Ep. 34 What Wedding Etiquette REALLY Means with Merrill Ashley Events

We’re talking about wedding etiquette with wedding planner Merrill on this episode of Dream Day Radio. Merrill has been in the wedding industry for almost six years. Her journey into the industry actually got started in high school, at which time she was teaching cotillion classes. Merrill emphasizes that the goal of learning cotillion is not to be polite, but actually to ensure others feel more comfortable.

The number one mistake couples make in their wedding day etiquette is forgetting that the whole day is a party and an event that you’re hosting. The more comfortable your guests are, the more comfortable you will be. Hiring a wedding planner to help you manage the needs of others by anticipating them ahead of time can take a lot of pressure off on the big day.

Incorporating your story as a couple into your wedding day can make your wedding feel that much more special. Merrill remembers one couple who got engaged on a boat, and they used that story in various ways during the wedding to make it more personalized. Merrill encourages couples to write down everything they love individually and as a couple, and then bringing that into their wedding planning process.

Merrill is getting married in November and is excited for her moment to walk down the aisle. Aside from having clear expectations, she recommends following the 80/20 rule: 80% classic and 20% unique and fun. That way, you don’t get caught up on trendy aspects that might be out of style in the next couple of years. This also reduces the overwhelm some couples feel with all the options they have in the planning process.

If Merrill had a magic wand, she would wish that couples would give themselves more time to enjoy the experience. She would love to see more extended weddings or wedding weekends. Adding in other events such as a welcome brunch or a more involved rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity to make even more memories around your wedding.