If you could have done anything differently, what would it be? Our venue assigned a wedding planner, and she was great, but she was also pretty hands-off. If I were doing it over again, I might consider bringing on a dedicated planner to handle some of the smaller details. Right before the ceremony, there were suddenly a handful of details that needed to be dealt with right away, and my mom ended up being the one to deal with them. That meant she wasn't in the bridal suite for much of the time I was getting ready, which she and I both regret!
How did you stay sane during the planning process? We just kept reminding ourselves that it was ONE day. Of course we wanted it to be amazing and perfect, but ultimately, if something went off track or some piece of our plan didn't come together, that wouldn't be the end of the world. That helped us both keep some perspective. We also have incredibly supportive family and friends, which made things much easier!
What's your best advice for brides-to-be? Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want. Our family was very pressure-free, but everyone else, from vendors to co-workers to semistrangers, seems to have an idea about what you absolutely HAVE to do on your wedding day or a tradition that you can't go without. Stick to your guns and stay true to what you and your husband-to-be really want, and the day will be a success.
Photo by Kristyn Stroble
