7 steps to make your wedding reflect YOU

With so many wedding style ideas everywhere, sometimes it’s hard to stay focused on what YOU really want. As ideas fly at you from friends, family, and online, it’s important to stay grounded and make sure your wedding is a reflection of your own unique personality and love story.

But how is that possible? Here at Danelle’s Bridal Boutique, our stylists and owners together have nearly two decades of experience in the bridal industry. So, we’ve familiarized ourselves with the challenges each bride faces when planning the perfect wedding. Most importantly, we encourage our brides to follow their hearts when choosing a wedding dress. We’ve compiled some of our favorite ways to stay true to you when styling your wedding:

Photo by Leah Marie Photography

1. Reflect on the way you’ve decorated your home

Home is where you go to unwind. Home is the one place you fill up only with the things you love. Take a look around at your surroundings and observe. Is there a reoccurring theme or color you love to incorporate? Is there a certain smell that makes you feel comfortable? The way you decorate your home is a good view into your personal taste. And often times, bringing certain aspects of your home style into your wedding is what makes it feel most personal. Everyone’s home is different, and everyone’s wedding is different.

2. Think about what you and your partner like to do for fun

What do you do in your free time? The way you feel in your free time should help guide you to the way you’d like to feel at your wedding. Just because your friend had a huge wedding with a 4-hour long reception and a DJ doesn’t mean you need to do the same thing! If you and your partner enjoy relaxing outdoors in your free time, a small, intimate backyard wedding could be the perfect celebration of your love. Each relationship is unique and your wedding should be too. Also, remind yourself that wedding planning in itself should be a fun experience!

3. Start small when planning

Set yourself up for a blissful bridal experience and ease into the planning process. Snuggle up with a nice cup of coffee or tea and start looking for inspiration online. Gather up with your closest friends and make wedding planning into a relaxing experience. Make a wedding inspiration Pinterest board and fill it with things you envision for your wedding day. It could be a collection of colors, quotes, or wedding dresses that make you feel happy and excited. Keep record of your favorite wedding ideas so you have something to go off of moving forward. Focus on the love you have for your partner while planning, and everything will come together effortlessly.

4. Organize your ideas

Categorize your wedding ideas for easier navigation later. Put together a collection of wedding gowns, wedding food, possible venues, florals, cakes, and whatever else is a must-have for your wedding. That way, when you communicate with wedding vendors, you have something to show them. Wedding vendors will give you a ton of ideas, so it’s important to have your ideas at the forefront of your vendor meetings. Remember: this day is about YOU, and you’re the person who knows you best!

5. Make the most of wedding dress shopping

This is the only time you get to shop for a wedding dress. So, you might as well make it fun! It’s the most bridal part of your entire wedding plan. And, it’s a day that’s all about you. Make sure to research wedding dress styles so you have a general feel for what you’re going for. Visit a few bridal shops to get a good variety of options. Your friends and family may have ideas of what they’d like to see you in, but focus on the way you want to feel. Shopping for a wedding gown should be an unforgettable experience.

Also always remember: you can’t rate a feeling! Ranking photos on a scale from one to ten doesn’t do the emotion justice. Trying on wedding gowns is an emotional experience, and it’s important to follow your heart when making the decision. Stay true to what makes you feel most confident and beautiful. And remember – sometimes the dress you’ll fall in love with isn’t the one you expect to fall in love with. Book an appointment ahead of time and bring your closest friends & family.

Wedding dress by Danelle's Bridal Boutique | Photo by Leah Marie Photography // Irena & Colby's California winery wedding

Donut bar and marquee lighting at Irena and Colby’s California wedding | photo by Leah Marie Photography

6. Combine your personal style with your partner’s personal style

Sometimes, it’s a challenge to merge different styles and ideas. But, it is possible, and it can make your wedding extremely personalized and special. Collaborate with your partner to combine your favorite style and design elements. This could be anything from combining your two favorite colors, to featuring both of your favorite foods at the reception. There is no pair out there exactly like the two of you. So, your wedding will be a one-of-a-kind event.

7. Remember the little things

Style is definitely reflected through your wedding gown, your venue, and your color scheme. But there are smaller details that always bring everything together. Whether it’s a signature scent or a family heirloom passed down for generations, the little things mean a whole lot on your big day. No matter what, always remember to have fun and make the most of this once in a lifetime experience!

Danelle's Bridal Outlet & Tuxedo Junction