Magazine Quotes (and I need lots of 'em)

eshee8198 · May 2010

Do a trial run dress shopping somewhere that has a large inventory and doesn't mind pictures - take a friend and a camera and try on a bit of everything. I was really surprised that some of the dresses I thought looked *great* in the mirror I *hated* when I saw the photos. And dresses that seemed too over the top when I tried them on looked super flattering in photos. After that trial run, I had a great idea of dress style and color, so that when I found a great dress at a sample sale that matched my criteria, I was able to snap it up with no hesitation.

Don't sweat the small stuff - but do pick a few details to splurge on. We had a small budget, but if we spread it out evenly, we wouldn't have *loved* anything. We decided to go without floral centerpieces and DIY our programs in order to have custom-designed, letterpressed invitations - and I absolutely loved them.

Think carefully about what you really need. Compromise with your vendors. When you're doing DIY, think simple and don't overestimate how much work you can do - wedding planning is stressful enough. Our vendors were willing to compromise with us so that we could get what we wanted without enlisting our wedding party in slave labor. Instead of traditional centerpieces, we got loose stems from our florist at a fraction of the price, and added glass vases and sea glass. Instead of expensive sugar details on our cake, we bought acrylic butterflies on etsy and had our baker attach them to a white cake. To allow us to afford the high end photographer we wanted, we worked with her to create a a la carte package of digital prints only, and we made our album on Shutterfly.

DON'T skimp on your guests to splurge on yourselves. They will notice that you're wearing a designer dress while they're eating sheet cake from the kitchen.

starrbuk13 · May 2010

Thoroughly research your vendors. Look them up with the Better Business Bureau, actually speak to their references, and see if they've been sued for backing out on contracts (look at your state court's website). If I'd done that, I would not have hired a caterer who canceled on me (and kept all my money) 3 weeks before my wedding!

polichik · May 2010

Once you've set a reasonable budget, don't feel guilty about purchasing things for the wedding. As long as you're not being unreasonable and are sticking to your budget, there's nothing wrong with doing some special things for the wedding. Just because I don't want monogrammed napkins doesn't mean you shouldn't!

acalloway75 · May 2010

Be brave and haggle! If you find a dress, veil, shoes, etc that you LOVE, but our out of your price range-fear not. Call around to different shops and find the one with the best price. Some boutiques are willing to give a discount, as well, in order to keep the business.

Mrs.Ladybug11 · May 2010

If a vendor is your dream vendor but they don't get back to you tomorrow, be patient, there are always extenuating circumstances. If it's been a week and they still haven't called or emailed you, call them. If it's been a week after that and you still haven't heard from them, then they probably aren't your dream vendor. Your dream vendor should want your business and make that apparent. The chances are that you'll find a vendor that's just as good as your "dream vendor" and that is willing to make you feel important.

AmoroAgain · May 2010

One thing we did to help guests who couldn't make it to the wedding- we hosted it online. We set up our laptop in the back of the room, in an unobtrusive, but unobstructed area, and let our friends and family who couldn't make it to the wedding watch the live feed. After the ceremony, we walked back to the camera and told everyone hello/goodbye. It was actually a really fun part of our ceremony as we had friends in Europe who couldn't attend the wedding.

barbbhoww · May 2010

Smile. This is the best time of your life.

Everybody told me the engagement period would go by so fast. I didn't believe them. It feels like just yesterday I was picking invitations buying centerpieces. Now, I'm married!

I didn't know the dress was the one until it was time to take it off.

Read EVERY review of your vendors. This makes for no surprises.

DON'T post status updates of your planning on Facebook..nobody cares that much!!

notquiteblushing · May 2010

Don't get married on a weekday or a holiday weekend. It's so inconvenient to your guests.

Also no one wants a favor with your name on it.

kaesha · May 2010

Think of a wedding like well choreographed dance or play. Make sure you know where you need to be and when, and make sure you're there. Don't forget to schedule in some down time with your new husband!

aneresRN · May 2010

If you want a head table, include enough chairs and space for the bridal party and their dates. Yes, they are in your bridal party, but they are still your guests. Please don't do this to your best friends.

Don't do A lists and B lists for guests. With facebook and other social networking sites, it's really easy for the B list to find out they are on the B list. If they aren't close enough to make the first cut, then they shouldn't be coming to the wedding.

