This week's most popular article was one that we published a long time ago. And it has stayed a favorite for a very long time now! Your guest list is not easy to narrow down but for any bride who has any budget, it is 100% a necessity.
So click below to see our best tips on getting that get listed narrowed and finalized!
Written with love, by Felicia Zammit-McMann
No matter how many lists you make, magazines you read, or conversations you have, some things are going to happen on your wedding day that you may never see coming. So, from one recent bride to the next, here are my top five tips that no one tells you, but will hopefully make you a little more relaxed and make your day go as smoothly as possible:
Beludog Fotography
When was the last time you attended a wedding that actually started on time? It’s no one’s fault; it’s just the nature of the beast, especially if you are getting ready at a different location than your wedding venue. You have your day-of timeline, and follow it to the “T,” but by the time everyone piles in the limo, by the time you deal with traffic and traffic lights, by the time everyone gets out of the limo, you get some photos and then get situated at your venue before walking down the aisle, you will be late. This doesn’t mean you can show up 20 minutes late. Five, 10 minutes tops is what I will say is “fashionably late” and respectable. If, in the rare occasion there are extraneous circumstances that will make you really late, do one of two things: Try to leave earlier or call your groom, the priest, best man – anyone! – and let them know what is going on (the limo got a flat, or there was a major accident and the road to your venue is closed, etc.). Don’t keep people hanging without a reason.
Well, of course you’re going to look hot in your dress, but I mean temperature hot. Between all the prep, running around, photo-taking, the weight and fabric of your dress, the temperature outside, the hugging, kissing, dancing, nerves, your body temperature is going to run hot that day. That’s perfectly normal and to be expected, even if you are the calmest of brides. Knowing that, prepare yourself with things that keep you cool. Drink plenty of water in between alcoholic drinks, stay in front of fans or as near to AC vents as possible, and, if all else fails, my last resort is to gently dab water on your arms and let the air dry you off.
In New York, where I am from, almost every venue requires a guest minimum in order to book your wedding. Our guest minimum was 100. We invited 120 and ended up with 92 people. That means we had to pay for eight people who couldn’t come. Don’t let this worry you. Yes, that can add up pretty quickly, but ask the coordinator at your venue if they can make up the difference with perks. Perhaps they can throw in extra rooms (if you are having your wedding at a hotel and they offer room blocks), extend your wedding an extra hour, or give you extra courses or extra appetizers. Maybe they can even give you food to take home. Our venue gave us eight containers of food from our wedding to take home with us. That was great! We kept some in our freezer, so we had food waiting for us when we came back from our honeymoon, and we gave some to our family who had guests staying with them. It was fantastic and appreciated by everyone.
I know a major concern for many brides and grooms is whether or not they’ll be able to eat at their own wedding. I say, “Yes, you can!” if you plan strategically. Typically, a wedding meal will consist of a salad and/or maybe a soup or pasta dish before the main course arrives. Use that time to greet your guests at each table. Yes, a salad is healthy and good for you, but is it really what you are looking forward to eating? Not me. Our dinner was a buffet, but we still had those courses served before the buffet opened. While everyone was munching on salad and eating their soup, we went to each table to greet guests. Our server saved our soup and put it in the fridge in our bridal suite so we could eat it later. We were back at our sweetheart table in plenty of time to eat.
This seems a little ironic that your ring bearer shouldn’t be holding your rings, but think about it: Most likely, he’s going to be a very young, little boy who has a lot of energy and may be running all over the place – or he may not even make it down the aisle. Make sure the best man has the rings in his pocket. It’s the safest place for them. The one thing you don’t want anything to happen to on your wedding your day is your rings.
Did I miss anything? What tips do you have for brides-to-be?
Sponsored with love, by WedTexts
From the time you know what a "wedding" and a "bride" are, you are bombarded with idea of overwhelming stress. For some reason, we are always told that planning a wedding is stressful. But want to know a secret? Weddings are stressful because you are telling yourself they are stressful and so is everyone else around you! Of course they are a lot of work, but in reality, they don't have to be stressful at all! With the right tools and tips, you'll be well on your way to a stress-free wedding planning experience.
And so, here are 3 tips to reducing that wedding-planning stress!
If you’ve never heard of WedTexts, then believe me, you are lucky you hopped onto The Overwhelmed Bride today, because this is going to change your life! Since many of you have never been married before, I am going to tell you how it goes the weekend of the wedding (not to mention the weeks and months before):
Friday // The Rehearsal Dinner
You have to pick up a bridesmaid from the airport, pack for the honeymoon, get all of the “wedding stuff” in order and loaded into your car to drop off to your coordinator, and have to get yourself looking fabulous for the rehearsal dinner. And meanwhile, you’re getting bombarded with calls, texts, and emails, “Where is the rehearsal dinner again?” “What time to we have to be there?”
Really? I don’t have time for this!
Saturday // The Wedding Day:
You get 3 texts at 7am from bridesmaids, asking where and when they need to meet for hair and makeup. Then a text from his parents comes through and one from your parents, “What time do we meet for photos?” Then one comes in from your soon-to-be-hubby who has no clue what he’s supposed to be doing today, and finally the guest calls trickle in, “I forgot my invitation at home! Can you please send me the ceremony address.”
This is your wedding day…and all of this is STRESSFUL!
But guess what? I found the most amazing company who can solve all of these problems. Yes, all of them :)
This little video will explain it all:
There is nothing better to de-stress yourself, than pampering yourself the months and weeks leading up to the wedding day. Get a massage or a facial, get your hair and nails done, and of course, sip on a glass of wine and enjoy some relaxation!
What is the point of a wedding?
…to ensure all shades of blue in the bridesmaid dresses, flowers, and linens perfectly match up?
…to have a cake that is the perfect balance of moisture and spongey?
I could list thousands of others that most brides THINK is the point of a wedding but there is only one real answer:
If at the end of the day, your dress tears, your cake doesn’t show up, and your DJ plays the wrong first dance song but you are married to your (once) fiancé, then there is no need to stress. Your day was a success!
Plan ahead, stay organized, and make sure all of your guests stay off of your back…and you’re well on your way to a stress-free wedding day!
WedTexts is the only notification system for weddings that is effortless for guests and worry free for the bride and groom. We designed WedTexts to help reduce last minute stress and uncertainty for couples in the time leading up to their wedding.
Guests no longer have to worry about having the logistical information handy, because they receive messages right on their cell phone at pre-designated times. You no longer have to worry about people leaving the information at home, in their hotel room or not being able to find the wedding website online. This greatly reduces the logistical stress for all who are involved with the wedding and adds to the guests’ overall experience.
