ADVICE FROM REAL BRIDES

Jen

DO:

Having a personal attendant was the best decision I made!! She took care of all of the last minute details so I wasn't bothered on my wedding day with small things like who was bringing the wedding candle to the reception, who was taking down the pew bows or taking the gifts from the reception, etc. I picked a friend who was VERY organized, and she really helped to me our day a success.

DON'T:

I would have insisted that my fiance had used both of his nephews in the wedding. He only planned to use one, and on the night of our rehearsal, it became apparent that the other one felt excluded. We ended up using him in a limited role, however, since we had not planned to use him, he did not have on the proper (formal) attire.

Tina

DO:

Keep a wedding intimate! We had 125 of our closest friends and family. They all saw the love we felt for each other. There was not a dry eye in the church as I walked down the aisle. Even when my dad toasted us, everyone was emotional. It was such a beautiful and intimate wedding. I definitely would recommend having a small intimate wedding rather than a huge one where you won't get a chance to greet everyone.

DON'T:

Don't forget to use place-cards at the RESERVED tables at the reception. Some not-so-considerate invitees overtook one of the RESERVED tables! (Perhaps I'm wrong...but I was always taught that RESERVED tables at a reception are for FAMILY MEMBERS).

 

Lora Lee

DO:

The best thing about our wedding is the ceremony. My husband and I found a minister who provided us a few sample wedding programs. We customized our ceremony program based on our needs and taste. We have our own vows. I wrote, designed and printed out the whole program using Microsoft Word and some clip arts. Our guests love the program and asked for extra copies. One guest told me that the ceremony was very refreshing.

DON'T:

Don't forget to ask the groomsman about decorating the car. I assumed it would be handled by the best man - but it did not get done! Also, I would have followed my photographer's suggestion and asked a family friend to help her round up all the people for all the shots.

Mary Ann

DO:

Rather than doing a traditional guest book, we made a photo album of all pictures of myself and my fiance through our dating years. The album was the kind where you paste the pictures to the page so we were able to add some sayings about love, life, friendship, or just silly notes about a picture.

Our guest book attendant passed the book around and our guests signed it like a yearbook. It was great for us to see what people wrote and the advice they had. It was also great for the guests to see us over the years. This way it is a book we will always have and will actually look at rather than hide away in our attic.

DON'T:

I wish I had thought to ask if the background would come out in the pictures. It was a overcast day and our reception was outside at my brother's house. My brother has a beautiful backyard, but it did not show up in our formals; they look as though they were taken at 12midnight. I was told later that it was just the way the film works etc. I wish I would have had other options available to me "just in case."

So you may want to make sure the background is what you want in your pictures. A friend had hers taken in front of a huge curtain with greens and pinks and her bridesmaids dresses were navy blue. The background was too busy and distracted from the people.

 

Melissa

DO:

Always cherish your family--The best thing about it was my Father's support, right before the ceremony I started crying and could not stop, my father stayed right there with me and never left my side. He comforted me and told me to relax and that everything was going to be fine, he was right, as soon as I saw my husband- to- be at the end of the aisle I knew in my heart it was all right.

DON'T:

We had a huge bridal party (17 total) and only one was from our area. Although we didn't want to exclude anyone of them, it got to be really tough to deal with everyone's questions and problems. I also wouldn't recommend staying the night before with all your family. Get away from the wedding plans so you can enjoy your wedding.