There was a message like this on the July 2014 board last year, so I thought I'd start a new one. That message wasn't terribly active, so I don't believe this one will get a ton of traffic, but it's helpful either way.
Brides from 2014 please leave your best advice, tips, and tricks for our 2015 wedding date twins.
1. Hem your dress to flat feet. I hemmed mine to flat feet and then I had about 3 inch heels. It let the heels just peek out under my dress and when I changed to my flats at the reception it was a perfect length and I never tripped over it. Check out the picture of my heels peeking out.
2. Bathroom. You can do it by yourself! Directions: pull your dress up in front and pull panties all the way down and off one ankle, walk onto the toilet facing the back. Sit facing backwards (towards the tank). Do business. Put panties back on. Boom--no help needed!
3. Take time to make a good photo list for your photographer.
4. Make sure to have food when everyone is getting ready in the morning/afternoon. And plan snacks and drinks all day. Bagels, meat and cheese tray, crackers, apples, grapes, sandwiches, coffee--Everyone will be happier with some food! And make sure to have lots of bottled water. Investing in a nice cooler bag was a huge lifesaver for us.
5. Don't feel rushed. I did and I totally didn't need to. The priest, DJ, toasts, photographer will all wait for you. Plan ahead as to make sure you have plenty of time, but don't feel like they won't wait one minute for you to bustle your dress before you're introduced.
6. Make sure you're tired the day before so you can sleep, but don't count on being able to sleep well. I was up at 9am the Friday before our wedding to make sure I was tired that night. I was in bed a little after midnight and fell right to sleep, but then I was awake at 5:30am! I didn't have to be at the salon for like 3 hours, but I was so excited all day that I didn't even notice being tired.
7. Honeymoon. Give yourself a day or two before you leave. Do whatever you can to avoid leaving on Sunday or Monday morning. Don't spend your entire first day in Mexico sleeping!
8. Take a minute alone with you new husband. H and I drove around the block after our "grand exit". Only took 5 minutes, but was great to talk and be alone for that moment.
9. Take a minute to yourself at the reception. Step away from the dance floor and just take a mental picture of the room. Take it all in.
10. Give someone else your phone too keep you on track. And hand off your camera to someone else to get some shots for you.
11. If someone is taking video besides a videographer, get them 2 memory cards (1 for ceremony, 1 for reception).
And like everyone says....enjoy every minute!!