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After years of second-shooting weddings across Louisiana and finally planning my own celebration in 2024, I've learned that wedding planning doesn't have to drain your bank account or your sanity. If you're a bride over 30 in Louisiana, whether you're in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Mandeville, or any of the beautiful communities in between, you already know what matters to you. You want a stunning wedding that reflects your style without feeling drained (emotionally or financially).
Here's exactly what I wish someone had told me before I started planning, straight from someone who's seen it all from behind the camera and lived it as a bride.
1. Decide What's Non-Negotiable (Then Cut Everything Else)
This is the single most important conversation you'll have with your fiancé, and it needs to happen before you book anything.
For us, the priorities were crystal clear: I knew I wanted a solid photographer who could capture our day beautifully, and finding the right venue was everything to my fiancé. We made the decision early to splurge on those two items and strategically cut corners everywhere else.
I bought my dress second-hand from Etsy and honestly? No one knew, and no one cared. We did our own décor with help from family, kept the floral installations very basic, and skipped the groom’s cake. I mean, my fiance didn’t even know what a groom’s cake was! This approach saved us thousands of dollars that we redirected toward what actually mattered to us.
The beauty of being a bride over 30 is that you know yourself. If you’re a bride later in life, you’ve had plenty of time to think about your wedding. You're not trying to impress anyone or check boxes because that's "what brides do." Sit down with your partner, make a list of your top three priorities, and give yourself permission to deprioritize everything else. Your budget will thank you.
I bought my dress second-hand from Etsy and honestly? No one knew, and no one cared. But our venue was gorgeous.
2. Find Your Dream Venue First, Then Set Your Date
I know this sounds backwards, but trust me on this one. Most brides think the process goes: pick a date, then find a venue. In reality, your dream venue's availability is going to determine your date, especially here in Louisiana where we have a limited number weather-friendly months.
This simple mindset shift will save you so much time and tears. There’s nothing worse than setting a date that every other couple in Louisiana has picked, meaning no venue availability. Or worse, settling for a space you don't love just because it's available on your predetermined date.
Start with venue tours. Find the place that makes your heart skip a beat and feels like “yall”. It might be a historic estate, a charming barn, an elegant plantation, a modern event space, or one of Louisiana's stunning waterfront venues. Once you've found "the one," work with their available dates. You'll have so much more flexibility and significantly less stress.
For Louisiana brides, this is especially important. Peak wedding season runs from October through May. (And we don’t’ really count Jan & Feb). Those stunning Southern venues across the state—from the elegant estates in Baton Rouge, the romantic, rustic settings in Lafayette and Acadiana, the charming spaces in the Northshore area of Covington and Mandeville, to the lakefront properties in Lake Charles and Central Louisiana—book early. Start looking at least 12-15 months out if possible.
3. This Is YOUR Wedding, Not Aunt Marie's
Let me be blunt: the only thing you should do on your wedding day is exactly what you and your soon-to-be want.
Not what your mother thinks is proper. Not what Aunt Marie says you "have to" do because it's tradition. Not what your best friend had at her wedding. Just what feels right for the two of you.
Traditions, opinions, and feedback can get incredibly loud and overwhelming during wedding planning. Everyone suddenly becomes an expert on what your wedding should look like. Family members will have strong feelings about everything from your dress to your ceremony to whether you're serving jambalaya or gumbo.
Here's what I learned after years of watching brides navigate this: the couples who had the most joy on their wedding day were the ones who tuned out the noise and stayed true to themselves. The ones who tried to please everyone ended up stressed, over budget, and resentful.
Set boundaries early. Practice saying, "Thank you for sharing, but we've already decided what works for us." You don't need to justify your choices or explain yourself. This is your day, your marriage, your story.
4. Cut the Guest List (Yes, Really)
This is where brides over 30 have a major advantage. You're past the point of inviting people out of obligation or trying to prove something. You know who your real friends are, and you're not afraid to make tough decisions.
Don't be the bride who tries to have a $5,000 wedding with 250 guests. It's not realistic, and you'll end up compromising on everything that matters. Be honest about your budget and prioritize accordingly.
