Brides Helping Brides ™ - 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

2010BTB Posted: Jun 22, 2010 04:48 PM

11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

This might be a little early to start this for the 11ers but give a little advice that either was passed on to you or that you figured out during the whole wedding planning process.

Soon2bMrsH Posted: Jun 22, 2010 04:54 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

i didnt get to follow this advice yet,
but the best advice i heard was to take a step back and take everything in. take mental snap shots all day... remember to look at all the minor details that drove you crazy, the flowers, the food stations, the cake, the BM dresses, the tuxedos, the hall, the ceremony, your own dress, shoes, veil, accessories, your mom and dad, and FH mom and dad, and all your guests who are there to celebrate with you... cause when its over, its a blur.... but thats why i also got a videographer!

AwaitingAugust Posted: Jun 22, 2010 04:56 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

Best advice i got was to remember that the little details that I'm stressing about will probably go unnoticed by the guests. (for example, the font to use on the invitations, the color of the napkins, etc)

ETA: so don't stress TOO much over the things that don't matter too much

MrsSoto Posted: Jun 22, 2010 04:58 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

Take TIME picking basically everything. Vendors, reception hall and dress, most importantly!

even when you think you love something, doesnt hurt to check out one more place or try on another couple of dresses.

Do your research on prices A LOT. its the worst to think you got a good deal and then hear girls on here got the same thing for a lot less

get everything in writing. use email when you can with vendors and dont worry about being annoying to confirm things over and over. you wont regret it.

A HM might be a tradition but its absolutely needed. enjoy it and in my opinion stay as long as you can rather than spending money on upgrades to other things like the room. that was just me and dhs motto and we were happy we used the money for more time than having a super delux suite and then not staying away as long.

if you dont mind, be a little involved in planning your bachlorette party. its really hard for girls who dont know each other to plan something and not fight even a little. in the long run, just being a little involved or atleast telling them that you are okay with things not being a total secret if they need help might cause less stress in the end.

Good luck to all the 11ers! enjoy it, it goes by quicker than you can even imagine!!!

Future Mrs H Posted: Jun 22, 2010 05:07 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

I want to wait till after my wedding to ans this. I want to be thorough!

CloudNine Posted: Jun 22, 2010 05:16 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

hmm what can i think of off the top of my head....

1. NO ONE is going to care as much about your wedding as you do so dont get offended or take it personal when they dont give you the attention you are seeking.

2. If you realllllly want a certain vendor then save save save and make it happen. you dont want to regret it in the future

3. do not stress the minor details. not only will your guests not notice it...but neither will you on the day of! i forgot to look at so much stuff onmy wedding day that i doubt guests will have noticed it either

4. Registry stalk! you only get to do this once so if you wanna stalk then stalk! i had a blast doing that.

5. do what makes YOU happy....if people dont get your vision then who cares?! this is you and your fh's wedding. your ideas will be in YOUR pictures forever so do it up how you want

6. Eat at your wedding!! You paid all that money for your food...Eat IT!!!

7. if you can....take pictures before the ceremony. one of the best decisions we ever made was to do this. we had a private 'reveal' moment which allowed us to kiss and hug each other and just savor that moment. we also had 3 hours to take pictures which gave us a calmer and more fun atmoshphere. we were also able to attend CH and greet most of the guests so we didnt have to at the reception

Lovebug2016 Posted: Jun 22, 2010 05:31 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

To enjoy every minute of your day, dont rush anything. It goes by in a heartbeat! And dont get to drunk lol

2010BTB Posted: Nov 03, 2010 01:29 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

BUMP

barbtony Posted: Nov 03, 2010 01:34 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

Whatever the situation is on the day of, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, let anyone stress you out!!!!! You will not enjoy the experience if you do!!!!!!

Know your vendors - make sure you trust them!!!!! Always go with your gut when chosing your vendors!!!!!!!! Its better than any review you can read!!!!!!!! IMO

Get as much done as possible before the wedding. I had a couple of days off with, believe it or not, nothing to do!!!!!!!!! And it was great!!!!!!!!

halfbaked Posted: Nov 03, 2010 02:24 PM

Re: Best piece of advice...

Don't sweat the small stuff. If you can't afford to do everything, don't. NOBODY is going to miss it, not even you!

