7 Unexpected Tips From This Seasoned Wedding Planner

Whether you’re going it alone or working with a wedding planner, these are the seven principles one of the world’s most thoughtful wedding experts wants you to consider before you begin. From the macro – vision and planning – to the micro – style and personal touches – these are the quiet essentials that shape not just the day, but the feeling of it.

Header Image: Mae&Co

“Pushing your planner to go into full design mode more than eight months before your wedding can actually work against you.”

There’s something curiously still about the early stages of planning a wedding. Whether it’s your first time or not, the beginning always feels a little like a blank page – new, charged, full of possibility. You start bookmarking colour palettes at midnight, noticing linen folds and lighting moods at restaurants, and catching your breath when someone casually mentions guest numbers. It all begins as play. But somewhere in the midst of joy and anticipation, it becomes clear: creating something truly meaningful (and seamless) takes more than taste. It takes insight. Timing. Flow. And a kind of invisible choreography that only becomes visible in hindsight.

Enter Manda Worthington, the strawberry-blonde force behind Mae & Co Creative, quietly shaping some of the most considered weddings around the world. Endlessly creative – yet calm, precise, and deeply grounded – she not only designs and plans, she teaches the next generation of wedding planners, too. “As a wedding planner, I’ve seen firsthand that the most memorable and seamless weddings aren’t just about aesthetics or budget,” she says. “They’re about thoughtful decisions, intentional flow, and a deep understanding of what today’s couple actually needs.”

In this feature, Manda shares the unexpected but essential wedding planning tips she gives her clients time and again – the kind that make all the difference, whether you’re building a team or going it alone.

“Traveling across the country – or the world – deserves more than just a single evening of celebration. You don’t need to overdo it, but offering at least two days of events gives guests time to settle in, connect, and feel part of the experience.”

1. Don’t Rush the Design Phase

Design is one of the most exciting parts of planning, but it needs time to breathe. “Pushing your planner to go into full design mode more than eight months before your wedding can actually work against you,” says Manda Worthington, founder of Mae & Co Creative. “Trends change quickly – and so does your taste.” Allowing your vision to evolve leads to something more grounded. “Give yourself space to live in the engagement. Let inspiration unfold naturally. That’s when you land on something that actually feels like you.”

2. Design a Weekend, Not Just a Night

“If you’re planning a destination wedding, it’s important to recognize what your guests are investing to be there,” Manda says. “Traveling across the country – or the world – deserves more than just a single evening of celebration.” You don’t need to overdo it, but offering at least two days of events gives guests time to settle in, connect, and feel part of the experience. A welcome party and a send-off brunch are simple, thoughtful ways to show appreciation – and elevate the entire atmosphere of the weekend.

3. Protect the Flow with Thoughtful Transitions

One of the most overlooked elements of wedding planning? The logistics between key moments. “Not airfare, but everything else,” Manda explains. “How guests are getting from the hotel to the ceremony, from the reception to the after party, and back again.” Poor transitions and clunky timing can fracture the day’s energy. “These are the types of details that seem small but have a huge impact,” she says. “A smooth timeline is about more than just punctuality – it’s about protecting the mood.”

4. Never Skip the Rehearsal

In a packed weekend, skipping the ceremony rehearsal might seem like an easy way to save time – but it comes at a cost. “The ceremony is a pivotal moment,” says Manda. “Running through it in advance brings so much calm.” Knowing where to walk, stand, and pause means less thinking and more feeling. “It’s not just about logistics – it’s about energy. You’ll be more present. Everyone will.”

5. Reconsider Ceremony Seating

Ceremony seating is often treated as an afterthought – but it sets the tone for everything that follows. “Assigning seats, especially in the front few rows, clears up confusion and ensures your most important people are exactly where they should be,” Manda explains. It prevents awkward shuffling and helps your photographer capture the moment beautifully. “It sounds small, but it’s the kind of thing that makes everyone feel considered and present.”

6. Rethink the Wedding Party

Couples are increasingly rewriting the tradition of the wedding party – and for good reason. “You don’t need eight people in matching outfits with formal duties just because it’s always been done that way,” says Manda. Instead, she suggests inviting a few close friends to be part of the getting-ready moments, without the pressure of titles or expectations. “It’s more flexible, more personal, and honestly, a lot more fun.”

7. Hire a Stylist (Seriously)

“One of the most overlooked investments is hiring a stylist for your wedding wardrobe,” Manda says. “And it’s a game changer.” This isn’t just about the dress – it’s about the full arc of the weekend. “A stylist can help you curate looks for the welcome party, the ceremony, the after party – every moment. It’s about creating something cohesive and reflective of your style, without the decision fatigue.” Plus, she adds, “It makes the whole process of getting dressed feel less overwhelming – and a lot more enjoyable.”

Finally, it’s worth remembering that a good planner doesn’t build your timeline at random. Every element – lighting, energy, movement, weather – is taken into account to shape not just the sequence, but the experience. “When we suggest an earlier ceremony start time or a slightly longer cocktail hour, it’s not arbitrary,” says Manda. “It sets the tone for everything that follows. Trust the rhythm – we’re designing more than just a party. We’re designing how it feels to be there.”

To see more of Mae & Co’s work, visit the website.