Supersized Wedding Wednesday

A lot of girls dream most of their teen and adult life what their wedding will be like. It is the one day that should be like a fairytale. A beautiful dress, your prince charming, a wonderful party...

{Insert record scratch, glass breaking noise here.}

Turns out, weddings, or I should say, wedding planning is no fairytale. It's a lot of work. And while there are times that are a lot of fun, there will be a lot of stress, a few tears, and probably a few expletives thrown around.

So for those of you that are just starting your wedding planning journey, or will be soon, I, along with some other amazing bride-to-be and newlywed bloggers are sharing some advice that will hopefully help as embark on this crazy adventure.


What is one piece of advice you would like to give girls who have just started to plan their weddings?

This sounds easy, but so many girls forget it - it's your day. Do you want to look back on your wedding in ten years and think of how you did what your mom wanted, what your friend wanted. This day is about you and your husband - do what you want!




 

Think of the few things that matter the absolute most to you and focus your time and energy on those items. For everything else, just make a decision as quickly as possible with the information you have on hand. Also, when guests come at you with 80 million questions at the last minute, make sure you have a bridesmaid on hand that you can direct people to.

Set a budget, spend wisely, don't consider things out of your price range like a dress unless you are willing to cut something else out, it will only lead to frustration and no bride needs that. Gather up a lot of ideas and pictures that you like then tailor them to meet your tastes and budget.

Have a general vision for your wedding when you get started. Aggregate images and ideas that complete that vision and then stick to it. A lot of people will try to change your mind because it's not what they would do for their wedding. But it's not their wedding, it's yours! I originally wanted all my bridesmaids to pick their own dresses in navy. But then a few people mentioned, "you know navy can be different colors" or "what if their dresses don't look the same!?" Well, that was kind my vision! I eventually caved to the pressure, but still totally regret it. 

What is one thing you wish you wish you could change about your wedding planning experience?  

Remembering that someday, those single friends/family members with the strongest opinions about your big day will go through this themselves and you can sit back and smile/bite your tongue as their former opinions disappear. I spent way too much time/stress concerning myself with keeping everyone happy.

 

My biggest regret was not setting up a firm budget-there was always a certain dollar amount in mind, but it was very flexible. We were really blessed to have my parents cover almost everything and his parents pick up a few other items. But I never hashed out a solid number with mine...so my mom would ok things as we went along. I got stressed by this at times when I needed to make a quick call on something.

 

Budgeting. I do it on a daily basis so it's not a huge deal, but when you are budgeting your parents' money it's a little more stressful. I mean, I don't know about you but, after being out on my own, it's ten times more difficult to swallow my pride and allow my parents to pay for this. In addition, weddings aren't cheap, so the added stress of forking out thousands of dollars isn't something I'd choose to do over again.

I was totally one of those brides that cared way too much about what other people thought. I wish I had remembered that the day was really supposed to be about me and not everyone else! I wouldn't have done anything differently, it would have just helped me to relax a bit during the wedding planning process.

What is one thing you have realized isn't as important to your wedding as you originally thought?

Going in to the wedding planning I knew a lot of things were just not 'for us'. Buying a house was the bigger picture for us and we knew we just couldn't justify spending thousands of dollars on flowers, reception locations, paper products. I knew I wanted a beautiful dress, who doesn't I feel like we've always been taught that you will have a great moment of clarity when you find 'the dress', not so. I had plenty of beautiful dress to try on but no 'white light and birds singing and people crying' ever happened. I think I was looking for that moment, that just didn't happen. So to others out there don't get frustrated if you don't have that magical experience in the dressing room, because the moment we ordered it I felt a huge wave of contentment with my choice.

 
Honestly, who was there. Because we had a destination wedding, the entire planning process was fairly simple (obviously I didn't have many choices for vendors and details in Jamaica!) but I really stressed about the guest list and people who weren't going to be able to make it. In the end, the perfect group of people was there and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Originally I thought that making everyone happy with my decisions was going to be the best route; however, quickly I found out that wasn't the case. This is mine and Chris' wedding, not my parents, his parents, or our friends. They will all accept our decisions in the long run, so I need to make the decisions for us, not for them. I want this to be a fun wedding, but I also want it to be mine. Making everyone happy is not the most important thing. Making this a wedding Chris and I will always remember and cherish is the most important thing.


 

Putting outrageous time, thought, and money into tiny details. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the fact is, no one will remember that the lilies on the dining tables were a rare exotic species. No one will remember that your bridesmaids' dresses were just one shade off from the ribbon in your hair.  

What thing has been the most fun about your wedding planning?


Going wedding dress shopping with my mom and sister has been the most fun by far! We spent the morning trying on dresses then went to lunch and after lunch went back and paid for my dress! It was such a thrill and I am so blessed to have been able to spend that special day with my two favorite girls, mom and lil' sis.

I loved trying on dresses and of course our tastings! I think the best was going to try signature cocktail recipes together! I also just loved seeing all of my ideas and lists come to life at our wedding, it's such a surreal moment when you realize all that planning is actually happening!

I absolutely loved the quality time I spent with my mom, mother-in-law, and sister while planning our big day. Our moms have been good friends ever since.

It has been so much fun flexing my creative muscles, whether its looking at flower arrangements, invitation designs, table decor, etc. Pinterest has been such a blessing because I can now just spend hours browsing beautiful pictures. It has also been a lot of fun to see how much joy my wedding planning has brought some of my friends and family members. I think it's more fun to plan someone elses wedding than your own.

I totally agree with everything these girls have said. Most importantly, it is you and your future husband's (or wife's) day and no one elses! So do what you want. And if a big ol' wedding is not your thing, then elope. Trust me, I probably would have eloped 8 times already if I had the guts.

The wonderful advice is courtesy of Robin from At Four O'Clock, Jaime from Toby's Tails Blog, Lisa from Two Martinis, Tracey from Talkative TLC, Meredith from Belle in Boots, and Sara from Sara in Texas

So, what about you? What wedding planning advice do you have for the rest of us?

Linking up with Wedding Wednesday, Random Wednesday, Wildcard Wednesday