Hot Takes from the Planning Desk: What to Love (and Leave) This Season
Every planner has opinions - and after hundreds of weddings, I’ve got a few strong ones.
Some trends deserve their moment. Others need to bow out gracefully before they trip the band’s timing or clutter an otherwise seamless design.
This month, I’m sharing a few honest hot takes from the planner’s side of the aisle - the ones we only admit after the last sparkler has faded.
The “Last Dance” Moment
Leave it.
It sounds sweet in theory, but logistically, it’s a nightmare. The timing always interferes with the band’s rhythm and disrupts guest flow. While I love it for couples who want a quiet, private close to the night, it’s rarely executed without several inconveniences.
Weddings for the Sake of Publication
Leave it.
If your first priority in planning is getting featured, you’re already missing the point. The most breathtaking weddings - the ones editors actually want to publish - come from couples focused on getting married, not getting press. When intention drives design, the rest follows naturally.
Intimate Weddings
Love it.
But if you’re going to do one, make it matter. Don’t go small just because it feels easy. Go small because it feels personal. And if you’re going big - go all in.
Patterned Bridesmaid Dresses
Leave it (mostly).
A few prints balanced with solids can feel fresh and romantic. But when every bridesmaid is wearing a different floral pattern, the result veers into visual noise. Cohesion doesn’t mean matching - it means harmony.
Reception Toasts
Love it - within limits.
Three voices is the sweet spot: the father of the bride, and if needed, the maid of honor or best man. Beyond that, attention wanes, drinks get warm, and the pacing of the evening stalls. Short, heartfelt, and well-timed always wins.
Matching Planner Attire
Leave it.
I used to love it - it looked unified and professional. But lately, it reads too staged. Authenticity has more presence than matching black jumpsuits ever will. A polished team doesn’t need uniforms to prove they’re a team.
Disposable Cameras vs. Polaroids
Love the disposables. Leave the Polaroids.
Disposables capture unfiltered moments without creating a mess or requiring guests to reload film mid-reception. They add a touch of nostalgia without slowing down the celebration.
Kids at the Reception
Leave them home.
There’s a time for family, and there’s a time for dancing barefoot under the stars. A reception is a space for guests to unwind, toast freely, and enjoy the evening without supervision duty.
The Takeaway
Some traditions will always endure - the father-daughter dance, the champagne toast, the quiet share moment between newlyweds just after the ceremony. But knowing what to leave out is just as important as knowing what to include.
Weddings evolve, and that’s the beauty of them. The best ones still feel timeless, even when they break the rules.
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