What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

Hello Newlyweds:
I am getting married next weekend and am hoping to tap into the source for some advice. I have planned and am ready to celebrate...SO, what I want t know is...
What are the things you would have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now? Anything you worried about that you wished you had let go. Anything you should have paid more attention to and sorry you did not. I hope to learn from your experiences so please ladies, go to it!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

The ONLY thing I MIGHT have changed was making it run later....I would have started it all later. NO one danced really since it was a day wedding, so maybe I would have started at 1pm instead of having the ceremony at 11:30am.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I don't really regret anything about my wedding day. I really wouldn't want my day any other way.

But after the day was done, things I may have changed looking back was:

1-My cake - I had saved pictures of cakes I loved but then wound up not giving them to the hall because towards the end of my planning I felt it was such a small thing and why bother. Well, now I look at my pictures and really hate my cake.

2-I wouldn't have used Coach buses for my shuttle service. Who would have know I would have a driver who couldn't drive a bus and show up late andmake my guests a half hour late for the cocktail hour. I had everything covered - even left some responsible guests with the Coach number in case and there was nothing I could do about it.

3-I love my pictures and my photographer but I do think there were pictures he missed - a few of my little details. Also I had given some sample pictures I liked to the studio to give to the photographer to show the style of pictures I like and I don't think y actual photographer got them because I think then he wouldn't have missed something I regret I don't have pictures of.

Other than that - enjoy your day to the fullest and be yourself! Don't let the little bumps in the road or people get to you. I think that is what made the best. I laughed at the bumps, said and did what I wanted to and didn't let people bother me who I thought would. Dh and I totally enjoyed our day.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

scheduled in more time for pictures, and realizing that things will run late. if i had done that, i wouldn't have been so rushed.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I wouldnt change anytjing except I would have eaten during the day before hair and makeup. I got up at 5:30am for hair, didnt eat, and then straight to makeup so I ate NOTHING ALL DAY!!! I didnt eat until dinner at the reception cause we were taking pictures. I had one drink and was practically bombed.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I would have reapplied lipstick!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

Would not have changed a thing. My big advice is let it all go that day. If it rains or the flowers show up and aren't right or the flower girls won't walk down the isle or you have a zit or anything isn't just as YOU may have pictured it......Let it go. The day goes by so quick and if you let the little things bother you it will be a waste of time you could have spent enjoying the best day of your life.

That is one thing I was happy I did. ( and boy did it rain on my wedding day )

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

Well-- for starters I would have hired a diff. photog. He took some great shots but also missed a lot of the details too. Would have used the same video but bought the bigger package with 2 cameras.

That said, if your wedding is soon, you probably have all of your vendors booked so I would give this advice:

Oh - my cake too! I hated it - but the last week of planning I didnt even care anymore I just let the hall do what they wanted with the flowers I ordered and frankly I didnt like it but it tasted good. I wish I had upgraded to the better cake.

Reapply your lipstick - have a bm in charge to remind you and blot your face before the reception! Mine got kind of oily after picture taking and I was on such a high I forgot to do these things.

BUT most important - HAVE FUN and try to step back and really take in the day...it can go by fast.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

Thanks for these words of wisdom. That's funny that you mention the lipstick, I've noticed that in some of my friend's pics that they should have reapplied. I'll make the bms in charge of that

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I'll give you what to do....

just enjoy yourself...DH said I was the calmest he had ever seen me on our wedding day and that was the best thing...even the Maitre D and bridal asst were amazed how calm I was...and joked about other bridezillas with me...while I was waiting for the ceremony...I just took it all in...


I spoke to every guest...even though we did not have a receiving line...and sat and looked around at the wonderful day...



