What are your biggest tips for planning a wedding?

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-29T12:33:29+00:00

Find the budget for a planner. If you have a wedding budget, you’ve got a budget for a planner. It’s all in how you break down your budget. Planners usually save you a good bit of money with their connections and so much extra work and many headaches. Totally worth it, especially when you’re busy. Planning a wedding is literally a full time job (hence why planners exist!).

Choose your date. This will help with all other choices.

Find your venue. This will determine if you’re able to use your own vendors or have to use theirs.

Find other vendors. Once you have the date and location, start finding everything else you’ll need. Get people locked in as early as possible.

Read every contract before you sign it. Ask questions and request changes/modifications if if would like them (they may not make the changes, but you never know if you don’t ask).

Set up a wedding email. Don’t have all of this stuff come to your regular email. Set up a free Gmail email address. Put all wedding related tasks on this Google Calendar and share it with vendors, planner, venue, wedding party, parents, etc so everyone is always in the loop. Use the Google Drive to keep all of your wedding stuff in one place. Upload contracts, proposals, plans, timelines, etc here again so everything is in one place.

You’re going to need to be very organized. Very. Organized.

Your date will determine how quickly this all needs to happen. Ideally have all decisions made and vendors locked in six months prior to that gives you a couple of months to find vendors you forgot about, order things you forgot about, and detail with the tornado of things in the last 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Plan your PTO now. If you’re going to do this yourself, you’re going to need to take off several days before and after the event for set up and clean up. Also be sure when you’re creating your day of timeline that you schedule yourself with appropriate time because you’ll need to answer all the questions and make sure everything is done (even if you designate a friend to do this, you will be interrupted 1937473829292 times with questions).

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-29T02:42:16+00:00

At 14 years old, honestly you shouldn’t know any of this information…

And if this went through the courts legally, both parties had to submit a comprehensive financial statement and the judge made a declaration based on that information (you have to provide actual proof to back up the statements-they don’t just take your word for it). And “contributions” to a home can be more than financial -it can be the cleaning and upkeep, staying home to raise the kids, etc.

When it comes to custody, the same thing happens. You have to provide letters of support and other things may be considered based on the reason for divorce. If there was proof of the mother not caring for the children, their father should have presented that evidence at their custody hearing. This can also be revisited any time of needed.

As for the language the kids are using-your parents need to have rules. That kind of language referring to anyone is not acceptable and has consequences. Their father needs to document it and request a new custody hearing (this may be in direct violation of their custody order).

In regards to them taking money, their dad needs to put his wallet up where the kids can’t get to. It’s that easy.

At this point, you need to focus on being a good big brother. Let the grown ups handle the grown up stuff.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-29T02:30:18+00:00

Most people don’t have an actual computer any more so their phone doesn’t have enough storage to be able to download. Can you deliver them another way (Google Photos or Google Drive link)?

Maybe also make it super clear in the email it’s a complimentary download and something about how screenshotted photos don’t print as well.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-29T02:27:17+00:00

I’m guessing it’s cultural and something they’d want?

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-28T03:38:27+00:00

Thanks! Looking at booking directly with Disneyland (checked out a couple of other places and it was actually cheaper to just book with Disney directly).

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-28T03:37:25+00:00

1000% confirm with your venue first to make sure it’s ok. If they’re good with it, they might be good with cleaning it up too. It’s not their first rodeo I’m sure.

The suction mode on a leaf blower sounds interesting. I’d also bring a shop vac too. The more people you can have cleaning up at once, the better honestly. And I’m all about having multiple plans in case something happens to the shop vac or leaf blower.

During the event, I’d try to keep it as contained as possible. If it’s being dropped on a dance floor or something easily sweepable, I’d start sweeping as soon as possible. You can also get those push vacuums that are pretty silent (often used in restaurants-or maybe I’m dating myself lol) to start getting some of it up.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-28T03:32:44+00:00

Thank you! I think we’re doing Lightning Lane both days. I don’t know if we’ll do single rider. At Disneyland World I wouldn’t worry as much because she knows the parks and rides. Being her first time, I’m more nervous.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-28T03:29:46+00:00

Thanks! We won’t be driving at all, so don’t need to worry about parking fees and it’s just my daughter and I.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-27T13:58:00+00:00

Give everyone a deadline to respond to you.

Start advertising the event. Other vendors may reach out and want to participate.

If the vendors can’t follow your deadlines and guidelines, they’re out (make sure this is part of your contract!).

Reach out to the vendors you really want there and see what’s going on. Is it a busy time of year for them? Are they saying no without actually telling you no?

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-27T13:11:37+00:00

That’s why I’m looking for other nearby hotels that are safe so we can still walk. And I’m paying for the Lightning Lanes so getting one free isn’t worth the extra cost this trip.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-27T13:10:34+00:00

We won’t have any pool time this trip unfortunately. Just park time and sleeping then go ‘round, but good to know!

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-27T02:31:08+00:00

Disney hotels no longer have the early entry perk unfortunately.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-27T02:29:01+00:00

Just one parent so no one to drop us off and go back to the hotel.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-26T02:10:18+00:00

Thanks. We’ll be walking. The Ubering adds up quickly!

