He also cautioned that they be mindful of their budget, because, in today’ s society,“ it’ s okay not to invite everyone that you’ ve ever met to your wedding.”
He said, so often in South Georgia, people get so caught up in the guest list and who’ s attending that they have to make sacrifices within the budget to accommodate that large guest list.
“ And there are so many details that are often missed-out on because the budget has been tied-up with inviting everyone. Remember that you’ re still going to be loved and respected by your peers, even if they didn’ t all receive an invitation,” he added.
He encouraged couples to really think about the things they loved and enjoyed and also things that were important to their families. He said, for example, if they have a grandmother whose favorite flower is a hydrangea, then use it in the wedding. He said anyone could look on Pinterest or Instagram or on social media to find a flower arrangement that’ s in trend.
“ However, the most special weddings are weddings that are planned with purpose and intent. Meaning behind them. That every detail is thoughtfully curated. And, to me, that is the most important thing of all. That your wedding is a direct reflection of you and your family,” he said.
He added that was the most important suggestion that he could possibly ever give: to let their wedding be as unique as they are. He encouraged couples to be creative with their menu, their floral and their linens, among other things.
As far as what the first thing someone should do when they are planning a wedding, Corey said it was to set a budget and to be realistic with the budget.
“ Really look at the bigger picture. Look at what it is exactly that you want to accomplish. Make a list of …‘ These are the must-have things that I have to have at my wedding.’ And plan accordingly. Weddings are expensive. The prices increase each and every day,” he said.
He also suggested ranking on a scale of one to ten how important something is to have at the wedding and invest accordingly.
Also, he doesn’ t recommend waiting more than a year to have the wedding after getting engaged. A year is more than sufficient to plan a wedding, he said.
“ The longer you plan a wedding, the more money that it is going to cost,” he said.
He said what happens with brides that plan a year and a half out is that they see more things out there after their budget is already established and they keep changing their minds. Time is money, he added.
“ Get your core team together. Select your florist. Get on their calendar. Select your venue. Select your photographer. Select your caterer,” he said.“ Also, in that, know that you don’ t necessarily have to know, today, what you’ re going to serve. You don’ t exactly have to know, today, what wedding package you need from the photographer, just yet. You just know that you need that photographer.”
Corey said that he and his team keep a busy schedule with weddings and once they are booked, they devote the entire day to one wedding. They never book more than one wedding in a day.
“ We handle everything. I serve as the liaison between the client and the vendors. I do not make any decisions on the client’ s behalf. They make the decision. All of the contracts are in their name. I don’ t spend any of their budget without their permission,” he said.
He said he was the person making the phone calls and sending emails on his client’ s behalf. He said when he’ s looking for vendors, like a caterer, he chooses three, with different price points, for the client to choose from.
JULY 2025 MoultrieScene 49