100 Stress-Free Tips & 100 Vendors to Get You There (...continued)

86. Something Chic Floral - Iowa

Aaron Borchers Studio

Aaron Borchers Studio

"Watch a funny movie the night before your wedding - something that is not wedding-themed. It will help you relax and take your mind off of the busy day to come." - Danielle Tamasi, Owner

87. Roselle Photography - Kentucky

"ASK FOR HELP! Delegation is key. I know when I was planning, I was afraid of being needy, annoying, or "bridezilla"-esque if I asked for help. As a result, I heaped unneeded stress on myself. When I finally took a step back, I realized how excited I would be if a friend relied on me to organize something for her big day. I would be honored! With that in mind, I began asking for help, and my stress load decreased exponentially."
- Megan Rose, Owner/Photographer

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88. City View Loft - Illinois

Cage & Aquarium Photography

Cage & Aquarium Photography

"Once you figure out the details and hand your concerns over to your vendors, you can be free to enjoy what is truly one of the most spectacular days of your life." - Joshua Yates, Owner

89. DeepBlu Entertainment - Tennessee

"We always help our clients remain stress-free by donating as much time as it takes to help them find ALL of their vendors for their wedding day. By helping them build a strong team of vendors, the stress just melts away." - Jimmy Harris, Director

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90. Karen's Fireside - Nebraska

"Do your research and be realistic about what you can expect to spend BEFORE you start talking to vendors." - Denise Evans, Co-Owner/Manager

91. Flowers by Girlfriends - Kansas

"Make a decision and stick with it. I have a lot of brides who get on Pinterest and continue to find new ideas and change their minds. This is overwhelming for you and will make you more stressed!"
- Kenna McNeil, Floral Manager


Nicole McVey Photography

Nicole McVey Photography

92. Lifetime Media - Missouri

"Balance. Regardless of who's the best, what's the best, why you can't have aunt Jane sit with uncle Jimmy, or whether you have an open bar, ALWAYS remember to have balance. At the end of the day, your day will be YOUR day. Have what you want and how you want it. Breathe. Smile. And take it one day at a time. All great things come together with balance.....and mimosas"    - Kyra Hannah, Project Coordinator

93. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake - Montana

"Take advantage of the resources available to you. Websites like The Knot contain timelines, checklists, and budget templates. Use these resources to get yourself organized and plan out exactly what you have to do. If you're on top of it early when you have plenty of time, you'll be less stressed later when it's crunch time!" - Emmie Gallo, Catering Service Manager

Carrie Ann Photography

Carrie Ann Photography

94. BM hair & Makeup Design - Illinois

"Do not feel that every decision needs to me made that second. Always make the tough decisions over a glass of amazing wine!" - Brittany Mescolotto, Owner, Hair & Makeup Artist

95. Green Couch Photography - Ohio

"As much as we want to shoot your wedding, we want you to have the best wedding. Believe it or not that doesn't always mean to go with the 'Best Photographer.' That means go with the best photographer for you. I would encourage you to meet with more photographers and find the one that meshes best with YOU. That is what will result in the best photos; the person you trust and get along with. If that is us, then GREAT! Let's sign on the dotted line and get your planning started. If not, don't worry, we understand. We want your wedding to be perfect. We get tons of weddings, you only get one." - Zac Surant, Owner, Photographer

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96. Luma Bridal - Florida

"We always recommend turning your cell phone over to someone else on the day of the wedding, so you are not stressed while getting ready." - Marla Harmon, Manager

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97. The Allure - Indiana

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"Keep your rehearsal small. By that we mean ONLY bring the people who are participating in the ceremony and let everyone else meet you at dinner afterward. If you're stressed out trying to please everyone at the rehearsal, it ends up setting the tone for the whole weekend! A short, sweet, low-key rehearsal seriously leads into a low-key, calm wedding day. We promise!" - Jenny Wallace, Banquet Manager

98. MyStudio23 Photography - Ohio

"KISS your fiance. When the planning process gets scary, close your email, Pinterest and Facebook and kiss your fiance. After you have spent some time remembering why you are doing all of this, remembering what your fiance means to you, everything will come into perspective. JUST KISS!" - Jennifer Martini, Owner/Photographer

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99. The Patio At Archmere Academy - Delaware