Here's the question that changed everything for me: Is it more important to feed your cousin's five kids or to hire a real DJ who'll keep your reception alive? Plates add up fast. In Louisiana, you're looking at anywhere from $50-150 per person once you factor in food, drinks, and rentals.
We made the decision to invite immediate family and close friends (adults only), landing at about 70 people on our guest list. And you know what? I loved it. We actually got to spend time with everyone there. We celebrated with the people who've been part of our story, who we genuinely wanted present for this moment.
If relatives get upset about not being invited, blame it on the budget. You don't need to over-explain or apologize. A simple, "We're keeping it intimate due to budget constraints" is enough. Anyone who truly cares about you will understand.
5. Tap Into Your Network (Especially the Women Who've Been There)
Women from older generations absolutely love helping with weddings, and they have skills and connections that can save you serious money and stress. Use them!
Maybe that's your mom's friend who stuffs invitations while you all catch up over coffee. Or your aunt who knows the best bakeries in the area and will price out cakes. Or your future mother-in-law who has an eye for décor and loves shopping for bargains.
These women have been through it. They know the vendors, they understand the logistics, and they often have decades of wisdom to share. Plus, involving them makes them feel valued and gives you quality time together during what can be an isolating planning process.
I had my mom's best friend help me shop for décor items on Facebook Marketplace. I got a hand-made, unique white parasol for our second line for $30! She knew exactly where to find high-quality pieces at a fraction of what I'd pay at specialty bridal shops. Whether that was exploring the unique finds in Lafayette's boutiques, hitting up Baton Rouge's home décor stores, or discovering antique shops along the Northshore.
Don't try to do everything yourself. Or better yet, hire a wedding planner! I used Cecilia Marie Events.
6. Book a Bridal Boudoir Photoshoot
Hear me out on this one, because it might sound indulgent, but it's actually one of the best investments you can make for yourself during this time.
You're doing all the things right now, the diet, the workouts, the spray tans, the hair appointments. All those glow-ups you're investing in to look amazing in your dress shouldn't be just for one day. All that work deserves to be celebrated and documented.
More than that, wedding planning is overwhelming. Even when it's joyful, it's still a lot. You need an outlet, an escape, a moment that's entirely about you feeling powerful and beautiful and confident. A boudoir session is exactly that escape.
Plus, it doubles as an incredible honeymoon gift for your partner. Professional, tasteful boudoir photos in a beautiful album? That's a gift that keeps on giving.
As someone who's been behind the camera for countless shoots, I can tell you that boudoir sessions are transformative. Every woman who's done one has told me it was empowering, fun, and something they're so glad they did. A. Dannette Photography serves brides throughout Louisiana, from Baton Rouge to Lafayette, Lake Charles to the Northshore. Book it for a few months before your wedding when you're at peak confidence but before the final week chaos hits. You won't regret it.
Final Thoughts for Louisiana Brides Over 30
Planning a wedding in Louisiana offers something truly special, Southern charm, gorgeous venues, incredible Cajun and Creole cuisine, and communities that know how to celebrate, mais cher! Whether you're planning an elegant affair in Baton Rouge, a romantic celebration in Lafayette's Cajun country, a stunning lakefront wedding in Lake Charles, or an intimate gathering in the picturesque Northshore communities of Covington and Mandeville, you have access to incredible vendors and venues that can bring your vision to life.
But the real secret to a successful wedding isn't the perfect centerpieces or the most expensive photographer. It's knowing what matters to you, protecting your peace, and remembering that this day is about celebrating your love story, not performing for an audience or fitting in some arbitrary box.
You're a bride over 30. You've lived enough life to know what you want and what you don't. Trust that wisdom. Make decisions that feel right for you and your partner. Cut the guest list, protect your budget, lean on your people, and don't be afraid to break traditions that don't serve you.
Planning your Louisiana wedding and need more personalized advice? From Baton Rouge to Lafayette, Lake Charles to the Northshore, the Louisiana wedding community is full of incredible vendors and resources ready to help bring your vision to life. Trust your instincts, stay true to yourselves, and enjoy this season.