I was a bride a little over a year ago. I had the engagement ring, went through the planning process and now have had enough time to reflect on mine and my husband’s special day. The result? A little wisdom, I think, to pass on to brides to be!
So, here are my top 10 words/phrases of wisdom for the wedding planning process to the day itself. I hope they’re helpful! And do ask anything in the comments section below…
Planning
1. Accept help. Let people help you; don’t try to do all the planning on your own. Weddings are a family affair and they mean a lot to family and friends. I loved making decorations with my maid of honour and mum.
2. Family photographs. We got a tip when we planned our wedding from a relative: make sure there is time for family – in particular grandparents – photographs. It’ll be these that you look back on in the future.
3. Plan evening food. Our evening food got gobbled up at our wedding and fuelled our guests for more merriment and dancing.
4. Have an MC. Weddings are busy events and people need to know what they need to do and where they need to be. It’s okay saying you want a relaxed wedding but you still need a certain amount of structure. An MC is the perfect way to keep your guests in the know.
5. Ceremony decorations. Really think about your ceremony decorations and what is worth the time and money. What will your guests actually notice and appreciate?
6. Consider all guests. If you have grandparents, think where they’ll sit when they’re tired. If you have kids at your wedding, then think about organising a kids table or games. Everyone will then feel like a big part of your day.
Wedding Day
7. Create a firm ‘cut off’ point. If you are decorating your own venue, then you keep easily be doing this the morning of your wedding. Make sure you have a firm time that you leave to get ready for the day. Whatever happens, whatever the unforeseen problem, leave at that time.
8. Keep to timings, roughly. It’s important not to be too rigid with timings, however if you have mapped out your wedding day in terms of timings, it’s a good idea to try and stay as close to this as possible. Otherwise you might run out of time and not be able to do certain planned elements.
9. Couple photograph timings. Think carefully about when, if at all, you and your groom/bride are going to have some couple photographs. There are certain parts of the wedding day, especially, where you’ll be on such a high that the last thing you want to do is to leave the party.
10. Newlyweds goody bag. Make sure you have the chef prepare you a little goody bag to take away with you when you leave your reception. You’ll have been pulled, happily, in so many directions throughout the day that you wouldn’t have eaten as much and you’ll be mega grateful for the food later on.