Devin is weeks away from saying “I do,” and she has learned a few things.
Written by Devin Lacy
Nobody really warns you about how quickly the time between getting engaged and getting married passes. My fiance proposed in July of 2021 at a u-pick flower field in Pennsylvania. I was about to start the last year of my master’s program, and, despite everything we had going on at the time, I was sure a year would be more than enough time to get things planned.
Wow, was I wrong.
Now that I’ve blinked, we’re about a month out from our October wedding, and we are scrambling to finalize the last few details. To share our woes and triumphs, I’m going to bring you along as I get closer and closer to saying “I do.” I’ll share monthly updates on what we’re working on, some reasoning behind our decisions, and tips for your own big day.
Depending on when you read this, I am probably working on a laundry list of wedding-related tasks: finishing centerpieces, placing orders, updating the RSVP list, and putting together favors, to name a few.
My fiancé and I are only three weeks from becoming Mr. and Mrs., and there are all sorts of feelings floating around us at the moment—excitement, nervousness, stress, and a lot of love for each other and the people supporting us every step of the way. I look back over the journey and laugh over what I know now. What we’ve managed to accomplish is astounding, but there have been many lessons learned.
Here are a few things I think you may want or need to hear, because I wish I had sooner.
Trust your support team.
If you’re planning your own wedding or are completely type A like me, it can be difficult (and even anxiety-inducing) to delegate responsibilities to other people. However, these people are by your side for a reason! Let them in on your vision so they can make the best and most informed decisions on the big day without having to seek you out with a million questions. If they are anything like ours, they’ll be ready and more than willing to jump in and help out where needed, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Everyone has an opinion, and they aren’t always useful.
In the year we’ve been planning our wedding, my fiancé and I have come to the conclusion that weddings just bring out an interesting energy in people. The influx of opinions, suggestions, and advice can be really overwhelming and make you second-guess your own ideas and choices. Keep your goals and desires for the day close, tuning out the noise—it’s your day, after all. Make it what you want it to be. There’s no such thing as pleasing everyone.
Everything doesn’t have to be perfect.
Despite how it may feel right now, your wedding doesn’t have to be perfect, and it probably won’t be in any way that matters. Read that again, please. We put ourselves through so much stress and strain trying to make sure every detail goes off without a hitch that we can’t even enjoy the important moments when they arrive. Weddings are meant to be full of joy, excitement, and fun—and not just for the guests attending. So enjoy yourself without worry over color schemes or place settings. All that matters is ending the day married to your person, right?
When it’s all said and done, this day is for you. Make sure you are able to look back and remember it—don’t let it slip by in a haze of exhaustion and stress. You will have done all you can do in those days leading up, so sit back and enjoy it as much as you can. We’re rooting for you!