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"At the end of the day, just remember how lucky you are to have found love and that you are marrying the man of your dreams. Your wedding day is just the beginning of a beautiful life together."
- Ally McCord, Events Coordinator

100. Pinnacle Productions - South Dakota

"There are a million reasons to stress out, but there is only one reason you shouldn't...Because the rest of your life starts TODAY. Regardless of mother nature or mother-in-law's, there is no storm that is stronger than your commitment to each other TODAY!" - Chris Hintz, Owner

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For the past couple of months, we have been traveling across the United States (well...virtual traveling) to speak with all types of wedding vendors - florists, venues, DJs, videographers, photographers, hair and makeup artists and so many more!

We contacted 9,052 vendors and narrowed that down to just 100.

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What the series is all about!

Theresa Bridget Photography

Theresa Bridget Photography

This series is all about managing your stress. For those of you who read yesterday's post on the different types of wedding planning stress (the good and the bad), we promised you that we would give you a way to manage your stress and nerves, so here we go!! We have asked vendors to provide us with the most helpful and unique ways for brides to manage their stress and as you will see over the next 10 days, we've found some pretty interesting ways that vendors have helped brides manage their stress.

While not every tip and trick is going to work for all of you, we will be providing you with a pretty wide variety so there is sure to be at least a couple that will work for each of you!

Each day, we will be featuring 10 vendors. All vendors will be presenting their unique advice, so keep an eye out each day to make sure you don't miss the vendors featured in your state!

How were these vendors chosen?

First, take a look at this video...

  

100 Stress-Free Tips & 100 Vendors to Get You There

05/01/2014

21 Comments

 

Want these tips saved on your computer for when you need them the most? Download our PDF of all 100 tips here!

Download Here

We contacted 9,052 vendors and narrowed that down to just 100...

Comment each day with your favorite tip of the day!
For each comment, you will entered to win a signed copy of my book, "The Overwhelmed Bride"

1. No Boundaries Photography - Kansas

Visit Their Site

“Planning BEFORE the wedding is always a good thing. Plan to your little heart's content, but once the big day arrives, throw caution to the wind and let it happen!”
- Graciela Stanley, Owner/Photographer

2. LaFleur Plantscapes + Fresh Flora - Arizona

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Neil Kreuser Photography


“Research and choose vendors that have a good reputation and that you can trust.”

– Colleen LaFleur,
Owner/Principal Designer

3. RS Makeup Artistry - New York

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Mark Kopko Photography

"After you get engaged, think long and hard about who you are going to choose as your wedding party members - both bridesmaids and groomsmen. At times, brides and grooms feel pressured to include certain friends or family members out of fear of insulting someone. In reality, these people - aside from close family - are the ones who will be involved in all major wedding activities, and usually in the planning process as well. If brides make the smart choice to surround themselves by the people they REALLY want involved in their wedding, they will avoid a lot of drama and thus, a lot of stress." - Rachel Seedorf, Owner/Senior Makeup Artist

4. Moving Picture Weddings - Oregon

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“Just to roll with the punches and embrace how the day is unfolding as your own unique day. No matter how much you plan for something there will always be twists and turns. That is all a part of the excitement of your wedding day!" - Laura Daniel, Client Support

Jacqueline + Sean :: Woodmark from Moving Picture Weddings on Vimeo.

5. Texas Old Town - Texas

Visit Their Site

 

"Define WHY you want to "I DO" and let that be your inspiration through your planning!" - Martha Boltz, General Manager

6. Photography by Marirosa - Virginia

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"There is no right or wrong and there is no impressing everyone else - it's about celebrating your unique love story and if you keep yourself the priority, it will be stress free."
- Marirosa Anderson, Photographer/Owner

7. An Occasion Flowers - Washington

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"Go to a wedding show, look at some bridal magazines, check out wedding websites.......then find a florist who understands your vision and who is willing to please YOU. Then quit looking - trust that your flowers will be beautiful and enjoy your engagement. Brides often create a lot of stress for themselves about second-guessing their choices and making changes."

- Sandy Dubsky, Owner

8. Cleveland Bridal Makeup - Ohio

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"I always think it's a good plan B to master the smile and nod like you're listening when really you're somewhere light years away! Then walk away with your sanity in check!"

