How to handle unsolicited advice + unwanted opinions

Have you just gotten engaged or started your wedding planning?

Everyone is SO EXCITED for you to take that next step in your lives.

And then the questions start:

⚡️ have you picked a date?

⚡️ have you found a venue?

⚡️ who’s your photographer/florist/planner?

And right after that, the advice starts - whether you’ve asked for it or not:

🤯 “You’re buying a second hand wedding dress? Why?”

🤯 “You chose what for the entree? No one is gonna eat that!”

🤯 “Ask your vendors for a discount, or offer to pay cash!” (This one is a COMPLETE OTHER STORY)

Family and friends do mean well, and even unsolicited advice comes from a good place, but it can be very overwhelming to deal with. And what worked for them is going to be completely different to what’s going to work for you.

Here are a few tips to help you handle the advice that more than likely will be thrown your way:

Make sure you’re on the same page as your partner:

In addition to being on the same page about your choices and decisions about the wedding, you need to be on the same page about who you involve in the planning process - and how you will take advice when it is dished out to you. Your day is about you guys as a couple, and you’ll be the main decision makers throughout the process

Don’t ask for opinions or advice if it’s only going to annoy you to receive it:

Hot tip - if you don’t want the advice, don’t give anyone the opportunity to give you any. Seek advice and from the professionals or those that you trust and no one else. You don’t really need to know what Aunt Betty thinks about your flower choice, so don’t ask for her opinion - and you won’t feel overwhelmed or down about her answer when it’s not the one you were looking for.

Consider hiring a wedding planner (or support person!):

Hearing differing opinions and all this advice from all areas can be frustrating and overwhelming and can throw you off course. Hiring a pro will ensure you have a trusted friend and confidant in your corner while you’re navigating your planning journey. It’s also a great buffer for when that advice does come your way - you can use us as the “bad guy” and tell family and friends that “our wedding planner said…” This definitely makes things a lot easier!

Take all advice that you will get with a grain of salt - unfortunately it’s gonna happen. And if you are looking for specific advice, talk to a pro - we do this every single day. We know weddings 😇

Moral of the story - do you babe! It’s your day and you can create your dream day to look however you’d like it to look (but maybe check the fiancé approves first yea? 😉😆)