ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Have everything planned in advance- especially tips.

On your wedding day, you're going to be so overcome with emotion that everything will seem great.

However, once you come off that "high", you'll start to remember the things that went wrong and get upset that you either let them go, or tipped vendors a lot of money despite a mistake

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

if you can afford it, def. hire Day of Coordinator... hiring Michelle from Defining Moments was the best decision that I made... thanks to her our wedding day was stress free, organized, and we were able to enjoy every minute of it...

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Don't sweat the small stuff. Something is bound to go wrong on your wedding day.

Put your MOH in charge of things.

Most importantly just make sure you have a good time!!!!!

Message edited 9/14/2005 12:37:37 PM.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

I 2nd hiring a DOC- it definitely eases the stress!

Also if all your cards/gifts are in the limo, make sure you check the limo thoroughly!!! Our limo co. sent us a check that we had left in there. We are hoping there werent any others with cash in them!! (We are missing gifts from several guests)

DH and the driver checked when we got dropped off but since it was dark out, it was hard to see I guess.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

drink water and use blotting paper

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Don't forget to reapply lipstick....I wish I'd remembered but I was having too much fun!


Relax, breathe....take it all in. Step back at the party and watch your guests and family celebrating YOUR love and marriage. We did. It was amazing.

If you are getting married at church or wherever--LISTEN to the words, vows, and the priest. It's a moment to never forget. And make sure to get the look on your husband's face when he sees you. My DH said, "Oh My God!" so loud I could hear him from way back!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

reapply lipstick - check makeup occassionally

take some time for just the TWO OF YOU! It can be hard to get away and be alone, but I think it's so important and to do on YOUR WEDDING DAY!

don't stress the small stuff

try to relax and enjoy it all.

don't waste your time worrying about anyone else but you and your new husband and what makes you guys happy! Have Fun! Don't let anyone or anything ruin it, including mother-nature, or cranky bridesmaids

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

- RELAX- dont worry about the small stuff!!!!

-Always SMILE- your picture is going to be taken ALL DAY LONG

-Try not to spend so much time taking pictures so you can see your cocktail hour

-Try not to spend too much time thanking guests so you can enjoy your party more

- If having the polaroid guest book try to have an attendant there to take the photos for the guest, my DOC was doing that but she couldnt spend all of the time doing that, you need someone else to make that really go over perfect

- Have someone or your DOC collect the table cameras as soon as possible instead of end of night!- DOC or whoever can check if they are empty start collecting the m early and then ask too does anyone know who has the camera- so you get them ALL

- If you do an end of night favor like we did the personalized water bottles, have the hall put them on the tables instead of placing on table right outside room, many guest missed them b/c they left earlier than the hall put them out

-Remember to always blot your face and put LIPSTICK on

- Make sure you eat you will need your energy

- Def do your vendor tips BEFORE the wedding and SEAL them- if you want to tip more due to their great service give your dad extra cash to carry for that and have your dad give out accordingly

-Make sure you give yourself enough time between makeup and hair and if you are traveling to do them enough time for that- I had to travel and almost missed florist delivery and deli delivery had to call DH to go and open door for his sister b/c there was an ACCIDENT on sunrise hwy that made me 45 min late and got home the same time video and photo showed up!!!
hmm I will add as I think. GL ladies !!!!!!!!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Thanks so much ladies! I got chills just reading them!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

- get a DOC. that said, make sure you, FH and all important wedding party members trust this person and feel the DOCs presence is a welcome addition to your day and an appropriate reflection on you and FH
- during the CH, take five minutes with DH, DOC, and maitre d to check out the reception room. Is EVERYTHING as you want it? If not, speak up!
- think about how much time you'll need to get ready and add an hour

ETA: If you reapply lipstick, ask DH if there's any on your teeth!

Message edited 9/14/2005 1:35:35 PM.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Try to keep your cool and not be a bridezilla.

Eat something every few hrs.
Take some time in the morning to sit by yourself and meditate a little ( I did and it was great)

Laugh at the small stuff.

Cry because you are happy.

Don't freak out when people put their fingers all over your ring, dress, veil..

Dance as much as you can..don't spend all the time going from table to table.. you will miss your fun. Also, everyone will dance if you and your FH are on the dance floor.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Wow, these girls have given great advice! I especially agree with having your tips ready and sealed prior to the wedding. Hand them to your BM and label the envelopes.

*Make a list of all your vendors names and emergency contact numbers (cell phones, etc.) for the Day Of and carry one copy, give one to your FH and one to your BM. You never know if you need to get in touch with them.