- Bonnie Thomas,
Key Makeup Artist

9. Elegant Bridal - North Carolina

Visit Their Site

 


"If the wedding date is over 14 months away, do not start dress shopping too early. You may miss a new collection and may become too confused trying on too many dresses too far out. Research styles you may like first and also the  cost of dresses from different collections. Educate yourself first and set a budget."

- Ginny Griffin, Owner

10. J. Anne Photography - Nevada

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"What I tell my brides in that moment is that her wedding is today. And it is the only day that her wedding day will exist. So...cool your jets, and know that you can always get mad on Monday. Because Monday isn't your wedding day. Today is. Oh, and .... don't forget to go pee before you get into your dress!"

- Jodi Inouye,
Owner/Lead Photographer

11. BeChic Bride - Missouri

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Justin with Beau Vaughn Photography


"Don't expect your stylists to convert you into Carrie Underwood. You may have her hair and makeup for your big day look, but be realistic. Embrace YOUR beauty. Relish in your day. Know that there is no one in the world who looks just like you today and you are gorgeous. You don't need to be Jennifer Lawrence to take his breath away. :)" 

- Breanna Borlase and Mikayla Crane, Co-Owners/Hairstylists and Makeup Artists

12. Kentlands Mansion - Maryland

Visit Their site

 



"Simple is best. It will create less stress and more of an enjoyable day for you!"

- Kristy King,
Community Facility Manager

13. Music Machine DJ - Indiana

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"When selecting music for your day, focus on a few key numbers. Do not try to pick every song. That makes it a chore, instead of fun. Pick the special dance songs, maybe 10 must-play tunes, and then be general in the genres you would like to hear. Let your guests make requests and drive the direction your DJ follows. You set up guidelines for you party, the must-play, play-if-you-can and do-not-play songs, but rely on your professional to read the crowd in the moment and trust his selection of the order and timing."

- Paul Chamberlin, Owner/DJ

14. Kristin La Voie Photography - Illinois

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"Date nights, hands down. It can be so overwhelming planning a wedding, and often times couples may find themselves in a situation where they feel like they are just going through the motions of planning a wedding without really enjoying it! I'm a believer that if something isn't fun or enjoyable, then you shouldn't be doing it! I always tell my couples to carve out time to put down their wedding binders and have a relaxing date night. Time spent together will really help remind them of the purpose of this whole crazy planning adventure and keep everything in check. At the end of the day, all the planning is to celebrate their love for one another. Nothing should get in the way of that. They need to stay true to who they are and what THEY want, too!" - Kristin Garcia, Owner

15. Deerfield - Delaware

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"Imagine how important this decision/crisis/choice will be to you in five years. Having a great picture of you and your family on the day of the event with that grandmother you love - very important! The exact shade of the gold foil logo on the cocktail napkins being just a bit off?? You won't even remember that in a month, let alone five years. Be sure you run your every stress through the five-year test!"
- Jeffrey Robinson, Director of Sales

16. The Bride's Shoppe - Montana

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"Pretend that your wedding is a month before it really is, and have everything done by that date. Then you still will have 4 weeks to relax and actually enjoy yourself!"

- Michelle Payton, Owner

17. Studio 29 Photography - Wisconsin

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"Get a dog and take it for runs daily! ;) Honestly, keep a binder full of your wedding dreams, wishes, fears, plans, contracts, etc. This will help you stay organized, but it will also condense all of you wedding stuff into one place. This binder also represents that you can close it and take a break/breather from wedding planning and make time for yourself. Remember, you do have a life outside of your wedding planning agenda. Do not forget to eat right, get plenty of rest, be good to yourself and relax." - Ren Davis, Photographer/Owner

18. 125 Bridal Boutique - New Hampshire

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"It is so very important that you surround yourself with people who do not stress you out. If you don't get along with your sister, then don't have her go with you for cake testing. Choose people who are truly there to help and guide instead of take over and be jealous."
- Natalie H, Store Manager/Buyer

19. Brushworx Hair and Makeup - Georgia

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"Stop looking at hair/makeup pics after you've already had your trial and loved it! It only makes you second guess your decisions and creates anxiety."

