2007-01-27 02:58:49 · 20 answers · asked by stephaniebm01 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I don't really wish I'd done anything differently. We were engaged for about 10 months and we really worked together to plan everything. I will, however, give you some tips and advice since you're just beginning to plan.
1. Sit down with your fiance and figure out what kind of wedding you want to have. I received a wedding planning book called the "Simple Stunning Wedding Organizer" by Karen Bussen and Ellen Silverman as a gift. It has questions and activities in the front that helped us tremendously. We were able to figure out our theme, overall feeling, and what was important to us using the questions in this book. Then we didn't spend money on things that weren't important.
2. Your outfit will be more expensive than you think. It's not just the dress (shoes, undergarments, jewelry, nails, hair...) so budget more than you think you'll need.
3. If you choose a reception site that's already very pretty and has the kind of feeling you're looking for, you won't need a lot of decorations.
4. Choose bridesmaids that you love and trust. They'll make your planning process and wedding day wonderful!
5. Don't believe the hype that a buffet is cheaper. It can actually be more expensive than a sit-down dinner because the reception site has to make a lot more food. Ask about the price difference!
6. No matter how much you plan, things will go wrong. You just have to know that and take everything in stride. If you try to control everything, you'll make yourself nuts.
7. Get someone to act as your wedding coordinator/director. If you're having a church wedding, you're going to need someone at the back of the church to keep everyone in line and tell them what to do. When people are getting ready to go down that aisle, they lose all common sense and need that kind of help. She can also help make sure things are taken care of so you don't have to worry! I asked my matron of honor's mother to act as mine, and I'm so glad I did!
Congratulations and best of luck to you! :)
2007-01-27 03:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by Dawn S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I probably would have done a smaller, destination wedding. Like Hawaii or something, then everyone would've just had a big 'ol vacation too! No matter what you do, just make sure you enjoy your day though. Enjoy the process of planning your wedding, don't get so wrapped up in all the little details that you lose sight of why you're doing all this in the first place. Remember your wedding is just 1 day, but your marriage will hopefully last your lifetime. Best of wishes to you!
2016-05-24 05:15:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When i got engaged I had a year and 7 months to plan the wedding. I got so caught up in the excitement that I made a lot of plans prematurly before I talked to others or really thought about what I wanted. I am getting married in 5 months and I would say I am happy with my choice of 2 out of 5 bridesmaids and maybe 2 out of 5 groomsmen. Dont' ask people right away. Wait several months and really think about those that will be able to purchase their own dresses, take the time to do all the things you want, are agreeable and flexible and are loyal friends. Do not necessarily pick those people that you are related to or that you have known forever out of principle because you will find that they are not the people you thought they were. When you get married and you have a lot of single friends in the wedding, jealousy can sometimes overtake the women and they want things their way. Just take your time in selecting your wedding party and selecting whether you want a small or large wedding. If I could book everything agian i would take ten of my friends and go to vegas. Really think before you do anything. And stick to what you want. Do not let other people sway your decisions on anything.
2007-01-27 05:44:12 · answer #3 · answered by lilcutegirl1128 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish I would have hired a professional photographer rather than relying on friends who took really nice pictures. I'm glad that I paid the $50 to have the cake delivered. I'm glad that I rented candelabras from the florist rather than trying to decorate the church with flowers. I wish that I had given myself more than 7 months (I think one extra month would have made all the difference in the world). I'm glad that I picked a simple theme.
I'm glad that I picked my dress first so I could set the style of the wedding around it. I'm glad that I didn't pick the colors until I found out what colors of bridesmaids dresses would be available at the time.
Just remember, it will be what it will be. You will make wiser decisions if you don't sweat the small stuff. Have your man help - I'd give mine something to look for and he'd bring back 3 or 4 options for me to pick from - cake topper, guest book, bakeries, etc.
Congratulations, good luck and make it fun!
2007-01-27 23:34:09 · answer #4 · answered by Kristi C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Organized a little more, listened to other people a little less, saved more money! Save as much money as you possibly can, you'll need it. See how involved your fiance wants to be with the planning, then you'll have an idea of how much you need to compromise. Try not hurt other people's feelings by ignoring their opinions, but remember that ultimately it matters that you and your fiance are happy. If you want something that your families aren't willing to pay for, be prepared to pay for it yourselves or give it up. Remember that anything your families do for you is a courtesy, not an obligation. You're the one getting married. Be thankful, but stand your ground on the important stuff. Try not to stress yourself (and everyone else) out. Just do a lot of planning in advance. Good luck!
2007-02-03 08:04:48 · answer #5 · answered by Leslie L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish I'd remembered I had a very nice cream silk suit (it was gorgeous it had a lace overlay). I borrowed a dress from my soon to be sister in law...also I'd made sure when my mother said she was taking the pictures that I knew she intended to just give me the negatives and not the actually pictures, made sure we saved more money for the honeymoon and planned ahead and made reservations instead of winging it ( we went to Branson, but got married Labor Day weekend and didn't realize prices would be jacked up). Other then that I'd not change anything, me wedding was very inexpensive and simple.
2007-01-27 04:03:57 · answer #6 · answered by Kitikat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am also in the process of palnning my wedding. It is in five months and I've been planning it for a while. I would suggest from experience to sit down with your fiance and really discuss what it is exactly that you want for the wedding. You may clash on ideas but learn to compromise. And DO NOT get ahead of yourself and get carried away with the plans if it means straying away from what you REALLY want. It is very easy to get carried away when planning a wedding because of all the excitement involved, but always remember it is You and your fiance's wedding, not anyone else's.
2007-01-27 03:06:43 · answer #7 · answered by skye_lashay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish I had listened less to everyone else and did what I really wanted. You only get one shot at your wedding and you will remember it for the rest of your life. Don't let anyone talk you into or out of anything you have your heart set on. Also, I really wish I had hired a professional videographer. I had a family member record it and he did AWFUL!! And now I don't have a video to watch. Good luck!
2007-02-02 16:16:44 · answer #8 · answered by Happily married 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i could do anything differently I would have not invited a few people that we did and included some of the people we didn't invite. The day before my wedding i was very stressed trying to organise everything and everyone so i wish i could change that (i was a bridezilla)! i would have also had stubby holders printed with our details on them!
2007-02-03 17:40:32 · answer #9 · answered by sommie_23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish that I would have chosen a different maid of honor. I really don't have alot of girlfriends. My best female friend was 9 months pregnant and due any day so she was out of the question. My husband suggested his best female friend that was also a friend of mine. So she was my only brides maid. In the end my day turned into her day. She threw me a batchlorette party, invited none of my friends. Made no plans for it at all, there was no food, drinks, games. I ended up sitting in my house surrounded by no one that I knew except my two mothers in law and grandmothers in law. The day of the wedding I found out that she had canceled our appointment with my hair dresser and made one with her's. Her hair dresser tried to touch up my hair color and fried my hair so bad that they had to cut 2 ft off I ended up with an old ladies hair cut the day of my wedding and a totally bald head the day after because the rest fell out. Not to mention she changed my flower order and the cake order. Threw a fit because she didn't approve of my cake topper and broke it. Just be careful who you entrust with what for your wedding plans.
2007-02-01 05:53:11 · answer #10 · answered by 3Xmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