September 2012 Weddings

Final Stretch Advice for Oct 2012 Knotties!!!!!!!!!

Hey ladies, the August 2012 knotties did this for us, so I think its time we repay the favour! As your wedding day comes and goes, add advice here for the Oct 2012 Knotties that will follow us!
 
What did you wish someone had told you coming into this final stretch?
What was the best advice you received?

Lets pay it forward!!!!

Re: Final Stretch Advice for Oct 2012 Knotties!!!!!!!!!

  • edited September 2012
    Another sept knottie summed it up "remember what it's all about" Breathe, talk to him about stress, he will listen. Don't worry if all the visions you had aren't happening, there is a reason why! Make time outside your wedding to see friends and family. We are going out after the wedding with our friends and breakfast the next morning so we can see them. Lastly: if you want that darn piece of candy, eat it! Don't deprive yourself for a dress.
  • Definitely remember what it's about. In the end, it really is just one day (as MANY times as people tell you that). 

    PRIORITIZE. For real. Those super cute OOT bags you were going to make? No time? Still haven't even written your vows and are freaking out? Forget the OOT bags. Make a list in order of what's most important and do that. If you get to it, cool. If not, then its whatever.

    People are going to act like a-holes til the end. And they suck. But try and let it roll off your back. I haven't had my actual wedding yet (2 weeks!) but I'm sure the only thing I'll see if my brand new hubby.

    Try and do something to make yourself chill out. A bubble bath, a massage, even just reading a book that doesn't have anything to do with weddings.

    Take care of your body, too. Eat! Drink water! Don't exercise for 12 hours straight so you can fit into your dress (exaggeration, but still...) You want to look like YOU on your big day. Not some imposter "perfect" bride. =)

    Kiss your FI. Or at least spend some non WR time with him. It'll be hard as hell. Trust me! But he needs to know you still love him and he hasn't been downgraded to a pretty Groom Prop for the wedding day. haha!

    That's all I can think of now. Good luck on all of your wedding days!!!! =)
  • I second everything Morena and future said. The only thing I can really add is to just relax. I said this on the other thread, but this has been the best advice I've been given during the entire wedding planning. Don't get worked up over stuff you can't control, and don't drive yourself crazy trying to make everything "perfect." Congratulations to all you October brides! Smile
    Photobucket
  • I definitely agree about prioritizing. You're getting to the point now where instead of monthly or weekly checks, you'll be making daily checklists. I too had to give up the idea of things like OOT bags and making my own card box because I just don't have the time or money now for them.

    I know this is way easier said than done, but try not to stress yourself out. If you're working on something that is getting you worked up and frustrated, put it away and do something NWR for a little bit. Clear your head and then go back to it in a few hours or even the next day. I know it's gotta get done soon, but it doesn't have to be done right this second, you know?
    Anniversary
  • I agree wholeheartedly with the ladies who stressed prioritizing, ESPECIALLY if you are a DIY bride!!!! There are details and projects that right now are the be all and end all in your eyes, they will make or break your wedding. But seriously sit down and look at them, what is ACTUALLY that important, and put them in order of the things you certainly CAN'T do without, the things you'd like to have, the things it would be nice to have and the things that aren't all that important.

    In the last month we decided to scrap escort and place cards for assigned tables and a seating chart to cut back on time. Another thing I had planned on was making a lot of the gifts for people, however we've been buying lately! Why? Because its keeping my sanity, and that's more important right now!!!!

    Also, I want you to follow these instructions immediately, block any and all weather sites off your computer... this includes personal, work, anywhere you might check it. No I'm not necessarily 100% serious (but if you feel you can't control yourself then go for it) but DON'T get caught up on checking the weather religiously! I fell into this trap for awhile! Your day is going to be perfect REGARDLESS of the weather!
  • OH! Learn the sock trick for breaking in shoes!!!!
    1 pair of damp/slightly wet socks on your feet, put on those pretty new wedding shoes you're worried about breaking in and wear them around the house.... works like a charm ;)
  • Our wedding was on 9/2/12.  A friend told me to take in everything on our day and not to stress out.  My doctor also told me to take mental pictures of the day.  Before walking down the aisle, I looked around at everyone in the audience and felt their love.  I then turned my eyes to my husband and walked to him and said our vows.  We had a wonderful wedding and the days since have been great too.  We've received several calls and emails about how beautiful our wedding was, because it was unique to us.  

    Just remember that the most important thing about your wedding day is that you're married to your love at the end of that day.  Nothing else matters.
  • Definitely agree about prioritizing. I am a definite DIY bride and I have said if my projects I am doing are not done by next weekend (about 2 weeks before the wedding) then I can forget about them. Make sure you are not stressing about finishing things that aren't as important, and focus on the fact that you and FI will be MARRIED!

    The best piece of advice I have received was actually from our officiant. She has told us to not forget about 'us' time the week of the wedding.. go on a walk together, get a couples massage- do something that is not wedding related.

    I am not stressed out like I thought I would be at this point.. it's all about what NEEDS to be done vs. what you WANT to be done.

    Lastly, congratulations!! Soak it all in. :)
    Planning/Project Fit

    Photobucket
    "Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing through my open ears inciting and inviting me"
  • My wedding was on 9.2.12.  The biggest stress was trying to figure out how and if the decorations were all getting put out.  I forgot to write instructions for them and just had to let it go.  In the end, everything magically got where it needed to be!  I think I am a little too independent, and wanted to believe that I could do it all myself.  But on the wedding day, I had NO time to put out decorations or anything like that.  I thought I could put my mom in charge of it, but she didn't have any time either.  At some point you just have to let go! 
    I was so calm on my wedding day.  I thought I'd be a bawling mess, but I managed to keep it together for the most part!  I had read other people say to take time to really soak it all up, and I tried to do that.  It went by so fast, but I truly enjoyed every moment of the day. 