- Christine Pay, Co-Owner/Artist

20. Pearl Wedding Photography - Hawaii

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"Be comfortable with your vendors. And just be who you are." - Jessica Pearl, Owner

21. Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Centers - California

Visit Their Site

A Perfect Impression

"A bride getting ready should be a special and relaxing time. Too often we see every auntie, second cousin, and random groomsman’s girlfriend bust their way into the bridal room to hang out. Decide who you want to be in the room with you ahead of time and then assign the job of 'bridal room bouncer' to the biggest loudmouth in your bridal party."
- Julia Henning,
Director of Marketing

22. Magic Valley DJ Services - Idaho

Visit Their Site

 

"Hire the proven professionals - speak freely and honestly to them about your desires and dreams for your wedding, and pay very close attention to whether they are actually listening. And if they are in fact listening and are proven professionals, relax and let them do the work. Trust in them and enjoy your special day."

- Forrest Loomis, Owner/DJ

23. Bridal Xperience - New Jersey

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"Don't forget about taking time out for yourself. Depending on your situation as far as the condition of your skin or hair due to stress, I give by brides homework prior to us meeting again. Most of the time I share with them some awesome home remedies for deep conditioning treatments and hair masks to try. Or, if their budget allows, to get a facial and a massage for even better results on their wedding day."

- Lissa-Marie Ribeiro, Owner/Hair & Makeup Stylist

24.  Motionworks - West Virginia

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"Designate someone else to deal with details on the day of the wedding! The bride should never be confronted with little problems like a DJ who gets lost, a stuck bridesmaid's zipper, or an out of control guest. The day can feel overwhelming, so choose a trusted person to deal with anything that comes up."

- Rebecca Moran, Co-Owner

auvid + charlie [a greenbrier wedding] from wvmotionworks on Vimeo.

25. The Barn at Lang Farm - Vermont

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"Have faith that it will all be perfect. Have vendors you can count on and don't obsess."

- Jon Lang, Owner

26. jasonrjonas - South Dakota

Visit Their Site

"Simply look around and realize everything is for you . . . enjoy all the hard work. It is Your Day. Let us do the work and you can relive your day forever."

- Jason Jonas, Videographer

jeff & libby \ married from jasonrjonas on Vimeo.

27. Crown Winery LLC - Tennessee

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"Sit back, take off your heels, close you eyes, and think of a peaceful place...the ocean, a beach, a forest, etc.....then breathe deeply and let yourself go there. Being a winery, we can also offer the bride (if she's 21, of course) a glass of wine to calm her down as well as her mother if need be!"

- Rita Howard, CEO/Co-Owner

28. Talitha A. Tarro Photography - New Mexico

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"I don't think there is any blanket advice to give to brides to cover every personality type. Some brides are calm and roll with the punches, even through rain during the middle of an outdoor ceremony. These brides realize that these little bumps are what memories are made of and laugh through it. Other brides do well hiring a wedding planner who can delegate the details."
- Talitha Tarro, Owner/Photographer

29. Bombshell Bridal Boutique - Michigan

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"Keep an open mind and remember that this is a NEW experience for you, so it's okay if you don't have all the answers! That's why dedicated, reputable wedding professionals are here to help!"

- Amanda Cover, Owner

30. Halley's Photography - Louisiana

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Cake done by Fairy Dust Cakes




"I tell all of my brides that not everything will go exactly like they have planned it, and that is okay. But, I will try my best to "fix" whatever it is that needs to be fix: if that's hair, makeup, if I need to be a bridesmaid, or even bake a cake, I will do it! This seems to calm them down so they can relax and enjoy their day."

- Jennifer Halley, Owner

31. Alvamar Country Club - Kansas

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Kim Joyce Photography




"Published timelines and checklists are a great resource to use as a guide but can overwhelm brides and make you feel like you are behind from the very first day of planning. As long as you give your vendors adequate time to provide you with the best possible service on the day of your wedding, don't let timelines overwhelm you."

