Branch Blog Vol. 2: Your Voice Matters
Staying True to Yourself During the Planning Process: Your Voice Matters
Wedding planning can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel the pressure to conform to traditions or suggestions from others. But here’s the thing: your wedding day is about you and your partner. It’s about celebrating your love, your unique bond, and your story. And in that process, it’s so important to stay true to yourselves and your vision. Your voice matters—let's bring it to the forefront and make sure you’re designing a celebration that reflects who you really are.
Guarding Your Voice
I remember one particular moment from my own wedding planning that sticks with me. My matron of honor, someone I deeply trust, was guarding my voice—and thank goodness for her! My planner, in a not-so-pleasant moment, told her that having a memorial set up next to my cake was "tacky." Imagine that: my wedding planner speaking badly about my tastes in front of my matron of honor. It was a bold move that felt really off, but my matron of honor immediately stood up for me. She told the planner that her comment was rude and that I wanted to have my loved ones present, honoring them during such a special day.
That moment reminded me how important it is to stand up for yourself during the planning process, even if it means challenging the opinions of professionals or loved ones. Your wedding is a reflection of who you are and what matters most to you. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. It is also a reminder to have people who will have your back through the entire process. Your bridesmaids should be your rocks and you should trust that they would do the same as my matron of honor did for me. She guarded my voice even when I was not able to guard it myself. (Shout out to Liv, my matron of honor)
Embrace Your Nontraditional Ideas
You don’t have to follow every wedding “rule” or tradition to have a beautiful, meaningful day. I went nontraditional with my guest book, and I’m so glad I did. For my rehearsal dinner, I had guests write messages on a large white tablecloth—something that I still adore. The handwriting of my loved ones, captured on that cloth, brings me so much joy whenever I see it. It’s a simple, yet incredibly personal way to remember those who celebrated with us.
When it came to my wedding day, I continued to break from tradition by incorporating something else that was uniquely us. As many of my readers know (or may not), I’m from Dallas, Texas, and my husband is from London. So, we had a British phone booth set up at our wedding with an audiobook inside, combining both our cultures in a way that felt authentic to our love story. Some people may have thought it was quirky, but for us, it was perfect. (Also a fantastic photo op!)
It’s Your Day, Not Anyone Else’s
The most important thing I learned throughout my wedding planning process is this: it’s your day. It’s your chance to tell the world who you are as a couple and to celebrate the love you’ve found in each other. Don’t let anyone pressure you into decisions that don’t feel right for you. Embrace the things that reflect your personality, your relationship, and your story.
You don’t need to conform to anyone’s vision except your own. There will always be opinions, advice, and suggestions along the way, but at the end of the day, the wedding day should be a true reflection of you. So stand up for yourself, make decisions that feel authentic, and take pride in the choices you make.
I want you to know that I will forever be in your corner. I’m here to remind you that it’s okay to be bold, to be nontraditional, and to follow your heart when it comes to your wedding plans. Stay true to who you are as a couple, because when you do, you’ll create a celebration that is deeply meaningful and unforgettable.
Trust your instincts, cherish your voice, and celebrate in a way that makes you both happiest. Your wedding day should be exactly that—your day, no one else’s.