Posted on March 22 2023
Lindsay Jones is the brains behind Woman Getting Married. Lindsay began WGM when she was planning her wedding in 2009. It began as a way for Lindsay to help her navigate the complex world of wedding planning. The blog now boasts over 400,000 brides and grooms-to-be who visit it each month to find the most recent venues, ideas, and decors.
Lindsay was a wonderful person to meet during my brief visit to Los Angeles. Her spirit was infectious and made me feel like I had known her for years. Despite her busy schedule, I managed to convince her to answer some questions about her work and motivations.
What was life before Woman Getting Married?
It was similar in a way to what I do now. My 10-year experience in the digital space was as an editor for everything from entertainment websites to parenting websites. So my life has been all about building an online audience for brands…except it’s mine!
How did you get started in wedding blogging and review writing?
It was pure frustration! Ha. My husband and I had difficulty finding the right venue for our wedding when we got engaged. We were both from Miami and were open-minded to many different venues. This made our search even more difficult. A book or website that provided a list of venues and their prices was not available. This made it difficult to determine if the venue would be within our budget. I decided to start documenting the information that I found about venues.
What has changed in the industry since you started?
In 2009, there were very few wedding websites. Although many websites help couples plan their weddings, I believe the industry is still evolving. It should provide brides with more than beautiful pictures and the necessary information. The better the transparency within the industry about how much it will cost, the better.
What is it that you love about weddings the most? What attracted you to the wedding industry?
It’s my opinion, one of the most exciting moments in your life. You are starting a new chapter together and planning the most memorable party you will ever attend. What could be more fun?
Which is the fascinating venue that you have visited or reviewed?
It’s like choosing a favourite child! San Ysidro Ranch is one of my favourite venues for weddings in California. You’ll instantly see why it’s a celebrity favourite when you drive to the ranch. It is intimate and romantic. If you have the money, you could rent out the whole property.
What songs are the best for love?
Billie Holiday and Chet Baker are my go-to artists when I’m looking for something romantic. This version of Where or When by Wynton Marsalis is also a favourite. It would be a beautiful first dance song. This list of songs I listen to all the time is a more modern alternative.
Which wedding trends are your favourites? Rings, decors, dresses, etc.?
My obsession is currently with East-West engagement rings and stacked marriage bands. I just returned from New York Bridal Fashion Week. Boleros are a jacket you can wear for the ceremony and then take off for the reception.
What is the most difficult challenge for couples on their wedding day?
Try to be present in that moment. You won’t have time to recall every detail of your wedding day. Please take five minutes to gaze around, kiss your partner, hold their hand, and let everything sink in.
Which piece of advice would you advise brides and grooms to find the right wedding venue?
Choose a venue that can stand alone without the need for decorations. This will save you a lot of money.
What is your top tip for planning an affordable wedding?
It would help if you looked for a venue that allows you to bring your alcohol. You won’t find every venue that allows you to bring your alcohol, but you will save thousands if you can locate one with a BYOB policy or a low corkage charge. It never hurts to ask for extras or discounts. The worst thing that you will hear is “No.”
What has made wedding planning easier or more difficult for you?
Technology has made wedding planning so much easier than it was 6 years ago when I got married. We’ve made many improvements in the last few years, from wedding budget calculators to guest seating charts to websites like Joy. I cannot wait to see what’s next.
What would you choose to be the only part of the wedding industry you could cover?
Venues, venues, venues! Finding the right venue is probably the most difficult part of planning a wedding.
What would you change if you could do your wedding again?
Although I love DJs, I prefer a band. We are both music geeks, and we were obsessed with the playlist for our wedding. It was stressful. I think that we chose music that was a little too sexist for the older crowd. Even though there was a full dance floor, we could have let the band know what everyone wanted and brought an energy that was hard to beat.
Ready For Your Next Step?
Amidst all the chaos and excitement of planning your wedding, don’t forget to take the time to relax and enjoy yourself with your fiancé. This is such a special time for couples, after all, it's not every day you get married! Be present in these moments and know that whatever issues arise along the way you’ll conquer them together.
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