Wedding Planning Advice Our West Virginia Wedding Venue Would Give If We Weren’t Worried About Getting Canceled
- evermoreridgewv
- Aug 26, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 27, 2025
Weddings come with an abundance of expectations — from family, friends, social media, Pinterest strangers and possibly your fiancés ex-girlfriend (or boyfriend) who you know is judging your every move on Instagram. But if we could strip it all back and just be honest — like really honest without the concern of offending someone — here’s the wedding planning advice our small-town West Virginia wedding venue would give without fear of being canceled. With that said, please don't cancel us...
1. Stop Inviting People Out of Guilt
We’ll just say it: if you wouldn’t take someone out to dinner, they don’t need to be invited to your wedding. You’re not running a charity or hosting a high school reunion. This is a deeply personal event, not a chance to please every distant cousin or old high school friend. If guilt is your only reason for sending an invite, save the stamp. We know this is easier said than done and are well aware the guest list is one of the most tedious and stressful parts of wedding planning. Once you've completed your guest list, stick to it and know ahead of time, you will not be able to please everyone.
2. Your Wedding Is Not a Content Shoot
You don’t need a TikTok-worthy moment every 5 minutes. You’re not creating a highlight reel for your 200 followers on Instagram; you’re making memories for you. If the day starts to feel like a brand campaign instead of a celebration of love, it's time to recalibrate. The goal isn’t to go viral — it’s to feel something real and be in the moment. Trust us, the day will go by in a blink of an eye even when trying to be present.
3. Too Many Opinions Will Ruin You
Asking one or two trusted people for input? Smart. Asking 12 different friends, your mom, your mother-in-law, and your hairstylist? Chaos. The more opinions you gather, the more confused and overwhelmed you’ll be. Narrow it down to 2 or 3 choices you like, then ask your fiancé or your most trusted friend for their opinion. This isn’t a group project — it’s your once in a lifetime wedding.
4. The Budget Is Real. The Pressure Is Fake.
Repeat this to yourself: You do not need to go into debt to prove you’re in love. The venue, the dress, the tablescapes — all of it is optional. Love isn’t measured in the cost of your wedding, your open bar or the exotic flowers that make up your centerpieces. Spend what you can, where it matters most to you, and ignore the Pinterest comparisons. Your financial future matters more than someone’s fleeting “aesthetic” approval.
5. If People Are Offended, Let Them Be
Someone’s mad they didn’t get a plus-one? Another person’s upset over the remote West Virginia wedding venue location? Take a deep breath, then move on. If everyone walks away happy but you, what was the point? It's your day. You are not required, and physically cannot, manage everyone’s emotions — just your own.
6. You Don’t Win a Medal for DIY-ing Everything at Your West Virginia Wedding Venue
Yes, DIY can be beautiful and meaningful — but not if you’re crying into mason jars at 2 a.m. the week of your wedding. There’s no special award for DIYing every part of your wedding and it certainly isn't worth it if you will be completely burned out before you even walk down the aisle. Delegate. Simplify. Pay for help if you can. Your peace is worth it.
7. It’s Not Just About You
This one may be the most controversial but true: while it’s your big day, it’s also a deeply emotional day for the people who raised you. Your parents (or other close family) may have been dreaming about this moment since you were born. Let them have a moment in the sun too — as long as it doesn't disrespect you. Weddings are about love, and that includes the love that brought you to this point in your life.
Bottom Line
You’re not planning a spectacle. You’re planning an intimate ceremony celebrating love and a lifelong commitment. Keep it authentic, keep it manageable, and above all, make sure it feels like you.
Weekly Shoutout
Our locally owned West Virginia wedding venue is dedicated to using our website and weekly blogs to support other locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues are small businesses that need support in ways that is not always recognized but vital for their long-term success. This is why in every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 links to other locally owned wedding venues who also use their blogs to support their colleagues in the wedding industry.
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