*I agree about listening to your vows. Best part of our day!

*Get a DOC if you can...otherwise, be as organized as possible. Make lists in advance and write everything down and hand it to your BM at the hall once you drop stuff off. The Day Of you won't remember anything because like suven said, you'll be on a high.

*Smile, eat and don't drink too much. Nobody wants to see a grouchy, cranky and loud drunken bride. Not cute.

*Don't get separated from DH or let anyone separate you two. Experience everything together...people will pull you in a million directions, but stay together - you'll enjoy the day much more(this was LIW advice and I'm glad we followed it).

*Relax and enjoy your hard work. At this point nothing can be done to "fix" anyhing, so if something goes wrong ignore it. You'll probably be hte only to notice anyway. Don't sweat the details.

*Don't stress. Yes, I covered it above but it can't be said enough. No day is perfect...something is bound to go "wrong" or "unplanned"...go with the flow and don't stress. You don't want to dwell on anything negative that day. Concentrate on the positive. You married your best friend! You have your partner...forever!

*Go to your cocktail hour if you can. This is a great opportunity to greet a lot of guests.

*Try and visit every table...thank your guests in person for making it to your wedding. And do this with your new husband.

*Party! Enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you're having fun and are dancing your guests will feel a lot more comfortable doing the same.

Message edited 9/14/2005 1:47:22 PM.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Have fun before and spend time with your family and friends. Try to take it all in because it goes by so quickly. Try to stay with DH as much a possible. Must importantly ENJOY it. You spend so much time and money that you deserve to have a wonderful time.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Ohyea another thing reading all of this good advice- when reapplying the lipstick and asking DH if its on your teeth ask if its on your chin too!!!! I dont know how I did that and you see it in church , and YES pull you and DH on the sides of the dance floor or in a corner somewhere just the 2 of you and ABSORB the party , DH and I did this 4 times and it was great! We werent together the whole time either- that joined on the hip thing we didnt want- to thank guest YES def but DH had fun with his friends at the bar for awhile , while I danced up a storm and its true if you are on the dance floor your guest will surround you!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Listen to your vows. Feel them as you say them.

Eat and enjoy the food at your wedding. Don't let the guests be the only ones to know how good it was.

Don't let ANYONE other than DH, pull you or push you and make you do things.

Make sure you take small breaks for yourself and DH. You will have more energy than plowing through everything.

Let your relatives hug and kiss you and don't be a b*tch and worry about them ruining your makeup or tugging at your hair. They love you, let them show it.

Don't cry. Just keep thinking of how swollen your eyes will look if you do

Don't drink too much alcohol.

Most important thing to do at the reception:
THANK EVERYONE for coming and sharing the day. No matter who they, whether they are nasty and rude or not, be so much in love with your DH that you both come across as the most gracious couple!!

Oh yeah, one last thing: Make sure you have a change of clothes for the day after, so you don't have to leave the hotel in your gown

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

LIPSTICK - reapply, reapply, reapply. I know the other ladies said it, but it can never be reinforced enough, IMO. You can definitely tell in the photos what time of night it was by my lipstick.

Don't get seperated from DH for too long. Although we had a careful plan for greeting everyone at the CH, he left my side and I didn't see him again until we were ready to enter the reception.

At some point (for me it was after my hair was finished...) let all the small stuff go and enjoy the day. Live in the moment as much as you can.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Smile as much as you can, your beautiful pictures will thank you and the guests will all notice how happy you are and it will make them happy too.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

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Posted by xjulietx

Listen to your vows. Feel them as you say them.

Eat and enjoy the food at your wedding. Don't let the guests be the only ones to know how good it was.

Don't let ANYONE other than DH, pull you or push you and make you do things.

Make sure you take small breaks for yourself and DH. You will have more energy than plowing through everything.

Let your relatives hug and kiss you and don't be a b*tch and worry about them ruining your makeup or tugging at your hair. They love you, let them show it.

Don't cry. Just keep thinking of how swollen your eyes will look if you do

Don't drink too much alcohol.

Most important thing to do at the reception:
THANK EVERYONE for coming and sharing the day. No matter who they, whether they are nasty and rude or not, be so much in love with your DH that you both come across as the most gracious couple!!

