. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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