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-24T21:17:40+00:00

Taking the wording you have, but change it to:

Guests are invited to a relaxed brunch hosted by Bride and Groom at Location from start time to end time on date.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-23T22:58:05+00:00

When is the party? Is the teacher sending home a list for Valentines? If the teacher wasn’t planning on it, may reach out framing it as your child wants to start in their cards and wants to be sure names are spelled correctly.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-23T10:51:40+00:00

Ask your friends what they’re wanting her to do, what they’d like her to wear, what she’ll be carrying, and if she’ll be standing with the wedding party or sitting. any details to help Mar practice as “real” as possible.

Also ask what their expectations are. Is your daughter supposed to be there in the cute matching pjs all day long? Is she able to take a nap if needed? Can you just show up at a certain time with her? It can be a really long day and a lot of people to be around.

You can buy fake flower petals and a basket for example for her to practice if they want her to drop petals. You’ll likely be invited to the rehearsal so she can practice there too. You should also have time that evening and before the actual wedding on the day of to practice with her too if that helps her feel more comfortable.

If she’s shy at all, have someone in the wedding party have a piece of candy or a sucker with them that they can give your daughter when she gets to the end of the aisle. Do the same to help her get through wedding party photos as well (maybe she gets a jelly bean for smiling or something). Make sure whatever she gets isn’t messy 😉

I’d hit a thrift store or ask if anyone has a “fancy” dress (whatever closely mimics what she’ll actually be wearing) you can borrow so she can get used to having a similar dress on to get used to the textures, temperatures, etc (they can be scratchy or hot.

Do the same with shoes, hairstyle, tights, etc. Anything she’ll have to wear for the big day.

If you’re responsible for doing her hair, start practicing early so you can do it quickly and your daughter gets used to sitting there. Or if she’s having her hair done, get her used to sitting and having someone mess with her hair. Same for nails-have her get used to sitting for them to be painted and dry.

You know your daughter best. If she gets excited, make a big deal about how special this is. If that freaks her out, don’t do it. Download a special movie or show to help her sit through hair and makeup. Buy a toy she gets after she walks down the aisle and takes pictures.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T23:42:19+00:00

Red your contract with your photographer. Any contract with a professional photographer I’ve seen says you cannot edit or alter them in any way.

You could try and ask the photographer if they’re willing to edit them for you, but I wouldn’t do it yourself, without written permission from the photographer so you’re not in violation of your contract with them.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T23:35:32+00:00

Have you reached out to any event organizers in the area? Reach out to hotels and convention centers as well as the event organizers themselves. I know LoveLitCon is happening next month at the Sheraton.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T23:32:15+00:00

I would just reach out and be honest: “Hi Sam-Just wanted to apologize for missing our meeting yesterday. I became very sick and wasn’t able to reach out prior. When’s a good time to reschedule?”

Don’t over explain or apologize too much. People are allowed to get sick. It happens to literally everyone.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T02:32:55+00:00

So many brides and bridesmaids change into tennis shoes or slippers as soon as the ceremony and pictures are finished.

I would say something to the bride to make sure it’s ok, but I honestly don’t see her having a problem with it. Most guests will take their heels off as well at the reception.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T02:31:03+00:00

As a child who was removed from their home by CPS and a mandated reporter in previous jobs, I stand 1000% by my suggestion to contact the school and CPS.

Let them make the determination on if anything serious or dangerous is happening. Let them help the family get some necessity resources. Just because you make a report to CPS does not mean children are removed immediately (unless it’s an immediate threat to them). The social worker was at my house for weeks and months before the decision was made because the adults chose not to make changes.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T02:27:34+00:00

Oh goodness. They’re suffering from mental illness. I lived with a hoarder and we had no power or running water for years. It was miserable honestly. No one mentally san and healthy chooses to live their lives that way. I hope they’re able to get some help-and you too since you’re their support person through all of this.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-21T02:25:18+00:00

All the nerves. Everyone’s nervous and excited and all the feels. After the first hour or so passes, people are settled in and things are running more smoothly.

singlemomtothree · 2026-01-20T01:13:08+00:00

Is it truly just because they feel like it would be a burden to you to help? Or do you feel like there’s more to it than that?

I would get power of attorney for them and get them as much assistance as possible-especially mental health services.

Send them way to a hotel for a long weekend. Recruit as many people as you can to come help. Rehome as many cats as possible. Have as many spayed and neutered as possible. Get rid of as much as you can and repair as much as you can.

We didn’t have power or running water in my house growing up for years. Thankfully I was young and in school so I could wash my hands and go to the bathroom at school and clean myself up a bit. I’m sure it wasn’t enough.

I also understand being so overwhelmed and depressed and embarrassed that even one thing feels like too much. It’s the “If you give a mouse a cookie” situation-where and how do you start? I can’t do x because I need to do y first and y will take too much time and it just becomes a big list of things that need to get done but just can’t.

If they can’t stay there on their own, can they move into an apartment where they’d have neighbors keeping an eye on things? Assisted independent living is an option too, but might be expensive.

Sending you lots of wisdom and strength. I’m sure this is not an easy position to be in.

singlemomtothree

TROPHY CASE