Oh yeah, one last thing: Make sure you have a change of clothes for the day after, so you don't have to leave the hotel in your gown

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Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Put a family member or long time friend in charge of the 'must take' picture list. Give a copy to the photographer or assistant, DOC and to your friend/family in charge. The family member or friend will hopefully be someone that knows who all the grandparents/aunts/cousins/parents are on the list and can fetch them all and double check the list as the pics are taken.

Limit your drinking, you're going to have a great day!(That's not to say DON'T just watch how much!) And make sure to eat something!

Stick by your husband. Its easy to get split up at the reception between families and friends and dancing, but I wanted to remember the day with him, so we really tried to stick together. We also made sure to sit and enjoy dinner with just us and kinda soaked in the room full of everyone we love. At least, I did, Frank ate both our dinners.

Don't worry about people getting there, getting home, having a good time, whatever...they are all adults and they'll figure out where they need to be and all the rest.

Tell your vendors thank you, unless they screw up, then tell them politely what you expected and what the discrepancy is. Don't be afraid to speak up or send someone else to deal with it (or your DOC can do this.)

Feel beautiful!

Relax and laugh at the stuff that goes wrong! Do not let anything ruin YOUR day, and it is YOUR day.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

Before hand:

Pay as much as you feel comfortable paying to vendors in advance. You do not want to have to carry or have someone else carry thousands of dollars in cash with you the day of.
Count out tips in advance and put them in envelopes.
Tell everyone in the bridal party to be there a little earlier then you want them. This way you will not freak if they are a minute late.


Day of:

Make sure to eat something for breakfast or lunch. You will be running around the entire day and will need some food to keep you going. A hungry bride is a cranky bride.
I had a 3pm wedding. My sister and I ordered in finger sandwiches for everyone to nosh on while they were getting ready. We had a bottle of wine for all the girls to have a glass and relax a bit. It worked really well for us.

Relax and have fun. You have done all the planning to get to this point and there is nothing you can do about it the day of. No matter what silly things go wrong just go with it no one will know except for you and FH.

Hug and kiss everyone, taste a little of the food at your cocktail hour (even if it's off your sister, your mom's or someone else's place)
Have a few drinks but not too much and dance with your guests.

Don't be afraid to tell your vendors what to do they work for you today.

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

* Reapply Lipstick often (have a BM in charge of your powder & lipstick applications)

* Bring Tums, you never know how your stomach is going to react to nerves

* Whatever happens, and I mean whatever happens, continue smiling and reminding yourself that you planned this a long time, you deserve to enjoy it fully. Let other people do the worrying for you. Right as the doors opened for me to walk down the aisle I watched the EMT carry DH's grandmother out on a stretcher. Half way through my reception I found out my grandfather was missing and they had the police & hospitals in 2 states looking for him. My brother in law passed out and then threw up in the lobby of my reception hall and was asked to be removed from the premises. Believe me, keep smiling and dancing - there are other people there to take care of things, there is nothing you can do in your big poofy dress and no one wants to see a sad bride.

* Have tip envelopes ready and marked accordingly. Have someone handle giving them out (best man?).

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

EAT AND DRINK WATER! Just make sure you have food in your system because it will be hours before you actually get to your reception and get dinner! Also, RELAX! I was really nervous the day off...not to marry DH, but I just felt overwhelmed and was trying to picture everything falling into place. ENJOY EVERY SECOND! Don't sweat the small stuff!

Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

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Posted by Jan05Bride

* Reapply Lipstick often (have a BM in charge of your powder & lipstick applications)

* Bring Tums, you never know how your stomach is going to react to nerves

* Whatever happens, and I mean whatever happens, continue smiling and reminding yourself that you planned this a long time, you deserve to enjoy it fully. Let other people do the worrying for you. Right as the doors opened for me to walk down the aisle I watched the EMT carry DH's grandmother out on a stretcher. Half way through my reception I found out my grandfather was missing and they had the police & hospitals in 2 states looking for him. My brother in law passed out and then threw up in the lobby of my reception hall and was asked to be removed from the premises. Believe me, keep smiling and dancing - there are other people there to take care of things, there is nothing you can do in your big poofy dress and no one wants to see a sad bride.

* Have tip envelopes ready and marked accordingly. Have someone handle giving them out (best man?).


I second, the pre-labeling tip envelopes...I did that and then we gave them to the best man the night of the rehearsal dinner along with the rings and he handed them out to the right people the day off.

I also agree with the smiling often rule...SMILE YOUR *** OFF! hehe you want great pictures!

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Re: ALREADY MARRIED BRIDES - Post day of advice, Please!!!!

I have alot of advice in my review on he brides review board if your interested!