- Kursten Minnis,
Director of Event Sales & Marketing

32. Nikki Moore Photography - Nebraska

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"Your wedding day is NOT about the pictures. When I work with a bride on a timeline, I am really careful to ensure we aren't shooting ALL DAY LONG because that's not only exhausting for me and them, but it can really take away from the meaningful parts of the day, and add to everyone's stress. So my advice would be to forget about of any major part of your preparation that is "just for the photos." Don't buy a second dress "just for the photos." Don't spend 30 hours on a headpiece that's "just for the photos." Do the things that you want, but do it for YOU and your own style and personality as a couple! Don't spend a lot of time planning out details just so they'll look good in a photograph - because in that case you're just trying to impress strangers!! Nobody's got time for that! There are millions of wedding blogs and a lot of "noise" out there...and expectations that you will have loads of amazing STUFF for your photographer to capture. Do your best to see past that noise. Find a photographer who sees past it too. You will forget a lot of your day, so focus on creating the elements of your wedding day that will be truly meaningful to you in 10 or 50 years."
- Nikki Moore, Owner/Founder/Manager

33. Tuscany Gardens - Utah

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"I instruct my brides to play the "Tony Card." When any family member or friend is persistently trying to get the bride to do something with their wedding which they simply do not want to do, rather than contend in stressful disputation, tell the person, "Tony the coordinator doesn't think that will work. Sorry!" The heat gets taken off the bride and placed elsewhere, where it rightfully belongs." - Tony Consolo,
Venue Owner/Wedding Planner/Wedding Host

34. Jeff Achen Videography & Photography, LLC - Minnesota

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"Hire people that your heart and your head tell you that you can trust. You need to actually "like" the people you hire for your wedding day. So, get to know them a little bit. Ask them about their family, how they got into the wedding business, and what they love about their job. The answers will tell you a lot about them. And, ask for references!"
- Jeff Achen, Videographer

Abby & Andrew from Jeff Achen on Vimeo.

35. Brock Entertainment - Arkansas

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"If something goes wrong, most people won't even notice and it just makes for a better story to tell your kids when you are old and gray." - Brock Short

36. Aspire Images - Colorado

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"Choose the 5 things that are most important to you to go right on your wedding day and put the majority of your energy into those. The rest still matters, but it's just details. If the 5 big things go right, then you've had a successful wedding and the rest is just memories - the good, the bad, the awkward, the priceless. Don't let the details stress you out and cause you to lose sight of the joy of your day." - Michelle Blanchard, Owner/Photographer

37. Signature Sounds DJ & Event Lighting - Rhode Island

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Josh Wong Photography


"Work as much of "you" into your wedding as you can. Remember, it's YOUR day!"

- Jay Friese, DJ/Owner

38. Katherine Herndon Photography - South Carolina

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"Don't look at the wedding as the grande finale that has to be executed without a single flaw. Look at it as just the beautiful beginning to the rest of the story you get to share with the love of your life. What a privilege! When you keep the right perspective it makes it easy to not stress out over the details. It's all about the love." - Katherine Herndon, Owner/Photographer

39. Zara Creative - Michigan

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"Do yoga. Seriously. It will keep your stress levels in check and get you ready for the ever stressful dress fittings leading up to the big day! ;-)" - Heather Zara, Owner

Katie + Tim - The Wedding Film from Zara Creative on Vimeo.

40. Bliss Bridal - Connecticut

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"Most of the reactions you see on television are created for television. Not every girl has a fall-down, crying moment when she selects her gown. For most of our ladies, they feel great, gorgeous, like the best version of themselves. And they don't want to take it off. Those are the feelings to look for in "the gown"."

- Jessica Boni, Owner

41. Alda's Magnolia Hill - Arkansas

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"It is all in the planning beforehand! Approve your timeline before the day of - that is what makes the day go smooth as planned."

- Alda Ellis, Co-Owner

42. Ramada Grand Dakota Hotel - North Dakota

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"What is most important is your love for one another, not impressing anyone."

- Pernora Kadrmas, Catering Manager

43. Inspire Me Imagery - New Jersey

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"Grooms: the words "I don't care," "whatever you want dear," and "it doesn't matter to me" should never leave your lips! Always give your opinion especially if you don't care if the invites are blue or light blue. Trust me, it'll go a long way and earn you some respect as a decision maker in the process." - John Kotlowski, Owner/Lead Photographer

44. Closer North - Maine

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"Make sure you have a timeline and that everyone involved with the wedding gets one and knows where to be. Smooth."