Do not invite people to the shower who aren't invited to the wedding. If they are good enough to give you a gift at a party, then they are good enough to go to the wedding.

Kniblet · May 2010

When something goes wrong, and something will, YOUR reaction to it will determine the severity of the problem.

Breathe.

lct2008 · May 2010

If you receive a gift before your wedding, write the thank you note right away! Don't let them pile up till after, or you will get overwhelmed.

sarajenae13 · May 2010

The more people you bring with you dress shopping, the more opinions you are going to get.

mrose12 · May 2010

have fun! don't forget to just enjoy the day!

Muffin'sMom · May 2010

People with their own agenda will try to influence you. Remember this phrase: What a wonderful suggestion...we'll be sure to keep it in mind! Then smile and change the subject, leave the room, hang up the phone. It will get you out of a lot of uncomfortable conversations that you do not want to have. On The Knot, we call it the "bean dip"....as in, "what an interesting idea...have you tried the bean dip?"

kag0215 · May 2010

Before you start planning talk to your fiance and figure out a few must-haves and must-nots. If you have few broad "guidelines" that you both agree on it will be less overwhelming, and you'll feel more comfortable in knowing what your fiance finds most important about the big day.

phut_action · May 2010

If you have friends or family that are in wedding-related businesses, like photography, cake-making or DJ-ing, definitely take a look at their work, this can save you a lot of money. However, don't forget that this is a business transaction, and you do not owe them your business. If they don't suit your needs or wants, don't hire them.

phut_action · May 2010

Always be willing to compromise with your fianceé. No matter what people tell you, it's his day too.

jfgates05 · May 2010

Don't plan an insane amount of Do-It-Yourself projects. Pick one or two and make them great!

ajmarimba · May 2010

Once you start planning, try to get the big stuff out of the way first. If you can solidify the reception site and church (if it includes that) then everything else just kind of falls into place.

kristen8040 · May 2010

Pick music your grandparents would have fun boogying down to. Your drunk friends will dance to anything.

ks3pink · May 2010

Be organized! Find a checklist and follow it, it will keep some of the craziness out. Also becareful who you ask to be in your bridal party. An unreliable friend who you think is awesome may not the best choice.

mmdpm · May 2010

Remember in the end all you need to get married is a license, an officiant, witnesses, you and the groom!

Plan accordingly for the weather, if it going to be cold don't buy a chiffon strapless gown, if it is going to be hot a satin ballgown may overwhelm you.

At the end of the day you are married, that's the big picture.

bblouin · May 2010

Make sure you get all the little details you want on your day.

key721 · May 2010

Visit the reception and ceremony venue before you book. I almost booked a chapel for my destination wedding, and was shocked to see how awful the venue was in person.

lemken · May 2010

For those DIY brides - start your projects early - even earlier than you originally thought would be okay! You don't want to stay up the month before your wedding until 3 am everyday trying to finish this massive list of projects that you must have. Ask BMs to help, have some fun and plan ahead. All of those personal touches will make your wedding unforgettable!

Lyss5782 · May 2010

When you go to try on wedding dresses, wear regular underwear! Sometimes the sample-size dresses don't zip all the way up and seeing your backside in all those mirrors definitely takes away from the pristine bridal image you are trying to achieve.

jlmaloney · May 2010

Make sure you get your invitations out on time. We pushed it and were calling people to get the final count to the venue by the last possible date.

Also a wedding planner is well worth every penny you spend, I originally thought I only wanted day of coordination because I knew what I wanted and found most my vendors within weeks of getting engaged. But my dad ended up hiring one anyway and I don't know what I would have done without her. There are so many little details you don't realize since you don't plan a wedding everyday and they deal with all the vendors which are sometimes hard to get on the phone or deal with. I truly don't think I could have done it without my wedding planner, and I really thought I had everything figured out.

bexx246 · May 2010

Don't purchase your dress more than 6-8 months before your wedding. If you purchase it too far in advance, chances are you will find something you like better later on. I say this as a two dress bride.

stepner · May 2010

Don't think you have to follow anyone else's 'rules'. You are planning a party to celebrate yourmarriage. Do it the way you want to and don't worry about what you're 'supposed' to do. There are a lot of things that books and friends will tell you that you are supposed to do for a wedding but the only things you need to do are the things you want to do.

Magazine Quotes (and I need lots of 'em)

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