If you’re planning a wedding and you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, feeling anxious most of the time, or getting more overwhelmed or cold feet by the day, then here’s some good news for you: you’re not alone.
In one of the industry surveys, at least 40 percent of couples said that wedding planning is extremely stressful. Over 70 percent claimed it could even be more nerve-racking than other life events, including landing a new job.
The stress can come from many factors. Think of budget, guest list, and even food. It may also be because of confusion. How do you exactly create an excellent wedding?
To answer this question, you may want to look into how these celebrity couples did it:
1. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
While the rest of the world is busy picking up the pieces from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, singers and the Voice judges Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani quietly said I Do. In fact, it was so silent and low-key that most didn’t know until the photos appeared.
How did they do it? They got married on Shelton’s Oklahoma farm in a chapel he purposely built for the wedding. The couple also invited only a few people—no more than 50, in fact.
Now, you may not have a budget to make a chapel from scratch. But definitely, you can find equally charming outdoor destinations for your wedding. For example, you can have a barn as the venue of the wedding. It has the same cosy, rustic feel as Shelton’s ranch.
2. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Probably one of the most non-traditional Hollywood couples today is Kirsten Bell and Dax Shepard. They don’t often hog the headlines, they keep themselves out of the limelight when they don’t have projects, and they seem fun and laid-back people.
It isn’t surprising then that their wedding choice reflects their personality. Bell and Shepard waited until same-sex marriage became legal in California. When it did, it didn’t take too long for them to head to—not to a glitzy hotel or a majestic church—the Beverly Hills courthouse.
In less than 30 minutes in 2013, they became man and wife. Overall, they proudly spent no more than $150 for the entire ceremony. That definitely pales in comparison to the average wedding cost in the UK at over £30,000.
3. Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Liam and Miley might have called it quits around a year in their marriage, but let’s face it, a lot of people cannot forget their wedding.
They both made their relationship paper official at Miley’s Tennessee home a few days before Christmas 2018 while surrounded by their friends and family. However, the story mentioned that the couple originally planned it in Malibu before the California fires burned it down.
The loss was devastating, but based on the black-and-white pictures the singer/actress uploaded, it seemed everyone still had fun. Their pockets are sure happy as well since celebrating in their home made the cost more budget-friendly. This allowed Miley, and future brides out there, enough cash to splurge on something they want, like a wedding dress.
4. Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney
What do you do when you want your wedding to be more intimate, but you’re both celebrities, so you have many guests to invite? You can get inspiration from Amal and George Clooney.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2014, organized a three-day affair for friends and family who came from different parts of the world. They treated them to canal rides and parties and celebrated with the two in Hotel Aman, a seven-star hotel with a view of Italy’s Grand Canal.
But it turns out this wasn’t the official marriage ceremony. That happened last—and quietly—as the couple and probably a few close friends and loved ones trooped to a thirteenth-century palace for the official civil rite.
Why would you consider doing this, though? Not all couples want to turn their wedding into a huge event with lots of fanfare, and interestingly, not all guests actually want to be there from start to finish. By doing this, you will achieve a win-win: have an intimate ceremony while avoiding disappointing friends and family.
Couples want to make their weddings different. But sometimes, when you feel lost and confused, it can help to know how others did it. Fortunately, you don’t need to look far. If some celebrity couples don’t inspire you with their marriage, they can certainly give you ideas on planning your weddings.