Planning a wedding is always challenging. If you have recently become a parent, your baby is lucky to be a part of your big day. To have the best possible memories of that day, you need to have good organization skills, a lot of patience, and all the help you can get. To make your wedding baby-friendly, start with timely preparations. This article will list some helpful tips on planning a wedding when you have a baby.
Reconsider the wedding location and budget
When you have an infant, your wedding budget may need some adjusting because your priorities will be different from before. If you've planned a wedding before your pregnancy, carefully consider if it is still suitable and affordable, and avoid many wedding budget mistakes.
An adults-only wedding ceremony in a tropical beach bar may no longer be an option. You’ll need to make some compromises, but in the end, you’ll enjoy the big day even more, with your little one nearby.
Simplify the wedding
If you find enough reasons to change your plans or simplify them, that's alright, but you need to move quickly on any bookings you have previously made. If you're honest and upfront, most wedding suppliers will be flexible as much as possible. Maybe you want to downsize your wedding and have an intimate restaurant celebration and an after-party for other guests.
If you decide to change the plans, don't worry too much about your guest's reaction. Your loved ones will be excited about a new baby, and they will understand the change in plans. Many wedding-planning apps can help you keep track of everything. Planning a wedding when you have a baby means that time spent perfecting the space is minimal. Choose a location that includes everything you need (tables, linens, silverware, and decorations) and save yourself a lot of time and stress.
Seek professional assistance
Planning a wedding when you have a baby can be overwhelming. You'll be so relieved if your friends and family are willing to help you with the organization and all the details. Many people choose to hire a professional wedding planner to have a stress-free wedding day. The feeling of reassurance that someone is in control of everything is just priceless. Taking care of yourself, taking care of your baby, and taking care of all wedding details is just too much for one person. That's why a helping hand will mean the world to you.
Find a perfect dress
When searching for a perfect dress for your post-baby body, be kind to yourself. If you have already found a dress before the pregnancy, probably you'll have some doubts about whether it is still the right one. After a few alterations at your tailor's, it will probably fit you, but the question is - how do you feel about it? Is it still the dress you fell in love with? Try not to stress too much about weight gain during pregnancy and be as healthy as possible. With a balanced diet and workouts, you can quickly get back in shape.
You need to have a plan B and be open to what happens if your planned dress doesn't work out anymore. Find a new one in which you'll be comfortable enough to dance and which will look amazing in photos. Just follow your intuition instead of blindly following the current fashion trends. In case you haven't chosen the wedding dress before pregnancy, the same advice applies.
Find a babysitter for the wedding day
Ask someone to look after the baby on your wedding day. It can be a relative or a grandparent, or even more of them. You'll need time as a couple, and of course, you'll need time with your guests.
When it's feeding time, time to change a diaper, or time for your infant to sleep, you need to know that one person will be happy to go with a baby and make sure everything is taken care of. You can also hire a professional babysitter to be there - if that would make you feel more relaxed.
Remember to prepare a baby emergency bag. Include all necessities your baby needs daily. Make sure to pack spare clothes, extra food and snacks, a hat and sunscreen for a hot summer day, and a blanket if you're having a wedding on a cold day.
Plan a wedding day timeline and photo shooting
The wedding day is a very long day so organizing your baby's schedule is a priority. When you already know that a person will attend to the baby's needs and eventually take the baby home (or to your hotel room) at a specific time, you can relax and plan the wedding day timeline.
Discuss with your photographer about the photo shoot with a baby. Maybe you'll want to take a few photos with your child privately and spontaneously, rather than pose with a baby in countless group photos. Dressing your baby in a cute outfit is an absolute must. Just remember that the photos you take that day will become memories for a lifetime. Make sure to choose fashionable yet comfortable clothes for your bundle of joy. Shoot all pictures with your baby first, and remember to bring something that will keep the baby's attention and smile on their face.
Couple’s time
You're just getting used to parenthood, and you have an endless to-do list for your wedding day. With all the stress and rush, you probably feel like you haven't been really connected with your partner in ages. Set aside at least 30 minutes, or an hour per day for a couple's time. You can have it after the baby falls asleep at night. Then you can watch a movie, share a drink, or chat. Reconnecting with your soon-to-be-spouse will help you be carefree on your big day. Book a pre-wedding spa treatment a few days before the wedding day to completely relax.
Honeymoon destination
Whether you’re going to have a honeymoon or not is up to your choice and finances, but you’ll have to include your baby in all plans and think about the baby’s needs.
If you had already made a booking for a honeymoon before your pregnancy, consider if it is still doable now with your little one. Consult with your travel agent - check if some changes are possible and then decide.
Final thoughts
Remember this: if you are planning a wedding when you have a baby, everything is completely doable; you just have to be slightly more organized than others. A wedding is all about celebrating love and the special relationship you have built with your partner. We wish you good luck and many happy memories on your big day.
This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any companies or products mentioned or linked within.