Overall everything went on without a hitch! I was the maid of honor
Here are some tips and things I learned!
They didn't have a rehearsal dinner, and the bride didn't know what order anyone was walking out to for the processional. She was feeling anxious before the ceremony while all us girls were waiting in the bridal suite at the venue, and everyone was asking her what ordering things were going and she was getting annoyed! So apparently, it's very important to have every single little detailed mapped out beforehand! Walking out everyone was fine, but then once the recessional began, the bridesmaid and groomsman at the end of the line ended up walking out behind the bride and groom first, when it really should have been me and the best man. I doubt the guest really noticed or anything but I'm quite anal about things lol so this would mildly bother me if it were my wedding... haha
Also, after the bride's father gave her away, the officiant never told the guests to be seated. No one knew when to sit back down, so all the guests ended up standing for the entire ceremony.... thankfully it was a short one! Make sure to go over your ceremony w/ your officiant and make sure he/she has something noted about telling the guests to be seated! (if applicable!)
Those are the major things that I noted!
and here's my funny story/bridezilla moment of the day:
While we were all outside having the pictures done, one of our friends came outside and told me and the best man that the officiant was looking for us so we could sign as witnesses for the marriage license, so when we came in for pictures we should find him. Well pictures ended up running a little late and the last 15 mins or so was kind of rushed. Before we knew it, they were rushing us inside because they were getting ready to do introductions.
I had totally forgotten about the officiant looking for us. As we were lining up to be introduced into the reception someone grabbed us and were like, the officiant is waiting for you, go sign the license real quick! We went into the bridal suite and he was sitting in a chair at the table, and then starts talking and blabbing away and asking us what county and municipality we were in. Neither me or the best man knew, maybe he should have had this info ready beforehand? Then he's going on about where we need to print and sign our names on the paperwork taking his sweet old time. One of the workers at the venue (I think the owner's son) came into the suite and was explaining that they were getting ready to do intros and they needed us. The officiant was giving him a hard time saying the marriage isn't legal if we don't sign and he had another wedding to go to and blah blah blah--- things were getting a little heated!
Finally the bride comes in and says "We need them out here or your going to ruin my whole wedding!" We left the room w/ the papers half filled out and made it in time for our queue to be introduced. The first dance, father, & mother dance were all done immediately after the intros, so once the dances were done, we snuck out of the reception hall to sign the rest of the license.
We went back into the room and the officiant was still there. We signed the rest of the paperwork and everything was good. While we were in there the officiant was asking who the guy was that came into the room earlier, we didn't know. He then was going on and complaining about him and then dropped the F bomb! I was a little offended and couldn't believe that he said that! Then he admitted that maybe we should have signed the paperwork during or before we went outside for pictures.... duh!!!
Ok, that's all that I have, lol! Sorry so long!
Here's some wedding porn PIP