From the moment you announce your engagement, it can feel like an overwhelming flood of questions and unsolicited advice, as well as opinions you may or may not want. To help navigate this exciting but often stressful time, we turned to our past clients for their insights on what they might have done differently with their own weddings. The following points are definitely worth considering as you plan your big day.

"Looking back on my wedding day nearly five years ago, there is one thing that has been weighing on my mind. We made the decision to forego the traditional receiving line after the ceremony in order to take photos and save time, opting instead to greet our guests at the reception. While this plan seemed sound, the reception was held downtown, about 20 minutes away from the ceremony location in our local town. As a result, some of our elderly relatives decided against making the drive downtown, and we were unable to express our gratitude for their presence on our special day. I deeply regret this missed opportunity and wish I could have done things differently." Lindsay - Chicago

"I was hesitant to ask my bridesmaids to spend a significant amount of money on a dress they would never wear again. As a result, I decided to give them the freedom to choose their own dresses, with the only requirement being that they had to be the same color. I encouraged them to select a dress they liked and would be happy to wear again. Although some may prefer the uniformity of matching dresses, I personally loved the diversity and uniqueness of each bridesmaid's dress. They all opted for black cocktail dresses, which looked stunning together." Heather - Chicago

"In hindsight, I realize that I should have taken more time to make some key decisions when planning my wedding. With an engagement in April and a wedding in September, I had just five months to plan everything! While it's possible to have a beautiful wedding with a short engagement, I wish I had given myself more time to consider what I wanted certain aspects of my wedding to look like." Sarah - Chicago

"I found that having a destination wedding with a small group of close family and friends helped make our special day more intimate and personal. While we didn't have a traditional reception, we organized a group outing to a local attraction which allowed us to spend quality time with our guests in a more relaxed setting. I regret not hiring a wedding planner to help with the logistics of planning a wedding in a foreign country. While I thought I could handle everything myself, it ended up being more stressful than anticipated. Additionally, while our photographer did a great job capturing the ceremony and formal portraits, I wish we had budgeted for a videographer to capture the speeches and dancing. I learned that it's important to prioritize the elements of the wedding that are most important to you, rather than trying to do everything. Lastly, I enjoyed adding personal touches to the decor and favors, which added a special touch to the overall experience." Amy J - Chicago

*At Big Day Photo & Video, we are passionate about capturing the most special moments of your wedding day through our exceptional photography and videography services. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing you with a personalized and stress-free experience, ensuring that every detail is captured with creativity and care. We offer customizable packages to fit your unique needs and budget, whether you're looking for engagement photos, wedding day coverage, or destination wedding photography and videography. Choose Big Day Photo & Video for exceptional and timeless wedding photography and videography services in Chicago. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and let us help you tell your love story in the most beautiful way possible. Our goal is to provide you with stunning memories that will last a lifetime.