    So my advice..hm...
    Look at your husband as you say your vows.  I thought I'd cry, but I held it together and it was very meaningful to look at each other as we said our vows. 
    Take time to really enjoy yourself.  I danced like a little kid at the reception because the relief of everything going well and the happiness of the day was so overwhelming!
    Thank everyone. Look them in the eyes and hear them and say thank you.  And really mean it.
    Be flexible.  Things will work out one way or another.  And either way, your attitude makes all the difference! 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker White Knot
  • Wedding is the most beautiful day for every bride It is like a new born for a girl. An every girl want to have it perfect. I am giving the beautiful girls going to be beautiful brides this september and october. So girls dont take stress because it will affect your beauty also. Just be happy and imagine about the beutiful life ahead.
  • Best advice is to relax and take it all in.  The best thing I did was take a mental picture of my husbands face when I first stood in front of him.  It was a look I have never seen, and will never forget. 
    Things went wrong, a couple didn't have a seating card, my  throw bouquet got left in the limo, my bustle on my dress broke... and the day was still the most AMAZING day ever!!!!
    Take the time to enjoy it with all of your guests.  Smile... and breathe!!! 
    Definately eat... not just the day of but all the days before.  Your dress will stretch as you wear it.  So it is a good thing for it to be a tad snug when you first put it on!!!
    Most importantly... take a minute in the middle to be alone with your new husband.  with photographer of course!!!!
    Congrats Brides!!!
  • Definitely keep things in perspective.  And budget!  If it's coming down to the wire, you don't have time and you don't have money, chances are people won't notice or care.  I stressed seriously about renting nicer chairs for the ceremony, and these lovely Sept 12 knotties talked me off the ledge.  I can honestly say I didn't see a single chair during the ceremony - I just saw my husband standing at the end of the aisle!  I'm so glad we didn't pay for those chairs.

    Similarly, we didn't put custom labels on the water bottles for the welcome baskets.  I really think it was worth an extra date night the week before the wedding, rather than spending that time wrapping labels on bottles.

    The day of the wedding, focus on what is important.  We had quite a few things go wrong, but I assure you none of it mattered.  It didn't matter in the moment, it certainly doesn't matter now.  Just roll with the punches and enjoy the day  Rather than stressing over trying to fix the issues that morning, I just let them go and relaxed.  I got ready with my Mom & my brother's girlfriend (no bridesmaids), and had an absolute blast.  Make your motto "I don't care" and mean it.  When something goes wrong, it just doesn't matter. 

    With photos, have a list of "MUST TAKE" photos - bring a copy!  My photographers were great and did this, but I think it's good to have a back up in case yours don't.   We got all the family shots we needed - we also asked one family member on each side (my brother's girlfriend and my husband's sister-in-law) to corral people for us for the photos.  The photographer will be focused on taking pictures, and doesn't know who Aunt Sally is to go find her anyway.  It's helpful to have a person who wil help find those people so photo-taking goes smoothly and quickly.

    Also, know the difference between "MUST TAKE" and "I really liked this pose in another photo, and it might be a nice shot to have".  I showed my photographers some photos I liked from other people's weddings, but I didn't have a strict list - and I'm SO GLAD!  We got some amazing photos, rather than trying to copy someone else's pose, they went with what looked great at our location and the lighting and how we are together.  Sure, I had pictured a photo of us by the lighthouse, but when it came down to it, I'm glad I chose to go dance than take 10-15 minutes to go take those photos.  I'll cherish the photos of me enjoying myself and dancing with my grandpa more than some posed photo.

    image

    Anniversary

  • Power through it.  Some of the wedding things can drive you batty- like when you realize that things you thought were set and ready to go suddenly aren't done.

    You may get last minute no-shows.  Don't bother to try and fill those seats with 2 days to go.  Make one half assed attempt and then just realize that if they were jerks enough to miss it (barring major family emergency/medical catastrophe get out of jail free cards), that $100 per plate you're paying for empty seats is probably one of the better investments you'll make for your sanity.

    Make sure you have your helper squadron ready to go.  For us, that meant I had a friend to corral us for pictures, a team of people who were bringing the gifts back to the IL's house, an aunt whose special job it was to get the top tier of the cake and get it in the freezer, and a friend who made sure everyone knew how to get from the church to the next spot (it was a 30 second walk-).

    Also, spend some time by yourself not doing wedding related stuff.  I went and got a manicure and it was some of the best quality me-time I spent.

    If you can- TAKE MORE TIME OFF BEFORE THE WEDDING.  I got married on a Friday and took off just the day before but ended up leaving early Tuesday and Wednesday to keep my sanity intact and see family friends who had come into town.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • Aww, I love this! Thank you, ladies!
    Wedding Countdown Ticker White Knot
  • I'm a Sept. 2013 bride and this is helping me too!  Thanks!
  • By total fluke something caused us to be delayed for our entrance into our reception. It rained for our whole wedding, so they couldn't leave us outside waiting, so my coordinator had us go sit down in the golf club house while we waited.... result?

    If there is ANY way for you to schedule in even just 10 min alone, just you and your groom, with no photographers, no wedding party, no coordinators or guests, it was the best thing that could have happened to us! We had a chance to just take a few moments and take in each other, talk about how we felt and enjoy some time together. I think every wedding should have this time!
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