Let’s talk about your wedding day, whether you are a ‘Cupcake Bride’ or you’re not, I think you will find this post beneficial.
When I started writing this list, I was totally thinking of my own wedding day & what I would have changed differently. Then I realized, would I have changed anything differently or would I have changed my attitude? So, I’m going to have to say, while I would have changed certain things, what I really wish I could have changed was my attitude. There were certain things that took place that I, we (Ivan & I) personally could not change & that’s the truth.
Thinking of my Cupcake brides, I want them to be prepared that sometimes weddings do not go exactly as planned. I know. We hate to even think that way. Believe me, I want your day to go perfectly too! This is the truth, your day may go little off track here & there, but the goal is to get back on track (with an AWESOME timeline, this is possible) & most importantly with a positive attitude, you can & you WILL have a beautiful wedding. So let’s talk about 10 ways that YOU can truly enjoy your wedding day.
1. Meet with your makeup artist & hairstylist for a consult.
Please, please meet with your hair & makeup artist beforehand. If you meet with them for a trial, months before the wedding & you just aren’t a good fit, guess what? You have time to find someone new. Communication is key. Also, let’s say you meet with a hair & makeup artist for your bridal portraits & it’s just not what you had in mind. Believe me, you will save yourself & your makeup artist/hairstylist so much stress, if you meet beforehand.
2. Think of your wedding photography before ordering your invitations.
You may have read that & thought, um…I didn’t even have a wedding photographer picked out when I ordered my invitations. While some brides hire their wedding photographers months (a year) in advance, many brides do not. Many brides have their ceremony time picked out before choosing a photographer.
So why is it important to think about your wedding photography before you order your invitations?
Let’s talk about time change. During the Summer months, it feels like we have all the time in the world, doesn’t it? Ceremony begins at 6 pm ( 4, 5, 6, even 7 pm seems to be the norm for Summer weddings), finishes at 6:30 pm, family formals are immediately after, bridal party, bride & groom. We are able to finish all of our portraits by 7:30/7:45 pm. Now as soon as Fall kicks in the sun begins to go down waaaay sooner than 8pm/8:15ish. I have had Fall brides in the past completely forget about the time change. So if you are having a Fall wedding, keep that in mind! Also, if you are a Winter bride, definitely consider moving your ceremony up to 2, 3, 4. Sun goes down at 5:30 pm. The last thing you want is to feel stressed out about photos & if you really want those natural light photographs + sunset photographs, remember, sun goes down (as in, it’s basically, NIGHT TIME) at 5:30 pm during the Winter & 8:15/8:30 pm during the Summer. Again, this advice is just my 2 cents. If you plan to have a sunset wedding at 7:30 pm in July. Hey, let’s do it! There is always a first look for those natural light photos or let’s change it up & use flash for all of your portraits. The decision is really up to you.
Just keep in mind, the time change typically takes place in the beginning of November & changes again in March.
3. Connect with your vendors.
You don’t know how many times I think about this one. It is so important for you to connect with your vendors. Does this person make you feel comfortable? Do they listen to you? Do they ask what you want & what you are envisioning? A vendor includes anyone from your caterer, florist, coordinator, wedding planner, photographer, videographer, baker, hair stylist, makeup artist, DJ, Venue coordinator. If you head in for a consult & you just aren’t feeling it. Well, let’s think about that… how will you feel the day of? There were a few vendors that I personally didn’t connect with at all, but I never said anything. Sometimes this can cause, miscommunication, hurt feelings & misunderstandings.
4. Choose your wedding party wisely.
Keep your wedding party as close knit as possible. Pick the friends/family that you know will be by your side before/during the wedding & after the wedding. And if you are a bridesmaid reading this thinking, well, what am I supposed to do on the day of anyway?? Read this post.
5. Wear a dress that makes you feel beautiful!
Brides, picking your wedding dress is a HUGE deal. You need to feel absolutely gorgeous in your wedding dress. You will get that feeling, that “okay, this is the one” feeling. You may even tear up!! Almost like when you see your man coming your way or better yet, when you’re starving & the food you ordered is finally on the way. Yes, that feeling!
Be open minded to trying on new styles. You may be totally against wearing a strapless gown & then you try it on, and you think… ‘hmm…I kinda love this style!’ Or maybe, you have your mind completely set on a mermaid style & you don’t want to try anything on but that. After a couple of dresses or so (like 10), ‘hmm…not feeling this look like at all.’ Try on all the options. Sit in it. Dance in it. You know girl, drop it low & see how you feel in it! Lol!
If you can hardly move in it, well, how in the world are you going to move on your wedding day?
Also, if you aren’t the type of bride who is used to wear low cut tops/strapless – don’t. Even if everyone around you is saying, ‘Yes!! That’s the one!’ Girl, I promise you, you will be looking down at your own cleavage/pulling up your dress, all day/evening long, because you will be thinking, ‘Am I showing too much?’ Even though, most likely you aren’t, at all! Don’t do that to yourself.
Now, if you are a bride who IS used to it, do your thing girl!
