Hello new brides!!
The girls who have been around wanted to offer advice as brides who have experience under their belts. We all hope you benefit from the advice given!
1) Book your big vendors early, because if you don't someone else may snatch them up!
2) Make sure you take time to enjoy your day. Dance if you want to dance, don't sweat the little things and have fun.
3) If FI wants to help or put his 2 cents in let him, it's his day too (as DH so kindly reminds me daily).
4) Right before the rehearsal dinner just let everything go. Anything that happens after that is out of your hands so just enjoy.
5) People forget. You may have to remind them of where the wedding is, when the wedding is, to book hotel rooms, and what time to be there A MILLION times. Just smile and go with it!
6) Try to make bridesmaid dresses, makeup, hair, and accessories affordable. I was VERY concious of this.
7) Try to get your DIY projects done early so that you don't have too much to do at the end
8) Do EVERYTHING as early as you can! Book the vendors you want, before other people book them. Get DIY projects out of the way. Even though you might feel like you have a ton of time (and you might), time goes by so fast, and the closer you get to the wedding, the more you will have to do. I got so many comments about how happy and relaxed I was, but that's because the week before the wedding I was done with everything and just relaxed with my friends and family.
9) Know your limitations. I did a *few* DIY projects, but most of them were pretty basic. Was I jealous that other knotties can create their own invitations, etc..., yes! But, I know myself, and crafting is not one of my skills. I also get frustrated really easily. So, I limited the projects and did things I knew I could handle. Everything else I either bought, or had someone else make for me. Even if you're on a tight budget, remember that your time and sanity are worth something too!
10) Have fun!!! Have so so so much fun, because you only get to do this once! I loved wedding planning, loved being engaged, and LOVED our wedding! I'm so happy to be married now to my wonderful DH, and I love marriage too, but there's still some part of me that's a little sad that it's all over. Enjoy it!!!
11) Pick your bridesmaids early, and make sure they all get along. Drama between bridesmaids can get pretty ugly and not to mention uncomfortable.
12) Get your addresses from the groom's side as soon as possible. Sometimes this can be a huge hassle.
13) If you can swing it, pay for your wedding yourselves. If you do this, you don't have to worry about other people butting in and telling you how to do things, or worrying if your parents will let you pick the really expensive photographer you want.
14) Shop around and don't book the first vendor, even if you really like them. It's always good to get a comparison of whats out there and how much things cost.
15) Shop black Friday sales for DIY projects and wedding bands. The sales are amazing and you can save a ton of money.
16) Relax on your wedding day. Something might go wrong, but none of your guests will notice. In the grand scheme of things, you just have to say your vows for your wedding to be a success.
17) It's YOUR day and if you are paying for it yourselves you do what YOU WANT, NOT anyone else. Our rule was if your not paying of it or helping to pay for it you don't get an opinion unless asked. And it worked. If your parents are paying for it, remember they are paying for it so you will have to listen to there opinion more then you want too.
18) Stand up for yourself, it's OK to go a little Bridezilla at times.
19) Don't rush to pick your bridal party, make sure your bridal party is people you can count on. And who will make your day special, as you would do for them.
20) If you need opinion ask someone who is not directly involved in your wedding, it's always nice to get someone with a fresh outlook on things.
21) Don't sweat the small things. I promise everything will fall into place that day!!
22) And party like you've never partied before!! Eat, Drink, and be MARRIED!!
23) If you are on a budget, consider an off-season wedding. We ended up with SO much more for our money with nearly every vendor having a February wedding instead of one of the more popular months (and still on a Saturday night!).
24) Compromise with your FI - as much as the focus is on the bride, it is a day that both of you should always remember fondly. Our wedding planning brought DH and I even closer together because we made all of the appts, decisions and some of the design work as a team.
25) If you (or someone you are close with) has a computer and some design sense try your hand at DIY for some of the little things - programs, menus, etc. We got the most compliments on some of these simple touches. Yes, it took time and effort, but was less expensive than ready-made and very rewarding in the end.
26) NO ONE cares as much about your wedding as you do. Limit your talk about it with your friends and family. You don't want to burn them out. There is life outside of wedding planning.
27) Chances are something will go wrong on your wedding day (our florist ended up using peach roses in our venue arrangements - and our colors were green and blue) probably minor but, it may very well happen. Don't let it get the best of you. Go with the flow on the day of and enjoy every minute - it truly does go by in a flash!
28) On your wedding day, arrange with the venue to see the finished reception room with your new DH before anyone else does. Take a minute to walk around together and see your (untouched) vision all come together. That 5 minute walk alone through our venue, and DH twirling me around in the center of the empty dance floor, was one of the highlights of our night!
29) Do what's best for you and your FI. Start planning and doing DIY projects as soon as you know what you want because you will be surprised by how many extra things will sneak up on you right before the big day. Don't stress about the weather, it's going to do what it wants and you just have to accept it. You will end up enjoying your day no matter what mother nature decides. Take some time away at the reception with your new husband to eat and relax. Just because you are getting married in the Hudson Valley, doesn't mean your wedding has to be crazy expensive. There are ways to save like with DIY and having your reception on a Friday or Sunday or off peak season. There are also excellent and reasonably priced vendors out there, you just have to look! Happy planning. :)
30) Enjoy each moment as much as possible-everyone says the day goes by so quickly ...and it does!
31) Don't sweat the small stuff-before, during or after your wedding.
32) Remember-it's YOUR day. Once, people start saying. " ...don't do it that way, you're supposed to..." , Kindly respond "we're not doing it that way" or "that's not our vision". Weddings are very individual...and that's ok.