Sandradv121 Posted: Nov 03, 2010 02:34 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Oh i have a lot lol

1) Enjoy your engagement. Its the best time of your life.
2) You may fight with your FH over everything from coughcough Tuxedos to limos to cake flavors but in the end, if you can survive wedding planning than you and your FH can survive ANYTHING. LOL
3) The morning of your wedding, wake up earlier so you can have time to reflect on the day ahead of you. I actually woke up and went on the elliptical for about an hour. It was the best thing ever because I was clear minded for the events of the day
4) Eat at your wedding. I didn't eat CH but I sure as hell ate at the Reception.
5) the best thing I ever did was hire a DOC. Francesca was the best vendor and completely had control over everything; cameras and all.
6) Don't get drunk at your wedding. I drank afterward. It was the best thing ever. I vividly remember my wedding.
7) Sleep as much as you can the week of.
8) have your final fitting the week of your wedding. I lost 10 pounds 2 weeks before and thank god I actually listened to the seamstress.
9) Have a Mantra. Mine was Hawaii. Say it when you get annoyed or pissed.
10) Take everything in and never forget your FH's face when you walk down the aisle. Its the best moment of your life. I promise you.

2010BTB Posted: Nov 03, 2010 02:51 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Posted by Sandradv121

10) Take everything in and never forget your FH's face when you walk down the aisle. Its the best moment of your life. I promise you.

LOVE this piece of advice!!

Future Mrs H Posted: Nov 03, 2010 02:53 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

I have a few now that I am married!

1) Enjoy your wedding week! I did! Try to get as much done as possible before hand so you dont have alot of craziness that week.

2)Make sure you eat at your wedding- You are paying for all this wonderful food you should enjoy it too

3)This one I cant stress too much- Make sure you give you photographer a list of your must take pics. Dont assume that they will take the ones that seem pretty normal.

4) I took this from a '09 bride. At one point just sit down and take it all in. Enjoy watching your guest enjoy themselves.

5) Dance- Dance- Dance!! Once your guest see you get up to dance they will.

6) If you are going to drink at your wedding- make sure you alternate with water. You need to keep hydrated.

7)Dont stress the small stuff. Things may go wrong just remember the real reason on the day- you are marrying your best friend.

8) Enjoy your engagement- it will be here before you know it.

Congrats 2011 girls!! Cant wait to start seeing your pics!!!

BlushandBashful Posted: Nov 03, 2010 02:55 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Love this thread!

elp6421 Posted: Nov 03, 2010 03:29 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

I'm not married yet, but I am close enough that I think I can share what I have learned up until this point.

1.) Remember, you and FH should be on the same side. Don't let family members come between you.

2.) Choose your bridal party wisely.

3.) If possible, go to all vendor meetings with your FH only. If you bring extra people it just adds to the difficulty in making decisions.

4.) Don't let this site overwhelm you. Take a deep breath during the planning. Try not to compare.

MikesBride2B Posted: Nov 03, 2010 03:40 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Elope.

Future Mrs H Posted: Nov 03, 2010 03:40 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Posted by MikesBride2B

Elope.

barbtony Posted: Nov 03, 2010 03:43 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Posted by MikesBride2B

Elope.

So true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im_My_Own_Princess Posted: Nov 03, 2010 03:57 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

1-don't be scared to be pushy with your vendors... if you have a gut feeling.. GO WITH IT, don't let them pull the 'we're professionals, trust us' line. yes, they are professionals.. but they aren't YOU.
make sure you communicate, provide examples, be demanding... don't be scared to be called a bridezilla, because you're not.. you're just trying to guarantee that your dream will come true.

2-Don't panic, most girls start to panic a month or two beforehand... everything will play out how its meant to play out. stressing and freaking out will solve nothing. nobody is going to remember all the small things. as much as i hate to admit it. most guest are interested in the food, the music and your dress... not what the menu looked like and if you were wearing heels or flats.

3- the day REALLY does fly by... make sure you try and sit back and enjoy it....

4- eat something the morning of.. even if its just a bite of a bagel...

5- enjoy every second with your husband, don't worry about your guests.. i'm sure they'll understand if you're not there to thank them when they leave... you only have one day.. you can thank them when you see them next.

laulac98 Posted: Nov 03, 2010 04:39 PM

Re: 11ers....Best piece of advice for future brides...

Posted by Sandradv121

1) Enjoy your engagement. Its the best time of your life.

2) You may fight with your FH over everything from coughcough Tuxedos to limos to cake flavors but in the end, if you can survive wedding planning than you and your FH can survive ANYTHING. LOL

4) Eat at your wedding. I didn't eat CH but I sure as hell ate at the Reception.

5) the best thing I ever did was hire a DOC. Francesca was the best vendor and completely had control over everything; cameras and all.

6) Don't get drunk at your wedding. I drank afterward. It was the best thing ever. I vividly remember my wedding.

7) Sleep as much as you can the week of.

9) Have a Mantra. Mine was Hawaii. Say it when you get annoyed or pissed.

10) Take everything in and never forget your FH's face when you walk down the aisle. Its the best moment of your life. I promise you.

I agree with all these

Also, GO TO YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR!!!! DH and I did and it was the best decision we made! We made our rounds and saw everyone during that time so all we did at the reception was dance and have an amazing time.