Advice From Our Brides: Sarah, Stephanie, and Sophie

You are a planning bride.  You are buying all the books.  You are subscribing to the best magazines.  You are constantly on your computer looking at the top wedding blogs.  Pinning has become your second job.  Your wedding coordinator is on speed dial.  You are a planning bride!!  We wanted to give you something that we feel is so helpful:  advice from our fabulous featured couples.  They have walked down the aisle, they have said 'we do', and they have partied like crazy at their reception.  Then, when all the craziness calmed and they returned from their honeymoons, they whispered to us their 'best advice' ... and we're passing it on to you :)  Today we have chosen to share the advice from Sarah, Stephanie, and Sophie.  Tune in next week for the next 3 brides who will share their wedding day tips!

From Sarah and Kris:

As far as the planning goes, let your creativity flow. No one knows your vision better than yourself so trust your own style and taste. This is your special day with your husband so make sure to enjoy it and soak up every moment. This will be one of the BEST days of your life I promise.

Love and Lemonade PhotographyFrom Stephanie and Ben:

I would tell any bride and groom to always remember that your wedding day is only ONE day, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy every moment of that day and the planning leading up to it, and know that you get to enjoy the rest of your life with your best friend. Everyone asks me if I felt like my wedding day went too fast, but I really don’t. I sucked the life out of that day, enjoying it to the fullest. I woke up the next morning with the biggest smile on my face and no regrets, except for some very sore feet from dancing so much!

Two Birds PhotographyFrom Sophie and Bobby:

First KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! I thought I was planning a simple event, but in retrospect there is still a lot I could have done without. Despite all my preparations in advance, because I did so much myself, there was so much I had to think about and I didn't get to enjoy the time leading up to the wedding as much as I would have liked and probably would have traded a thing or two for some added peace of mind.

Second, if you delegate, be specific and do it beforehand. Among several things I forgot, I didn't delegate a clean up team for the next morning and so we and 4 other saintly guests ended up scrambling around cleaning up everything ourselves... it wasn't anyones fault but my own because everyone just thought I had a crew designated to do it because I hadn't communicated my need for help.

Finally,  and most importantly - there are no rules!!! Want to have a byom (bring your own meat) picnic on blankets in the park? Do it!  Don’t care for cake? Do without it!  As someone who has worked in the wedding industry, I’ve seen it all too often become just that, an industry! Don’t buy into it if you don’t want it. Pick what is most important to you and prioritize based on that, not on convention or expectations.   Don’t get so wrapped up by everything else that it takes away from being there in that moment. 

Jake and Necia of The Collective Photographers