How to Create Your Vision, Values, & Vibe
Having trouble staying within budget and allocating to what’s important? Spending hours of back-and-forth emails with vendors forgetting where you left off in the process, and needing to remind yourself what you wanted in the first place? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
At Emily Dumont Weddings & Events, we take our clients through a thoughtfully-curated planning process: The Dream Day Method. Before we jump into the fun stuff (budget management, booking a vendor team , design consultation), there’s a few steps we need to take so the bride and groom are fully aligned with their goals for the wedding weekend.
Establish Your Vision
If you could have any type of wedding in the world, what would it be? No really, the sky is the limit in this exercise!
Do you imagine saying your “I do’s” outside along the water? Or in an intimate garden? Maybe you’re dreaming of dancing under the stars with a view of a city skyline, or making toasts inside a vintage barn. Before you begin this exciting, new step in your relationship, where do you envision celebrating with your loved ones? What time of year is this taking place? Maybe you met during the holidays, and a winter wonderland wedding screams “this is us.” Or you & your fiancé are HUGE foodies (I definitely like you already!) and your favorite cuisine like seafood, fresh fruit, ahi tuna tartare - speaks summertime.
Establish Your Values
Do you feel intimidated when someone asks you: “Hey, what are your values?” Yeah, me too. Values can be difficult to pinpoint as they may have changed over the course of your life. You may be thinking, “How does this relate to planning my Dream Day?” let me give you the inside scoop.
Values dictate how we make decisions and ultimately serve as a guide to how we live our lives. When you first become engaged, it’s important to sit down with your partner and establish what the two of you value in your relationship. Do the two of you share a passion for health or fitness? Maybe you love laughing and being silly with your partner? Or you put high importance on transparency, honesty, or kindness? Some couples put more value in financial stability, while others appreciate adventure and spontaneity. When you can gather a list of 5-7 values, then that ultimately becomes the foundation of your wedding planning.
Now that you know your values as a couple, it’s time to narrow in on your values for the wedding day. What vendors are going to help create the most iconic celebration for your friends and family? Which part of the vendor team is most important to the two of you? Entertainment, floral, photography, videography, catering, bar - just to name a few. Now, what moments of the day do you value in a wedding? Maybe you are reading your vows in private, and those moments with your future husband are the most precious to you. Or maybe you have a bridesmaids squad of 11 girls, and you cannot wait to get in your robes and jam to your favorite Taylor Swift songs with mimosas in hand. Or maybe your three siblings are doing a combined speech, and you just can’t wait to hear what they have to say.
Establish Your Dream Day Vibe
“It’s a VIBE.” Let’s talk Dream Day vibe. Now that we know the vision & values, it’s essential to define your vibe. Your aesthetic. The “look and feel” when guests walk into your wedding venue. Are you envisioning light & airy with a splash of color and romance? Or maybe this is a black & white affair, and you are hoping for all things classy, timeless, & luxurious. You could also be looking for a boho-chic or rustic fairytale vibe. What speaks to you?
How do you want your guests to feel? It there a sense of comfort and relaxation or high-energy and joy? What type of environment are you looking to create for your loved ones? Is it casual or formal?
Nailing down your vision, values, & vibe will allow you to actually enjoy throwing the most iconic, true-to-you, memorable wedding for you and your guests. This trifecta will act as the anchor for all decision-making. Next steps: Plan & Design!
Hi, I’m Emily
As your wedding planner, I’m here to capture your vision, help you navigate every decision, and advocate on your behalf to ensure you get the day of your dreams while still delivering an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
By keeping your vision, values, and vibe at the center of planning, I'll help you navigate every decision and remind you of what's important to you as a couple while having fun along the way to "I do.”