ADVICE FROM REAL BRIDES

Susan

DO:

Hire all professionals (photos, video, etc.) and be very specific in what you demanded of them. I put everything in a detailed list for every vendor so they would have no question about what I wanted.

DON'T:

I would have had the hairdresser do my pre-hairdo completely instead of just half-way. The day of the wedding she couldn't get the whole thing done right. I've spent many nights blaming myself out about that.

 

Allyson

DO:

The best thing about my wedding was that we decided to do away with tradition and spent the whole morning of our wedding day together. That time together kept us both calm and there wasn't one hiccup during the ceremony or the reception. It was all just beautiful.

DON'T:

I would have had a receiving line so that I would have had a chance to say hi to everyone, all at once. We spent the whole rest of the night, after dinner, going around and making sure we talked to everyone. We ended up missing a table with my relatives and we never got a chance to dance.

 

Julie

DO:

The First Dance .... a five minute Tango! (Practiced 2 weeks) Everyone oooh'd and ahhh'd, and we were told it was the highlight of the wedding. Participation of the guests was also complimented highly: the groomsmen announced before the ceremony when to throw the bio-rice; during the reception, when the glasses were tinkled, we pulled a married couple's name from a hat and told them they had to teach the newlyweds how to kiss; we passed out lyrics and had a sing a-long to "That's Amore" after dinner and we went to each table toasting the guests. Everyone loved having been included in the events, as opposed to just watching the bridal couple "do their thing."

Kelley

DO:

My husband John has a six-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. I really wanted to include her on our special day, so I gave our Pastor special vows for she and I to exchange. John then placed a gold heart pendant around her neck, and I said "With this heart, I promise to be a loving and caring step-mommy to you. I promise to always be there for you in times of need and I will love you with all my heart for all the days of my life". There wasn't a dry eye in the house, including mine and hers. Arianna is a wonderful addition to my life and I was glad I could show her how much she means to me.

 

DON'T:

I would not have done the Money Dance. I can't believe how awkward I felt. Originally, I said that I didn't want to do it, but all my friends kept telling me how great the extra money was on their Honeymoons. I could have done without the extra money and the embarrassment of the DJ asking people to come and dance with you. Oh yeah, and bring a $20 would ya? Yikes!!!