Weddingbee boards

Ok ladies, I'm officially a Mrs.!!  It was the greatest weekend ever and I was once again reminded of the amazing friends and family I have.  While I will probably check in every once in a while, I think its time for me to say farewell to the hive.  I've enjoyed every moment of my time here, but its time for me to move onto other ventures.  Before I go, I thought I would share some things that I learned through the whole planning process and on the big day!  Take it for what its worth as its based solely on my experience and remember to keep smiling!!!

 1.   Work with the best, most reputable, vendors you can afford.  With very very few exceptions, the people I worked with were amazing (I'm happy to share their names/ contact info if anyone is interested).  Our caterer was the glue that pulled everything together and the entire day went off without a hitch.  We passed on some details in order to fit them into our budget, but I wouldn't change a thing.  I've found that in the wedding industry, as with most things, you get what you pay for and sometimes its better to pay a bit more for the peace of mind to know your special day is in good hands. 

2.    Stay Organized.  In the beginning, my fiance thought I was insane for creating a wedding binder, but it ended up being the best thing I could have done.  I kept copies of every contract signed, check written, email sent.  Even with the best vendors, there can be discrepancies or confusion along the way, having everything at your fingertips will make the whole process much less stressful. 

3.    Keep everything.  Since I planned our wedding from a distance, almost all of the planning was done by email.  I have every email that I sent and received saved in a folder entitled "wedding."  Just yesterday, there was an issue with one of our less than stellar vendors and I was able to pull out an email from 6 months ago and the issue was resolved. 

4.    Talk to your DJ or band about what you want and don't want.  Music was a big issue for us.  I gave our band a specific list of songs we expected, the general type of music we wanted to hear, and what we absolutely did not want to hear.  Make sure to give them the list far enough ahead of time so that you can discuss your expectations with them and make sure they can meet them. 

5.    Be nice!  To the people you work with, as well as to your fiance, friends and family.  Its hard for people to be happy for you when you are nasty or have stepped all over them.  Vendors work with brides all the time and we have to keep in mind that while its the biggest day for us, its not for them, its just another "job."  A good vendor will make you feel like you are the biggest fish they have to fry, but you aren't.  You are far more likely to get the results you want if you are easy to work with.  In the big scheme of things, its one day, one wonderful, amazing day, but when its all said and done, your relationships are far more important.   

6.  Bend.  So your bridesmaid picked ugly shoes or has a tattoo that you hate, the MOG bought her dress before your mom, your moms haircolor is awful, just awful, the shower invitations your bridesmaids picked out are not "you".  Ask yourself this, "who cares??"  As brides, we tend to get hung up on details that noone else will notice and that, in the end, are inconsequential.  What they will remember is how great it was to be a part of your wedding because it was fun and easy, and you didn't make them feel bad about themselves in the process.  Keep in mind that they may hate your dress, or your haircolor, or your shoes...but I doubt they will tell you.  Enjoy the time and cherish the things about your friends and family that make you love them...even the bad taste in shoes!

7.    Dance.... a lot.   

8.    Don't worry about where the photographer is.  There will be some good and some bad pics.  No one has to see the bad ones except you and the photographer.  Have a blast and the pics will show the true spirit of your day, pose every time you see a flash...not so much. 

9.    Dance some more...and sing!

10.   Don't worry about getting your dress dirty.  You've protected the dress like a newborn baby since the moment you got it, but now you've walked down the aisle, you've had the moment when everyone looks at you and "oohed and aahed."   Now...have fun.  If the ring bearer (or groom) steps on it and rips your bustle, tell him its ok and give him a hug, then have your bridesmaids pin it back up (tip 10B - bring safety pins, but you already know that).  If you worry about the dress, its taking away from the time of your life. 

Enjoy every moment!  Laugh, have fun, be the person that your fiance fell in love with.  Don't take yourself too seriously and its so true what everyone says, it goes by in the blink of an eye, so drink it all in. 

 I wish you all the best of luck and all the happiness in the future!

love,

Mrs. RIBride