What advice would you give the 2010 brides?

1. Think about your DIY projects and make sure you have time to get them all done. Dont wait too long to start on them.

2. Do research and dont choose a vendor because they are 'popular on LIW' we all have different tastes, read the BBB reports before making a decision

3. Take time during the planning process to just be with your FH. Make a date night, sit and just talk with no TV on. Planning consumes you both and you will be stressed so please dont forget this whole shindig you are both stressing over is to celebrate your love for one another!

My only advice would be not to stress too much!

There are always going to be things you can't control - esp things like the weather. Even up until the morning of my wedding it said thunderstorms and there was not a drop of rain and nothing but sunshine!

There are also going to be completely random things that happen that no amount of planning will stop, so just relax and enjoy the day!

Oh and also to stick to your budget as much as possible. I had a crazy super detailed Excel spreadsheet going but it really helped us so much!

Thanks so much ladies

Don't worry about the weather..it was raining cats and dogs when I left for church..did it suck? Yes..but I got over it lol. Nothing else matters but you two on that day. The sun was out by the end of the ceremony, and I still got to take pics outside.

Don't let all your DIY projects pile up..I was doing things right up until the last day...I wish I hadn't procrastinated so I could just relax the day/night before.

GET A MASSAGE!!!! My friends took me to the spa the day before...OMG was it just what I needed and totally relaxed me!

Don't sweat the little things - everything will fall into place and your day will be magical.

LIW is a great resource..but don't feel that you HAVE to do everything that everyone else is doing...do what works for you and your budget. Although I have to admit, those little details that I thought no one else would notice, they totally did, and it made everything extra special..I am still getting comments on the extras.

Don't second guess your decisions...I was so bad at this...everything from my dress to my RH to vendors...just go with your gut & your first instinct.

Above all, remember what they day is about..you two and no one else..don't take anything personally and let someone ruin your day.

Relax and enjoy your day..it goes by in a flash!

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Posted by GRod2Be

Don't rush and get things so quickly because sooner or later your going to regret your choices.

I rushed and bought my DOJ then i totally regretted it and wanted to buy an entire new set and had to waste more money than needed to.

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I agree with this big time!!! Although I am very happy with my dress and I like it I don't LOVE it. I'm still hoping once alterations are finished I'll be happier.

awww,Thanks guys!

aww thanks girls!!!

Be SURE you choose the RH you want & you dont have to rush into booking it 2 1/2 years in advance.

I made the mistake by choosing a RH that I could NOT afford in 2007. I ended up cancelling it and booked a smaller hall that isnt on this website and I booked it only a year ago.

In the grand scheme of things, I saved a TON of money and am so happy with it.

Well for starters, pick a RH thats already booked, so you don't end up like me!

Then, don't try to keep up with the Jones'. You don't have to do every little detail that you see other girls do on this site. The things you think people notice, very few actually do, so try not to sweat it. I've let them ALL go at this point, haha.

Sticking to your budget is a good one...

And lastly, enjoy each other. I've been so stressed out during this process bc of my RH, my FH thinks I'm a lunatic. Wedding planning should be a fun enjoyable time in your life and make sure you keep it that way.

This is a great thread.

Thanks for starting it.

I have a silly request. Could one of you 09'ers send me your excel sheet so i could see how i'm setting it up? You can x out the $ amounts. I hear about all your detailed sheets and my budget sheet is totally bare! I kinda want to get an idea of what i'm in for.

TIA!

me too me too please!

Thanks so much for this! It's a HUGE help

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Posted by futuremrsjc2010

This is awesome thank you very much ladies

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ITA!!
This is truly 'Brides Helping Brides'

Thanks girls!! Lots of helpful tips in here!!

1. Don't go overboard! LIW quickly becomes keeping up with the Jones' and while extras are a very nice touch, too many extras start to look a little so stay true to your own vision!

2. Don't stress the things you cannot control. This includes the weather, speed in which guests mail back their RSVP cards, vendors and many other variables. Things will go wrong and everything will still be okay

3. Don't lose who you are just because you're planning a wedding. Don't forget to make time for the man who loves you and don't use being engaged as an excuse to act like a beeeeotch for a year or two.

4. Don't feel pressured to rush and buy things just to check them off a list. I did this with my dress, shoes, cake topper, serving set and toasting flutes. Then I found ones I really liked and in some cases I repurchased. You don't need to really go out and buy most of this stuff until you're pretty close to the wedding anyway (except the dress, obviously!)

5. Enjoy it! It's only as stressful as you make it! Be happy and blissful and blushing!

Thank you so much ladies!

Pretend your wedding is a month before and complete everything by then.

I was told this by a weddig planner- did it- and got to relax the month before- I was bored but heck, i didnt get sick!

DIY as much as you can. It adds a certain character to your wedding...and make it personal....

DOnt allow family to be involved. Always say (It took a while for me to learn this) Thats great advice (Insert name here) and I will discuss it and decide. We have everything under control as of now...

AND THE BIGGEST_

DO NOT LET ANYTHING bother you on your wedding day! I had to have my doc get my a curling iron because my hair went straight and we took pictures and laughed about it....

I promise, the night goes fast so dont leave your fhs side and... make sure you guys get like 5 minutes at least alone- just to talk... it makes a big difference!

OHHH
and one huge important thing dh and i did...

MAKE A DATE NIGHT ONCE A MONTH...
then the month of the wedding
ONCE A WEEK

this doesnt have to be crazy amounts of money. A few times we did a picnic in the park... packed a lunch and sat at the beach... went to a diner for dessert- we cut corners but we made sure we got out that once a month...
And the one month we didnt we had a huge fight but that could just be coinkidink!

but do it!