I'm sure things didn't go as i planned in some instances...but I just didn't care...like water off a ducks back (and this is so not me in normal life)

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I would of had a different hair and make up person. Not that I didn't love my make up but she was an hr late leaving my husbands house, she did my two sister in laws and mother in law and had to rush with me and my mom . Hair person was just terrible I had to fix my own hair and my moms practically fell out in the middle of the reception. Other than that nothing, enjoy the day, I did I wasn't stressed one bit and just enjoyed the whole day!!!!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

As all the other girls said, just go with the flow and enjoy yourself, don't get crazy over little things because you'll just ruin the day. I felt like I was really calm on my wedding day. Don't be a Bridezilla, no one likes a pushy bride who bosses everyone around, just remember to be cool so everyone around you has a good time too.
A few things that I would have done differently after all is said and done is my hair, I was happy with it for the most part but I would have worn the front of it looser.
I was happy with our cake, I thought it was very pretty and delicious but I would have had different flowers decorating it.
As for my dress, I would have made sure it fit tighter because I lost weight before the wedding and at certain times during the night it felt a little loose.
I also didn't know as many vendors as I do now so I would have done more research.

It was the greatest day of both our lives and all these little things didn't matter or change what an amazing day we had

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

i would have been more relaxed. i let too many little things bother me.. i relaxed once i got to the reception...

I would have given myself more time to get ready. i felt rushed at the end.

I would have gone with limos instead of limo buses- only because they overbooked my bus and gave us a dirty atlantic city looking bus- it was dirty dingy and gross! got my money back though!

reapplied my lipstick more often. the pics show the effects.

i would have tightened my slip a little tighter. I borrowed it from a friend and i didnt know but it kept falling off mywaist and you can see it in a lot of pics... ik..

i wouldve spent less $$ on pics. a lot of beautiful pics i got were from cameras taken by people. i mena i love my proofs but now that were saving from a house i wouldve spent less.
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Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

i would change my d.j because after going over what songs needed to played he still did what he wanted. i would make sure that you get it written on your contract that the songs are to be picked by you if you want certain songs. i also would have assigned someone to help me with the lil details like telling the photographer what pics to take. i wanted so many shots that i just forgot to ask for and didnt remember to give him my list. i think the most important thing i did was step back every now an dthen just take it all in. the day moves by so fast and its hard to take a breath. i think thats why video is so important because i wouldnt have seen have of what happened if it wasnt for my video.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I wouldnt have allowed for stress to get the best of me..I would have enjoyed the special times before the wedding instaed of analyzing and trying to make everything perfect..
most imprtantly..I would have given my photographer a must have list. I had read on here that it can confuse the photographer, they they are the professionals and know what they are doing..I should nOT have listened to that.I hate my pics, they are too posed and not what I wanted..some of my must haves that I wanted he didnt do, but its my fault because I never gave him my list and it all happened so fast..I didnt realize the pics didnt get taken until it was too late. the lighting was awful in one of the places and those pics look like ***! I should have spoken up more about those.
I truly enjoyed my wedding though and I think thats most important, I really thought about how great it felt while it was happening, remind yourself to take a second to reflect..it goes by so fast, it really does. I know it sounds cheesy, but I also wrote like a letter to myself a few days after the wedding, just describing my day, how great I felt, cute things that family and friends did and cute things that dh did, so that I would never ever forget. When I danced my first dance with dh I closed my eyes and told my self to remember that moment and when I dnaced with my dad I did the same, it really is a beautiful momonet that you will never have again, so savor it, dont let time get the best of you! Enjoy your guests, your family, but mostly enjoy yourself!!! I had the time of my life at my wedding, I danced all night long!
Best of luck to you and ENJOY!!!Please post pics for us when you can and looking forwrad to having you join us on the newlywed board!!! have a wonderful wedding!!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

Definately use table cameras!!! I had heard on here that some brides' didnt come out good, but my came out FANTASTIC!!! My favorite pics are from my table cameras!!!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

STAND UP STRAIGHT!!!!!! I look at some of my pics now and I see myself hunched over and it looks terrible

Reapplying lipstick is another biggy!

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I would have hired a video person - even just to get raw video.

Would have used a different photographer.

All else would stay the same....maybe look at more reception places.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I would have thrown an after-hours party. The night passed by so fast.

Re: What would you have done differently on your day if you knew then what you knew now?

I would have calmed myself before walking down the isle. That is the only part of the day that is a complete blur. I was sooooooo nervous I never actually saw Franks face until my dad put my hand in his. So I dont know what his reaction was when he saw me for the first time in my dress. I wish I would have taken in the moment. And I almost passed out at the alter. I was hyperventilating I was so nervous.
Oh bring a hankie!!! I forgot and it was not a good thing!! I never cry in public but stuff happens!!