Lessons Learned: Advice from Kayla and Aaron Childs

Kayla and Aaron’s wedding took place on Oct. 5, 2018, at Creekside Conference & Event Center.

If you could do anything about your wedding differently, what would you change and why?    

Aaron: Taken more time to eat our dinner/apps and dessert—especially dessert! We had an incredible dessert table that I didn’t get to enjoy.

Kayla: I would’ve loved to see the performer we had during the cocktail hour. We actually saw him perform at Hamilton’s Pub in Gahanna months prior to our wedding and instantly fell in love. From what we heard from our guests, he was a huge hit during cocktail hour, but we were outside taking photos at that time. I didn’t even get a chance to talk to him once we came back inside before we made our grand entrance. That’s the only regret I have from our wedding day.

A: I also would have liked to see our cocktail hour performer.

What are you happy you spent money on?        

K: Definitely our photographer. Well worth every penny!

A: Loved our venue, but most of all I was so glad we bit the bullet and spent more money on our photography. The pictures were incredible and really captured the essence of our day.

What do you think you could have done without?          

K: Nothing, really.

A: None.

K: I tried to make sure everything that we incorporated represented us and our relationship and really had a meaningful presence at the wedding.

What was your biggest surprise when planning your wedding?               

K: Option overload! Before I started wedding planning, I never knew just how big the wedding industry actually is. It’s crazy!

A: I was surprised at all of the price points—i.e. flatware, napkins, flowers, etc. Word to the wise: Be sure to ask all of the specifics included when pricing out venues.

What do you wish you’d known before you started planning?  

K: In reality, guests are only going to remember three things about your wedding: the food, the drinks and the music. So focus on those three things first and then everything else after that. Makes it much easier to prioritize your budget and guarantee a good time!

A: There is a HUGE market for weddings/planning/etc. in Columbus. Felt a bit overwhelming at times with all of the options.

Did you experience any wedding-day snafus?

K: This isn’t really a snafu, but five minutes before we started to line up the wedding party for the processional, I realized I didn’t have anything old, new, borrowed or blue! I panicked for a few seconds then figured if that was all that went “wrong” that morning, then I’m doing alright. I’ll take my chances without the “good luck” charms.

A: Five hours prior to the wedding, I noticed that my best man received an eggshell white dress shirt as opposed to the off-white shirt like everyone else. I immediately called the tux shop owner. Though the process was incredibly frustrating, the shop owner closed his shop and drove from Dublin to our venue in Gahanna to drop off the appropriate colored shirt. Once the situation was resolved, I told my groomsmen, “Kayla will know nothing of this!”

Did you and your fiancé get into any silly arguments?   

K: We didn’t really argue about anything during wedding planning. However, I did have a breakdown after the first time we visited a few wedding venues, realizing how expensive everything is. Aaron was amazing at comforting me and actually drawing out our entire budget that night, just to convince me that everything was under control and we could, in fact, afford the wedding that we both dreamed of.

Any dress-shopping advice?

K: Take very few people with you. Too many opinions can cloud your judgement. Also, try on every shape/style of dress, even though you might think you won’t like it—you may be pleasantly surprised!

What about menswear?

A: Gentlemen, this is just as much your day as it is hers! Don’t feel bad getting a custom tux. I actually ordered my tux from an online bespoke—terrifying, right? If you go this route, get your measurements done by a professional—or research how it is done—prior to submitting for creation.

Do you have any general advice for couples currently planning their weddings?             

A: Discuss what each of you want out of your wedding day prior to beginning the process of seeking out venues.

K: Remember, at the end of the day your wedding is about you and your future spouse. Opinions and advice start coming from every direction, but just stay true to yourselves and make sure your guests are able to see you guys represented in every aspect of your wedding.

Do you have any general marriage advice, as a newlywed?

K: Never stop dating each other.

A: Keep God first and do not lose sight of the person that you were before you said “I do.” After all, that’s who she fell in love with.