The girls who have been around wanted to offer advice as brides who have experience under their belts. We all hope you benefit from the advice given!
1) Book your big vendors early, because if you don't someone else may snatch them up!
2) Make sure you take time to enjoy your day. Dance if you want to dance, don't sweat the little things and have fun.
3) If FI wants to help or put his 2 cents in let him, it's his day too (as DH so kindly reminds me daily).
4) Right before the rehearsal dinner just let everything go. Anything that happens after that is out of your hands so just enjoy.
5) People forget. You may have to remind them of where the wedding is, when the wedding is, to book hotel rooms, and what time to be there A MILLION times. Just smile and go with it!
6) Try to make bridesmaid dresses, makeup, hair, and accessories affordable. I was VERY concious of this.
7) Try to get your DIY projects done early so that you don't have too much to do at the end
8) Do EVERYTHING as early as you can! Book the vendors you want, before other people book them. Get DIY projects out of the way. Even though you might feel like you have a ton of time (and you might), time goes by so fast, and the closer you get to the wedding, the more you will have to do. I got so many comments about how happy and relaxed I was, but that's because the week before the wedding I was done with everything and just relaxed with my friends and family.
9) Know your limitations. I did a *few* DIY projects, but most of them were pretty basic. Was I jealous that other knotties can create their own invitations, etc..., yes! But, I know myself, and crafting is not one of my skills. I also get frustrated really easily. So, I limited the projects and did things I knew I could handle. Everything else I either bought, or had someone else make for me. Even if you're on a tight budget, remember that your time and sanity are worth something too!
10) Have fun!!! Have so so so much fun, because you only get to do this once! I loved wedding planning, loved being engaged, and LOVED our wedding! I'm so happy to be married now to my wonderful DH, and I love marriage too, but there's still some part of me that's a little sad that it's all over. Enjoy it!!!
11) Pick your bridesmaids early, and make sure they all get along. Drama between bridesmaids can get pretty ugly and not to mention uncomfortable.
12) Get your addresses from the groom's side as soon as possible. Sometimes this can be a huge hassle.
13) If you can swing it, pay for your wedding yourselves. If you do this, you don't have to worry about other people butting in and telling you how to do things, or worrying if your parents will let you pick the really expensive photographer you want.
14) Shop around and don't book the first vendor, even if you really like them. It's always good to get a comparison of whats out there and how much things cost.
15) Shop black Friday sales for DIY projects and wedding bands. The sales are amazing and you can save a ton of money.
16) Relax on your wedding day. Something might go wrong, but none of your guests will notice. In the grand scheme of things, you just have to say your vows for your wedding to be a success.
17) It's YOUR day and if you are paying for it yourselves you do what YOU WANT, NOT anyone else. Our rule was if your not paying of it or helping to pay for it you don't get an opinion unless asked. And it worked. If your parents are paying for it, remember they are paying for it so you will have to listen to there opinion more then you want too.
18) Stand up for yourself, it's OK to go a little Bridezilla at times.
19) Don't rush to pick your bridal party, make sure your bridal party is people you can count on. And who will make your day special, as you would do for them.
20) If you need opinion ask someone who is not directly involved in your wedding, it's always nice to get someone with a fresh outlook on things.
21) Don't sweat the small things. I promise everything will fall into place that day!!
22) And party like you've never partied before!! Eat, Drink, and be MARRIED!!
23) If you are on a budget, consider an off-season wedding. We ended up with SO much more for our money with nearly every vendor having a February wedding instead of one of the more popular months (and still on a Saturday night!).
24) Compromise with your FI - as much as the focus is on the bride, it is a day that both of you should always remember fondly. Our wedding planning brought DH and I even closer together because we made all of the appts, decisions and some of the design work as a team.
25) If you (or someone you are close with) has a computer and some design sense try your hand at DIY for some of the little things - programs, menus, etc. We got the most compliments on some of these simple touches. Yes, it took time and effort, but was less expensive than ready-made and very rewarding in the end.
26) NO ONE cares as much about your wedding as you do. Limit your talk about it with your friends and family. You don't want to burn them out. There is life outside of wedding planning.
27) Chances are something will go wrong on your wedding day (our florist ended up using peach roses in our venue arrangements - and our colors were green and blue) probably minor but, it may very well happen. Don't let it get the best of you. Go with the flow on the day of and enjoy every minute - it truly does go by in a flash!
28) On your wedding day, arrange with the venue to see the finished reception room with your new DH before anyone else does. Take a minute to walk around together and see your (untouched) vision all come together. That 5 minute walk alone through our venue, and DH twirling me around in the center of the empty dance floor, was one of the highlights of our night!
29) Do what's best for you and your FI. Start planning and doing DIY projects as soon as you know what you want because you will be surprised by how many extra things will sneak up on you right before the big day. Don't stress about the weather, it's going to do what it wants and you just have to accept it. You will end up enjoying your day no matter what mother nature decides. Take some time away at the reception with your new husband to eat and relax. Just because you are getting married in the Hudson Valley, doesn't mean your wedding has to be crazy expensive. There are ways to save like with DIY and having your reception on a Friday or Sunday or off peak season. There are also excellent and reasonably priced vendors out there, you just have to look! Happy planning. :)
30) Enjoy each moment as much as possible-everyone says the day goes by so quickly ...and it does!
31) Don't sweat the small stuff-before, during or after your wedding.
32) Remember-it's YOUR day. Once, people start saying. " ...don't do it that way, you're supposed to..." , Kindly respond "we're not doing it that way" or "that's not our vision". Weddings are very individual...and that's ok.
