How To Get Help When Planning A Wedding (Works For All Budgets!)

by | Oct 22, 2020 | How To | 0 comments

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Planning a wedding can be extremely stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing. Realistically, most of you won’t have ever planned a wedding before! This isn’t the type of thing you do regularly unless you’re a wedding planner. Sure, you may have helped your friends/family plan a wedding, but things are vastly different when it’s your celebration! In effect, it feels like you’re staring into the abyss with no clue what your next steps should be. Do you know what you need? Help, and lots of it!

There’s no sense in planning a wedding without getting help from others. You’ll soon find that lots of people are willing to help you – either for free or a fee. Likewise, you can find loads of useful resources by searching in the right places. You can find help from your wedding linen direct supplier to come up with ideas like getting elegant banquet tablecloths, linens, and chair covers to make your venue more attractive. So, this post will pinpoint how to get help when planning your wedding, and it works for all budgets. If you’ve got cash to splash, there are ideas suited to you. If you want to save as much money as possible, you’ll find some budget-friendly ideas as well. This way, everyone can get as much help as possible when planning their wedding!

Hire a wedding planner

We’ll begin with one of the most obvious decisions: hire a wedding planner. Certain people make a career out of planning weddings, so they know everything you must do. A wedding planner will provide expert guidance that’s tailored to your wants and needs. They also have connections to suppliers and venues, which you can use to your advantage. It could be almost impossible to find a good venue without a wedding planner, but their pull and know-how help you get one of the best around at a discounted price. 

That’s one benefit of wedding planners most people don’t think about. The connections they have with suppliers will usually be professional and beneficial. They have special discounts with these suppliers, so you can save a bit of money. It can help to make up for the overall cost of hiring a wedding planner – more on that in a moment! As for the other benefits, the main one is that a planner handles everything for you. They’re a perfect solution for busy people that literally don’t have time to plan a wedding. That can sound upsetting, but it’s true for lots of modern couples. Both of you work full-time jobs, so how can you find the time to plan anything!? Hiring someone to shoulder the responsibilities eases tension and allows you to keep working without worrying about your wedding. If you’re interested in something less formal and more intimate, consider elopement packages.

Yes, the main downside is that wedding planners cost a lot of money. As with all things in life, the precise costs vary based on different factors. The area you live in will be one of the defining factors as some areas are more expensive than others. Of course, the wedding planner’s experience is also taken into account. For some of you, the costs can be too substantial to consider. In which case, don’t worry, there are other ways to get help when organizing your wedding. 

Ask your friends/family

What’s the next best thing to a wedding planner? Someone that will help you plan your wedding for no fees whatsoever! Ask your friends or family if they can assist with all the organization. I’m sure loads of people will be very keen to step up and lend a helping hand. Your parents will likely jump at the chance to help you, especially if they have nothing else to do. It’s a big day for you, but it’s also a special day for them! This signifies a huge moment in any parent’s life, so they’re willing to help however they can. 

Obviously, your friends will assist you as well. Your married friends are particularly useful as they make recommendations based on experiences. Let’s say two of your friends got married last year, and both used the same flower supplier. They rave about how amazing the flowers were, so it’s a safe bet to go and use them. Who knows, some wedding suppliers offer discounts for friends or previous clients. It works almost like an affiliate program where old clients recommend them and get a little affiliate fee. So, you could get a few discounts without needing a wedding planner. 

The only issue is that your friends aren’t professional wedding planners. Realistically, is this that much of a problem?! Who knows, they could have just as much skill as a professional planner, but without the commanding fee. If you’re on a budget and want to avoid hiring a wedding planner, this is the next best thing. 

Online inspiration boards

Next, you can get help from the wider community to plan your wedding. The beauty of the internet is that people often get together to provide advice. More than that, you have specific websites or blogs that collect all the advice together in a simple format. A quick search will lead you to a wedding inspiration board for ideas. These boards are so helpful as they basically put together loads of similar themes and styles that you can look at. They’re one of the best ways of getting ideas on how to style and plan your wedding theme. To make things even better, they’re usually provided by wedding planners or former brides that want to share tips.

As a result, you have loads of free information to use as you please. Look through these inspiration boards for tips and guidance on what you could do. You’ll find some that offer advice on weddings abroad, specifically themed weddings and cultural weddings. If you have an inkling of an idea for how your wedding will plan out, inspiration boards help you put the pieces of the puzzle together. At the same time, they’re just as good at providing ideas for someone that doesn’t have a clue where to begin. 

Online forums

Continuing with the theme of community, online forums are a fantastic place for brides-to-be. You can find loads of great wedding forums after a quick Google search. Here, you will see different communities and posts from people in the same position as you. Future brides will ask questions that are duly answered by other people. Again, you could see actual wedding planners answering these questions and posting in forums. Or, more likely, it’s people who have been married before and want to share some wisdom. 

I like forums for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it lets you know that other people have the same problems as you! If you feel bad for struggling to plan your wedding, you’ll soon notice that everyone else is in the same boat. As a result, you can find questions relating to your struggles that have already been answered. Secondly, forums are the best way to get specific advice about things relating to your wedding. You can ask a very specific question and receive advice from hundreds of people. Also, forums are 100% free, so you don’t have to pay a penny.

Naturally, you will find loads of different online forums. If you’re looking for a good place to start, take a look at the wedding planning subreddit. Reddit is one of the most popular networking/forum sites online, and this subreddit has hundreds of thousands of users. The more users there are, the more chance there is of receiving lots of advice!

Books & magazines

Finally, you can get help from books and magazines. Again, a quick look online will point you towards loads of wedding planning books that can be a huge help. These books are usually written by experienced wedding planners revealing some of their best tips and tricks. It could be a brilliant way of gaining advice from a wedding planner without paying loads of money. Books are relatively cheap and will provide you with lots of useful information. The best thing is, you can buy as many as your budget allows you to. Some people may only want one book, but others could buy two or three to get more advice and different perspectives. 

Then, you have wedding magazines. Effectively, these are a lot like wedding inspiration boards, only in print form. They also kind of merge with wedding planning books, only more diluted. In essence, you get loads of images and ideas in the magazines, along with professional tips and interviews. Any shop that sells magazines should have a decent supply of wedding-themed ones. Or, you can order them online for a small fee. Again, it’s another way of getting assistance without breaking the bank. 

Hopefully, these ideas have given you some tips on how to get help for your wedding. At the end of the day, wedding planning shouldn’t be stressful. It often is, which casts a dark mood over proceedings. You start to feel bad because this is the best moment of your life, but you’re so stressed and annoyed. This is easily solved by utilizing as much help as you possibly can. As this guide shows, you can easily find assistance, regardless of your budget.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle