We have survived the wedding! After an almost 6 month hiatus from blogging, hubs and I are back and better than ever! Why?! Cause we are married!!! And it is awesome. I thought I would feel the same after the big day was all said and done, but the truth is, I feel different. I feel like a wife. I have my own family now. And that is a beautiful and powerful thing.
Today, I'd like to chat a bit about my advice for planning and executing your wedding. What an experience it is. Here are my top ten bits of advice for an awesome celebration of marriage!
Number One: Be Willing and Able to Hand Over Control
I am a bit of a control freak with a smidge of bossiness. Haha. I am super bossy. Your wedding day will verge on chaotic, no matter how many people you have on hand, and how well you plan everything. There will come a time when you simply have to let go of the reins and let other people handle all the menial stuff. You (the bride) are the most important person on this day, and you must focus on the task at hand, marrying your best friend and one true love!!
Number two: Take time off after the wedding with your significant other
I can not stress this enough. Nowadays, many couples choose to take their honeymoon a few months after the big day, and we are one of those couples. But we refused to give up our traditional 'honeymoon' in favor of our annual trip to Whistler. So we headed out two days after the wedding for 12 days up North, and it was AWESOME! Don't get me wrong, all of our trips to Whistler have been awesome, but this time was perfect. The quiet time to ourselves was perfect to reflect on our big day, and help cement the memories which will surely fade over time. The break from the stress of planning, family in town, work and real life in general, was just what we needed to refresh and truly appreciate what we had just accomplished. So whether you take off 4 days or 4 weeks together, that time after the wedding is so so SO important in the growth of your new relationship.
Number Three: Hire a GREAT photographer
This is probably one of the most quoted pieces of wedding advice, and all the photos you will see on this blog today are proof. Once the wedding is over, all you have left are photos and memories of the day. Memories fade over time, photographs are timeless. We went with a dear friend and extremely talented lady, Nicole Eisert of N-E Photography, out of Portland. All the photos I am sharing today are captured by her, and were shared on her Facebook page. Nicole was a lifesaver and a true professional on our wedding day. She was funny, but kept business moving along. She stuck to a perfect schedule, and captured all of our requested photos, as well as hundreds more! She was there to witness every moment, but noninvasive. I am thrilled with the photos so far, and I am dying to see the rest of them!
As mentioned above in number one, your wedding day will literally fly by!! You are so busy flitting between guests, drinking, dancing and enjoying the merriment, that at the end of the day, you almost feel like you missed half of your own wedding! This advice was given to me by my best friend, who was married in August. At several points throughout your wedding day, take a moment of pause (and remind your hubby too), and just survey the scene. Take in all the smiling, joyous faces of friends and family who are with you. Admire the beautiful day (and it will be beautiful no matter the weather). Savor the delicious food and drinks you chose to share with those you care most about. It happens so fast. And then you never get those moments again. Lock the memories in as best you can.
Number Five: Be gracious and say thank you!
People will help you in ways you never dreamed of! My florist was unable to complete our centerpieces, so I tasked that to my Aunts, who were visiting from across the country! I probably thanked them a hundred times, and I still question if I did enough to let them know how much I appreciate their help. This day is all about you, so don't act like a diva. Thank the many people who will share your wedding day with you! Make sure each and every one of them hears it direct from your mouth at least once. (Best time is during your speech) Also, be sure your bridal party hears it from you and your partner personally. These people are your best friends and your support system. They are lifesavers on the day of your wedding. THANK THEM!!
P.s. I am a notorious over-thanker.
Number Six: Don't sweat the small stuff
There will be things you planned to have happen on your wedding day, decor you wanted a certain way, songs you wanted played at a certain time etc... that will not happen. Its just the way it is, and it's not a big deal. If you don't raise a fuss about it, no one will even notice!Honestly, you might not even notice! The day is too short and too fun to waste freaking out over things. Kick back, let your hair down, dance, be ridiculous, it is your day! And in hindsight, it doesn't even matter anyway.
Number Seven: Give your significant other some tasks
As I mentioned before, the day flies by and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Don't even try to do everything yourself, you simply can't. You chose to marry this person because you love them and trust them. Give them a job! I am sure James felt even more satisfied and proud of our wedding, knowing that he built the centerpieces, picked up ALL the flowers, transported the guest-barrels and all the alcohol etc. Men are creatures of pride, so the more tasks you assign them, the more opportunities you will have the compliment their job-well-done. My hubby KILLED it on our wedding day.
Number Eight: Hire a Wedding Planner
Do it. Check your pride, your impeccable planning and organization skills, and your pocket book and just DO IT! You want to enjoy your wedding day, right? You simply can't, if everyone is looking to you as the person to solve all the problems that arise. You want your family and friends to enjoy your wedding day right? Your planner will assure your days runs smoothly and on a schedule (so important), as well as make sure the champagne in your glass is always cold. Donna Cole, of Pearl and Roses Wedding Planning was our planner, and she was 110% worth it. There is a planner to fit your every need, from someone who handles everything, to day-of coordinators who help execute your event. Hire a planner. You simply will not regret it.
Number Nine: Relish the family time
Your family will travel from all over to join you on your special day. As I mentioned above, THANK THEM, and take extra time to spend with them. Family is so important, and having as many of them together as possible for such a joyous occasion only happens for weddings! Make sure you carve out time in the days leading up to and after the wedding to spend special time with your family.
 |
| Down the aisle with my papa. This photo was captured by a friend, but perfectly represents our day. So much joy! |
Number ten: Stay true to your style
Over the course of planning a wedding, you will be pulled in my directions and lose focus more than one time. Always keep in mind who you and your partner are and stick to that. James and I's wedding was a perfect reflection of us as a couple and anyone who was there could see that. Above all, you want to enjoy your day, so fill it with things you love and let the rest happen naturally.
Any sage advice you received? Or how about the worst advice ever? Lets hear it!!
