Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

I have to be honest and say that our day really WAS perfect. I didn't have any wedding day disasters or any last minute surprises. We had WACKY moments (like our ENTIRE ceremony!), and some stress, but things couldn't have gone better. So here's some things I want to share that I think helped our day go SO smoothly......(and some things that might have helped a little more!)

1. Have someone come to your house to do hair and make-up. We did not need to lift a finger the day of the wedding. We drank mimosas, watched movies and had our hair and make-up done. It really took any stress of going out of the house and made it a non-issue....

2. Designate your dad or brother or some MALE in the house to be in charge of picking up and putting out food for people, tipping the delivery guys, etc. Any little things that need to be done, have a MAN ON HAND! They don't need to get ready until the last minute, so you don't need to feel bad when you make them run around for you My dad was the man of the hour on the morning of the wedding. He took care of EVERYTHING!

3. RUN OVER EVERYTHING WITH WHOMEVER IS PERFORMING THE CEREMONY! We allowed the deacon to not go through the ceremony in detail because, as he put it, 'It's better to experience it for the first time on that day.' BULL CRAP! He made a mockery of the ceremony, rambled FOREVER without making sense, forgot to pronounce us man and wife, never told JT to kiss his bride, instead THE DEACON KISSED ME! It was a mess. Make sure they go over everthing!

4. MAKE A LIST OF FORMAL SHOTS FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER! I did not do this. I LOVED my photographer, and I have NO DOUBTS that my pictures will be gorgeous, but when we were at the hotel that night, we realized that there are NO PICTURES of both JT and I with our families together. It's just ME and MY FAMILY and HIM and HIS FAMILY. None combined. I'm very upset about this, but there's nothing we can do about it now.

5. No matter what anyone says to you or what you think, please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CHANGE INTO COMFY SHOES AT THE RECEPTION! I put on my flip flops at the coctail hour, and NO ONE EVER KNEW! I made it to the end of the night dancing away and no sore feet the next day.

6. Eat your dinner and insist on being served first. The Bourne told us they would seat us for dinner so that we could eat before anyone else even got their food. They made good on their promise, which left us the entire time our guests were eating to go around and say our thank yous to everyone. We hardly missed any dancing time that way.

7. Take at least part of your coctail hour to sit with your new DH in the bridal suite. JT and I shooed out people from the bridal suite and spent a solid 20 minutes relaxing and talking and eating. It was so nice to be alone with him!



I will continue to add to this list as more things come to mind, as I am completely drained, but I hope this helps someone else out!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

awww good advice Rachel. YAY your married.. I am so excited for you.

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Rachel, thanks so much for the advice! Looking at your pictures, you both seem like such a great, fun couple and it's very clear that your wedding was a reflection of that. Congratulations!!!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Congrats to you!!!!! And thanks for the great advice!!! Ps. I cant believe that about the Deacon!! lol he kissed you and your husband didnt. ...lol

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Good advice to remember. Thank you!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

i think this is the most realistic advice any bride has posted on here. very well said rachel.

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Ok, take a look at this picture...this is BEFORE JT even kissed me! JT said he was trying to pull me back to him because he didn't think the deacon was going to let go!

• 

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Wow, I saved this to my notebook, great advice! Congrats again, Rachel!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thank you= with three days left to go, I need all the help I can get!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thank you for the tips!!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Those are some excellent tips Rachel! Thanks. The pic with the deacon is too funny!!! Did you have to remind him that his calling is to God?

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Congratulations!! good advice.

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

great tips --we realized afterwards that we missed some formal shots too...

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the advice...that pic with the deacon is too funny

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the Tips keep um coming

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the advice!! I will definitely keep those things in mind when my time comes closer!!

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the list you brought up really good points. I am saving them as I type. I am glad your day turned out perfect.

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Congratulations!!!!!! Thanks for the tips.

Was this the Deacon's first marriage?
How could he forget to tell the groom to kiss
the bride

Re: Ok, not ready to sit and write a review yet, but here's some things that I wanted to share...

Thanks for the advice Rachel, that all makes sense and will be good to keep in mind. Def gonna notebook this thread bc I'm sure I won't remember everything when it comes time. Sorry about the Deacon, hopefully you can laugh about it now!!