Real Couples Reveal: Pro Tips & What They'd Do Differently

Are you wondering what it's really like to get married at a Wedgewood Weddings venue? We reached out to couples who recently tied the knot with us, and they were eager to share their experiences, insights, and helpful tips for making the most of your big day.

From navigating the planning process to enjoying the wedding day itself, these real-life stories offer a wealth of knowledge and practical advice. Discover what these newlyweds learned along the way! Their firsthand accounts provide a unique perspective on what it takes to create a successful and stress-free wedding day at a Wedgewood Weddings venue.

Join us as we dive into the pro tips, insider knowledge, and lessons learned from real couples who chose Wedgewood Weddings for their special day!

couples reflect on THE PLANNING PROCESS

Everyone talks about how time-consuming wedding planning can be, but two-thirds of couples found that the time they spent planning their wedding was either in line with their expectations or took less time than they had anticipated. 

I'm glad we found an option that allowed us to enjoy our engagement versus spending a lot of time planning. Natalie, Bel Vino Winery bride

Wedding planning can be daunting, but the majority of couples who tied the knot with Wedgewood Weddings found the process relatively stress-free. In fact, an impressive 67% of respondents reported feeling either no stress or only slight stress while preparing for their big day. As Michael, a Pacific View Tower groom, put it, "The lack of stress was both surprising and amazing!"

Flexibility is key when it comes to wedding packages, and many couples who celebrated with us found the packages to be even more adaptable than they initially anticipated. This flexibility allowed couples to personalize their wedding day to suit their unique preferences and needs. As Natalie from Bel Vino Winery shared, "We liked not having to search for, vet out, and book a whole bunch of vendors for individual parts of the wedding." Couples were pleasantly surprised by the versatility, which provided a solid foundation while still allowing for personalization and creative freedom. Kristiann, who tied the knot at Fallbrook Estate, summed it up beautifully:

"Wedgewood Weddings gives you a great blueprint for the wedding. It can be as involved or not involved at all, and it would still be a great event. You can add extras on your own. You can find your own vendors if you want. We did not feel limited at all. Because of the process, we actually felt completely free." 

WHAT COUPLES WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY

When asked the question, "What one thing would you do differently if you could go back?" the consistent response from couples was "more time." Looking back on their special day, 30% of newlyweds wished they had allocated more time for their wedding celebration. Whether it's extending the reception to savor more moments with loved ones or dedicating extra time for photos and enjoying the venue, many couples realized that time is a precious commodity on their wedding day.

As Canopy Grove bride Alexa shared, "I would have added an extra hour of event time so we could boogie a little more!" This sentiment echoes the desire of many couples to make the most of their celebration and create lasting memories with their guests.

PRO TIPS from real couples

Throughout your planning journey, it's essential to find ways to make the process enjoyable and manageable. Katrina, a Fallbrook Estate bride, shared a fantastic tip for staying organized and on track: "The best advice we were given was to take one night a week for wedding planning. We called it 'wedding wine night' where we would pop open a bottle of wine and talk all things wedding. The rest of the week, we would take notes of ideas that came up about the wedding and share them at the next wine wedding night." By dedicating a specific time each week to focus on wedding planning, you can minimize stress and ensure that you're making steady progress toward your big day.

When it comes to budgeting, one area where couples were surprised by the cost was flowers, with 51% of respondents expressing that the expense was higher than they initially anticipated. If flowers are a top priority for your wedding vision, it's a good idea to allocate a larger portion of your budget to this area from the start. By overestimating the potential cost of flowers, you can ensure that you have sufficient funds available to bring your floral dreams to life without facing unexpected expenses down the line.

Many couples found that choosing a Wedgewood Weddings venue offered excellent value for the cost. As Pacific View Tower bride Denise shared, "All in all, we were happily surprised with the costs associated with the venue. For a beautiful venue that's pretty close to being an 'all-inclusive package,' it was incredibly affordable."

Another crucial piece of advice comes from Jarvis, who celebrated his wedding at Carlsbad Windmill. He reminds couples to keep their own desires and preferences at the forefront of their wedding planning: "In our opinion, all the stress, time, and hard work we put into planning was well worth seeing the vision come to life and having most of your family and friends in one central location to celebrate your love. Additionally, we realized after the wedding was over that the opinions of others shouldn't matter as much as what you want for your wedding day. The day is about the individuals getting married, and that's who should be at the center of it all." While it's natural to want to accommodate the wishes of family and friends, remember that your wedding day is ultimately a celebration of your love story. Don't be afraid to prioritize your own vision and make decisions that truly reflect who you are as a couple.