Official 08 married brides advice to future brides thread

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter what happens!!!

Be sure to take it all in.

DANCE!! DH & I never dance, we hate it! That day we never left the dance floor. I dont know what it was but we had the best time!!

Make sure you eat/drink!! Dont get drunk! Even sober you wont remember much of the day!

Remind family/friends (in advance) to take lots of pictures, especially the details, JUST IN CASE!!

I can now give advice!

1. Spend some alone time with dh..We actually went to the bridal suite with our cocktail hour food (just me and him) and now that I think back on it..I'm glad we did..it was our special day and it meant a lot to really reflect and share that with him..away from all the commotion of guests...

2. Enjoy every second of the day..don't let stupid little things that may go wrong ruin your day! Remember the true meaning of the day

3. GET A VIDEO!! I didn't get mine back yet..But I'm so happy we got one..the day goes so fast..so there are things you may miss (unfortunately we forget and things may go unnoticed)

4. Take it all in!!! The day goes so quickly!

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Posted by nifheim

i didn't do a checklist i handed it to the photog kinda so that is where i messed up. I would put someone who you really trust in charge of that. Either your parents, MOH or the bestman.

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That is the BEST advice! I never thought to give a checklist to a BM I figured the photographer would be enough but I guess not!

Thanks so much!

Yes, definitely enjoy the whole day!

1) Stay within your budget. You don't have to get the most expensive of everything.
2) Don’t let family or friends stress you out with how to plan your own wedding. It’s your day, you do what you want.
3) You will know your true friends when it comes around to your wedding. If someone you really expected to be there for you doesn’t show an interest, don’t sob about it.
4) You will get overwhelmed at some point during the planning, just breathe, make a list of all your “to-do’s” and take it one step at a time.
5) Some things you should spend the extra money on: Photography. Be the judge for yourselves. I had an awesome photographer!
6) DIY what you can. I saved a ton DIYing stuff.
7) Everyone will not RSVP. As easy as the process is, some people just won’t. Don’t sweat it, just call them up.
8) Start planning early. Don’t think you have an unlimited amount of time because time flies by so fast.
9) Everyone that comes to your wedding will not give you a gift. You would think people should just know by now (but they don’t). We just went with the idea to not expect anything and we turned out pretty ok. We were grateful for what we got.
10) Do your research. You will want quality but it is possible to get quality at a good price. Compare your prices before you make a decision. We flip flopped on a lot of things. We could have saved ourselves the trouble if we had just done some more research.
11) You don’t have to invite everyone you know to your wedding.

Have a friend or DOC bring your food and beverage contract to the reception and be familiar with it.
I was enjoying the wedding...but it was too late by time I realized how many things they left out and mixed up. i just thought everything was great.
Alterations are king.
Nothing will impact how your feel as a bride like a well fitted dress.
I had two dresses....one i took to a great tailor in the city, one I let the shop alter. The short dress I wore in Montauk never quite fit right.
I would say cut back on favors or flowers or something to get the best alterations you can afford.
Shoes,undergarments,hair, and makeup also shape how you feel as a bride.
Photography is probably the most important decision.....go with someone you love. Again I would consider trimming down something else like deserts or flowers or favors to pay for the photog you love.
I love formal weddings, (my cousin had the best black tie wedding ever!)but mine was very informal, people had a really good time. At the end of the day it's all about seeing your guests celebrate for your happiness. If having an informal wedding saves you and your guests a lot of headaches......go for it.
Try a few DIY's...but don't make them make you crazy. My hair flopped because I was running around in the heat setting up my flowers.
Guest travel was my biggest stress by far. If someone in your family can take on the role of travel agent/concierge the week of....you will be much happier.
I had a very detailed website, and spent a lot of time and energy finding housing deals....and guests really didn't use it .
LIW is a sensational site....but don't feel inferior if you see a lot of things you don't have....take the ideas you love and leave the rest.
Cheers to the 09 10 11 brides!!!!!!!!!
Suzanne

Thanks girls... this advice is great!

1- Enjoy every second of the pampering the morning of your wedding. Sit back and realize that the day is all about you and DH. I felt like a movie star while the hairstylist was doing my hair and when I got my makeup done. Enjoy it!

2- Take a DEEP breath when that music plays and the doors open.....all eyes WILL be on you! It was such a surreal feeling. I looked around for about two seconds and then my eyes were on DH the rest of the time....this makes that walk so much more special!

3- Hold DH's hand the entire day and realize this is the beginning of the rest of your lives together!

4- Don't sweat the small stuff....you planned for so long for a reason...everything WILL work out!

5- Find time alone with DH. When they brought me up to bustle my dress, DH and I stayed in our bridal suite alone for a little while and had a few appetizers....this time alone is really the only time you'll have the entire day!

6- Definitely go around to each table and say hi and thank you to each couple/guest...they do appreciate it.

7- When you get back home that night, have your DH carry you through the threshold...this was a great way to mark the ending of a beautiful day and the beginning of a new life together!