1. When picking your bridal party/groomsman list, pick individuals that are financially stable. There are other tasks you can give friends that may find is challenging to purchase bridal party attire or participate in events. This will save friendships.
2. DO NOT allow your bridal party to stress you out. If someone is showing you that they don’t TRULY want to be in your bridal party let them go and don’t look back. As much as you may want certain people to be a part of your day, if they are not showing how happy they are for you… let it go. Don’t hold grudges, just focus on your upcoming wedding, that’s what it important.
3. When picking your guest list, if you have ANY doubt at all about them attending.. REMOVE THEM. Only invite family and friends that you know care about you the most.
4. Leave the gossipers home. You will see peoples true colors throughout the process and some people will ONLY come to your wedding to talk about you. You know who these people are, leave them home.
5. Plan ahead. Pay for as much as you can ahead of time. Do not allow yourself and your future spouse to become financially stressed. It’s about the marriage, not the wedding.
6. Research all vendors. All reviews are not accurate or truthful. If they take too long to respond to you, or customer service is not A+… move on to the next one.
7. UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
8. Yes, the DJ needs that amount of money. The DJ controls the biggest party of your life… PAY THEM. A lot more goes into being a DJ than just playing music.
9. It’s okay to have a long engagement. Do not rush yourself. Take time for detail… in most cases, you will only do this once.
10. At your wedding, please take a second to look around and take it all in. The evening will FLY by. If you don’t take that second.. it will be over before you know it.
11. First look photos are a good idea. It allows the videographer and photographer to capture more moments with you and your future spouse.
12. Catering will be one of your biggest bills. It’s okay to have one meal option and a veggie selection.
13. EVERY WEDDING NEEDS A PLANNER. DON’T SKIP IT. NO, AUNTIE CAN NOT DO IT. Pay a company that has experience with wedding planning. They will know sooooo much more than you or auntie Bertha.
14. Understand that there is still a mortgage and other bills after the wedding. Stay away from loans. You still have to live after you say I do
15. DO NOT STRESS. Another reason why you need a planner.
16. A reception dress isn’t a necessity, but it’s a great idea, If it’s in your budget… get one
17. Understand that it’s okay to lose some “friends” during the wedding planning process. Everyone is not meant to enter the next chapter of life with you.
18. If you have a groomzilla… (cough… LOUIE) allow him to be involved. Yes, most brides think it’s all about themselves that day… but it’s their day too
19. Understand that just because they are an inexpensive vendor, does not mean they are a good one. sometimes you have to dig a little deeper in your pockets to get the quality you are looking for.
20. Provide nail polish & accessories to your bridal party. This will ensure that everyone is uniform.
21. You, the bride, should get your bridal parties shoe sizes and order all bridal shoes at the same time online. It’s better than searching for sizes individually.
22. Let the bridal party/groomsman know in advance what the expenses are for attire, make up, hair, bachelorette, bachelor party… everything… in as much advance as possible. Allow them to make payments. It’s not easy to be a part of someone’s wedding. It can be expensive. This way, if they can’t pay for it, they can let you know in advance which will avoid confusion later.
23. WALK SLOWLY DOWN THE ASILE! I practically ran... Lol
24. Everyone will not bring you a gift. Accept it.
25. Lastly, make your wedding day about you and your spouse. All music, décor, moments.. should be about the both of you and what matters to you most! Your wedding Is not the one you saw on TCL…. It’s YOUR wedding.