Hey Guys, I am coming up to the final month before THE BIG DAY and I am feeling a little reflective. I have been planning my wedding for over a year and I wanted to share the top 20 tips or advice I think will help you have the best wedding EVER!!
1. See the big picture.
Agreed- your wedding is one of the most important days of your life but it is still just a SINGLE day. What is more important is from that day you have made public commitment that you want to be together forever. Make sure you and your fiance / finacee discuss what you want from your wedding day so you can both enjoy your perfect day equally together.
2. Make it personal.
You don’t want to have a wedding that looks as though the plan could say ‘insert bride and groom here’. I suggest that you add as many small, personal touches as possible so your wedding is unique to you. For example be creative with your table names are you a travel couple chose different countries, cities or landmarks you have visited together. Have cocktails created and named in a way that shows its your wedding.
3. Start wedding dress shopping ASAP.
There may be people who tell you that you don’t need to rush to start looking for your dress but DO NOT listen! Years ago the process was simpler and you didn’t need to allow time but times have changed. Most designers will need 6-8 months notice to make your dress and once its made it needs to be shipped to your bridal shop. You may not find your dress in the first shop and that is ok. Take your time, try on different styles and fabrics and you will fine THE ONE. It only THE most important dress your going to ware in your life no pressure ….
4. Listen to yourself and take time out.
I love wedding planning and I hope we have the most perfect day and our friends and family also have a great day too. The process is full of highs but there are some lows. When you get the feeling that things are getting on top of you.. RSVPS are late, people have a problem with the table plan or your just not sure how you will get everything done. Take time out, spend some quality time with your other half and ban wedding talk. Its important to remind yourself what all the stress is for.
5. Discuss the guest list early on.
Make sure you and your fiancé are on the same page about how big or what type of wedding you want. If your dream is a big wedding full of family and friends and your fiancee wants to elope to Gretna Green you need to know this asap. Of course you will need to reach a middle ground and the perfect place to bring your dreams to life.
6. Accept Help!
It is easy to want to micro manage every single part of your wedding but this will drive you insane! Your friends and family will love the opportunity to be part of your day and taking advantage of their skills and expertise could also save you a lot of money!!
7. Don’t take on too much DIY.
You may be the most talented, creative and dedicated person on the planet but you only have so much time. Limit your DIY projects to those that are the most cost-effective or will make the most impact on the day. We have the table names as something that instantly jumps out as personal to me which I can then use in our home after the wedding but I will share that after the day as a lot of my friends and family read my blogs and watch my videos.
8. Don’t forget to give thanks to those who help you.
Wedding planning can be very stressful and there will be times when you might have less patience than usual or not ‘be there’ as much for your friends and family as you would usually. Remember to thank those people close to you whether it be a little gift for them to wear for the day or a bunch of flowers presented during the reception, I’m sure they will be gratefully received.
9. Do your research!.
I can tell you as a sales woman that the service you receive is just as important as the price you pay. Get recommendations from friends and family as first hand experience is priceless. However if you don’t have any please check out your suppliers on review sites. Send out multiple enquiries and don’t be afraid to tell them about your other quotes.. there is always a little room for movement built into the prices… if you don’t ask you don’t get.
10. Have a wedding video
I didn’t originally realise I wanted a videographer until it dawned on me that those special moments look beautiful in photos but nothing can replace hearing the voices of your loved ones that may not always be around. So many of my bride friends say they don’t remember the details of the day as it was such a blurr.. what did your maid of honour or best man say in their speech? What was the groom and guests reactions to you entering the room?
11. Music is everything.
Do you know that music has the power to evoke an emotion to set a mood? Well it does… Remember while your guests are sitting waiting for the ceremony to begin have a play list playing in the background. While the photos are being taken have a playlist to keep the flow to the day and avoid awkward silence. Choose your music wisely!
12. Focus on being healthy for your day
So you might decide you want to drastically lose weight for your day or you may be comfortable in your own skin. Two important things to remember are firstly your finacee love you for you as you are! Secondly being healthy will mean you not only look good but will feel good on the day. If you feel good you will enjoy your day so much more.
13. Have your Cake and Eat it.
I know wedding cake is traditional, they look beautiful and taste amazing and no wedding would be complete with out one. Having said that you need to make sure you have chance to taste your cake. Ask your venue or caterer to put aside a piece of each flavour for your and your groom. If your too busy to eat on the night at least you will have some to try in your room or the next day.
14. Learn from your fellow brides.
I thinks its always great advice to learn from other people and their experiences. So ask your fellow brides for any regrets or things that were worth their weight in gold. Join forums and groups on social media. When you are a wedding guest.. pay attention! What is the time-line.. what worked and what didn’t? What things did you remember and what details did you forget as soon as you walked past? This will help you know what to include/ what to do for your wedding.
15. Make a mood board
A moodboard could be a physical board with cuttings from magazines or a board on Pinterest. I will admit Pintrest has been my best friend from wedding hair styles to unique décor ideas. They will help you pull all your ideas together and visualise your look.
16. Couple photos are a must-have.
Couple shots are IMPORTANT, on your day those precious moments together give you time to enjoy and make memories of just the two of you. You will also have personal shots for your wedding album to remember those moments.
17. Record your journey in a journal
I have a wedding planner and in it I have written a mini diary of the planning process how I feel what’s on my mind. Write the exact colour of your bridesmaid's dresses, what is the Latin names of your flowers? You are not going to remember these details in 10+ years time but wouldn’t it be cool to share these with your daughters and grandchildren in the future?
18. Decide on a wedding fragrance.
The sense that is strongest lined to memory is the sense of smell. To help bring those memories come rushing back design the fragrance of your wedding. Choose a wedding day perfume ideally a classic sent that is not likely to be discontinued. Have wedding candles around your venue or even just in your room while you get ready again something that you will be able to buy in years to come.
19. Plan things for the future
It's so much fun designing and implementing your wedding there is such a huge run up you need to be prepared for what comes next. We have a minimoon to Cornwall this year and our main honeymoon next year. To avoid the wedding blues give yourself things to look forward to. These don’t have to be big extravigant things but plan your firsts… first haloween, first bonfire night and of course first Christmas.. Make an effort with decoration and have the opportunity to create memories.
20. Enjoy every single second!
Make a special conscious effort to take everything in. Pause as you walk down the isle look at peoples faces. Look at your groom as he meets you this is your moment. Take 15 minutes alone after the photos and before you go into your wedding breakfast. Take note of your venues transition from day to night.
Thank you so much for reading this blog and following me on Youtube I really appreciate all your support. There are more wedding related blogs and vlogs coming up so stay tuned.
