5 Things Your Wedding Planner Secretly Doesn’t Like
Over the years, we’ve been to so many venues and seen so many different types of weddings (both as the planner and as a guest). We’ve watched wedding traditions evolve, decor and floral trends come in and out of style, and helped our couples navigate industry changes.
We LOVE what we do and helping bring your wedding day to life is what we’re all about! But, there are some things we just don’t like to see at weddings...
Disclaimer: we’re about to be 100% honest, because that’s the type of wedding planners we are.
Here are five things that your wedding planner doesn’t like to see at weddings:
1- Pampas Grass
Starting out with a hot take: pampas grass is one of those things that we strongly dislike. We know pampas grass has become a really sought-after decor element — it’s so unique looking, and boho is very on trend right now. However, there’s something you need to know about this decorative grass.
It sheds, constantly. And when it gets on you, it’s itchy. Did you know, the DNR actually considers pampas grass to be a potentially invasive plant? Pampas grass spreads really easily (remember, it sheds, all the time) and because of this, it can crowd out our ecosystem’s native plant life. By incorporating pampas grass into your wedding, you might be negatively impacting the environment!
As your wedding planner, we’d love to help you find fun alternatives to pampas grass that will still give you all the texture and boho vibes!
Mixed dried and fresh florals for all the texture!
Floral design by Hive & Hollow. Venue: La Pointe. Photo: Kendra Lauck
2- Disposable Service Ware
There are a shocking number of catering companies that still offer plasticware as their standard. We get it, it’s considered “budget-friendly.” While it may save you money, it will also completely impact the look of your wedding and guest experience. It’s totally not sustainable and… it looks cheap. We cringe every time we see plastic plates on the buffet, plastic barware, styrofoam coffee cups, or those “reflection” utensils your caterer tells you are an “upgrade” (newsflash: still plastic).
Real plateware, glassware, and utensils are more presentable and make the meal more formal, like you’ve really invited your guests out to dinner. They’re also better for the environment than single-use items. On that note, if you’re having a mini dessert bar, please choose something other than those seemingly-cute-but-super-wasteful plastic cup dessert shooters.
Romantic place settings for Savannah and Cayle!
Rentals via: Apres Party. Venue: The Barn at Stoney Hill. Photo: Vanessa Lee
We have to admit, it is so satisfying when our couples tell us they ruled out a potential wedding caterer simply because that company didn’t provide or couldn’t offer china plates or flatware (or because they upcharge $14 just to serve your dinner like a real meal).
If you’re looking to lower your wedding costs, don’t sacrifice real plates and utensils. Let us help you re-evaluate your budget, so you can still have a presentable dinner AND stay in-budget.
3- Aisle Runners
Have you ever seen those “wedding fail” videos? Aisle runners have gone on our list as one of the top things we strongly dislike at weddings for two reasons.
One, they are an absolute trip hazard. Shoes and heels can easily get stuck in thin aisle fabrics, and if you’re hosting an outdoor ceremony and there’s any wind, good luck keeping it laid flat! If you must have a traditional aisle runner, it should be carefully staked down. That said, if the aisle runner is already in place when guests arrive, rather than having someone like your ushers roll the aisle out before you walk (which is a whole other struggle), your guests will be walking on it as they are seated; your crisp clean white runner might not be so pristine for your walk down the aisle.
Second, we think fabric aisle runners are so outdated. In our humble opinion, you don’t need to “add flair” with an aisle runner for your entrance; YOU are the flair. But, if you want to add some extra pizzazz to your walk down the aisle, there are plenty of alternatives such as creating a walkway out of vintage rugs, adding uplighting or using cold sparks down the aisle, or having a small section of dance floor installed.
4- Unnecessary Timeline Gaps
Nothing ruins a party more than an awkwardly long gap between your ceremony and reception, or if dinner starts too late. If you have an early ceremony, say 2pm, expecting guests to linger or entertain themselves until a 5pm social hour won’t be the best experience. We know this can sometimes be the case for church weddings, which is why we always recommend picking a reception venue that’s within 15 minutes of the church and starting your reception within an hour of the ceremony service concluding.
In instances where the couple decided not to have a first look, the majority of wedding party and family photos will need to happen after the ceremony. That’s actually why the “cocktail hour” exists! If you have a large wedding party or extended family, you may need to plan for longer than an hour. We recommend no more than 1.5 hours, otherwise, dinner will start abnormally late. If you do have an extended social hour, make sure your guests are well-fed; our rule of thumb is to double your appetizer order. With more time to drink, you’ll want to ensure there are plenty of hors d'oeuvres to go around — no one wants to get “hangry” while waiting for a late dinner.
Again, it’s all about the overall wedding experience and making the day as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
5- Random Guest Favors
And finally, please no more random guest favors with your names and/or wedding date on them. While at the moment you’re thinking “these are a cute remembrance of our special day” in reality, a lot of them are “been there, seen that” type items. Think of the weddings you’ve been to; did you really want another koozie or deck of cards with someone else’s name on it? Hey, we’re keeping it real here!
Single-use disposable items are also a no-go in our eyes. If you’re set on providing favors, choose things that are edible or practical. Custom sugar cookies are always a hit and everyone loves chocolates or mints! Packets of wildflower seeds can be planted and matchbooks actually get used (at least by us – we use matchbooks from past weddings to light our living room candles all the time!). One of our favorite guest favors we’ve seen was a biscuit bar for guests to take dog treats home!
The cutest wedding favor — dog biscuits for your pups!
Venue: Hidden Greens. Photo: Picard Photo
Matchbooks! This is a traditional wedding favor and one that’s still a great idea! Venue: Minneapolis Golf Club. Photo: Eric Vest Photography
Guest favors can be fun and we love thoughtful touches, but remember, there is no rule that you need to give guest favors. Your guests came to celebrate with you, and they don’t expect anything in return.
So be honest with us, did any of these make you cringe?
We’re sorry but it needed to be said! As your wedding planners, we want your wedding to be the best experience for you AND your guests. Hopefully, these considerations can help you improve the overall wedding ambiance and experience for everyone.
If you’re struggling with your wedding vision or how to create the perfect flow for the day, let us help!