- Erica Leighton, Owner

45. Chernivsky Weddings - Illinois

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"Just embrace all of the stress and learn to become comfortable with it. Stress isn't the killer, it's reacting to it and allowing it to control you and your wedding day. If you're witnessing stress then you're most likely manifesting it yourself. I know that's a harsh answer, but it's honest. Learn to understand where that stress comes from, and be an active agent in handling it." - Ben Chernivsky, Owner

46. SHOWORKS - Florida

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"Only tackle one piece at a time. Don't jump around and let things get lost and misplaced both physically and mentally. You will feel much less overwhelmed if you can actually cross items off your list rather than adding on to it!"

- Stefanie Berry, Creative Director/President

47. Ysabella Jones Photographer - California

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"Think of the bigger picture. You're doing all of this so you can get married to the love of your life. Just because the flowers are a shade different than what you picked out doesn't mean you're destined for divorce. Don't worry, sweet pea. All things happen together for the good, and everything truly will be okay." - Ysabella Jones, Owner

48. J. Tailor Salon - Texas

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"Journal your stressful thoughts. It will help you gain perspective and clear your mind."

- Shreeda Tailor, Owner

49. The Thoroughbred Center - Kentucky

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"Keep your expectations in check. You have three choices: Fast, Cheap and Good - Pick Two."

- Amy Jackson, Event Coordinator

50. Funkyhulagurl Photography - Hawaii

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"I always tell brides that the wedding can't happen without them, so just take a deep breath and let the day play out." - Nohea Runnells, Owner

51. Southpointe Golf Club - Pennsylvania

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"Learn to say "no." Everyone will want to give you their opinion weather you want it or not. Stay true to your vision, which I am sure you have been dreaming of since you were a little girl!"

- Lauren Mitchell,
Banquet & Event Sales Manager

52. Powers Studios - Oregon

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"I think you should celebrate every decision. Whether it's by popping some champagne, going on a fun date, or taking a day off from planning, it should be something that helps you recognize your progress and have fun with the planning!" - Erin Cope, Studio Manager

53. Love Your Face Beauty - New York

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"Budget according to what matters most to you. If you don't care where you get married but you care about the photos, spend your money on a photographer, hair, and makeup and find a budget venue. If you aren't hiring a photographer, splurge on the venue and don't hire hair and makeup! Do what will make you and your future husband the happiest."

- Amanda Thesen, Hair & Makeup Artist

54. Forever Yours Images - Missouri

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"Pass off the check-list of things to do the week of the wedding to trusted friends and family so you can be your best emotionally and in good health for your wedding day."

- Lisa Wassilak, Owner/Photographer

55. Simply I Do - Iowa

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"Branch out from Pinterest. A lot of the dresses on Pinterest aren't available so when a bride falls in love with a $10,000 custom designed gown and has a $2,000 budget, they are setting themselves up for disappointment. Pinterest can be very helpful for decoration ideas and color schemes, but it needs to be utilized in moderation when planning a wedding."
- Andrea Koch, Owner

56. M. Rinaye Photography - Indiana

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"Choose to live in the moment of happiness and excitement."
- Maike Pulliam, Owner/Photographer

57. to make Beautiful - Massachusetts

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"Just breathe and realize that you aren't auditioning. You know everyone who is going to be there. AND, If you pass out, at least your makeup will still look good!"

- Kimberlee Bowen,
Makeup Artist / Master Esthetician

58. Eliana Nunes Floral Design - North Carolina

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Live View Studio



"My honest advice would be to avoid micro-managing. Once you have chosen your vendors and you have read their reviews, checked references and all that good stuff, trust them to do what you've hired them to do. Brides who try to micromanage everything end up driving themselves into a huge amount of stress."

- Eliana Nunes, Owner/Head Designer

59. Jacquelyn Phillips Photography LLC - Arizona

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"It's okay to take 5 minutes to yourself any time you need it during the wedding day - 5 minutes to hold hands with your husband, or 5 minutes before you put on your dress to eat. Take those breaks in your day to savor every moment."

- Jacquelyn Phillips, Owner/Photographer

60. Fairview Farm Events - Virginia

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"Pick a venue that has a plan for the
"what ifs"."

- Debora Gordon, Managing Owner

 

61. Felice Bridal - Colorado

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"No one besides you will know what wasn't perfect! Same with the gown. Your groom/guests will only see what you are wearing on your wedding day -- they will not know what your 2nd and 3rd place options were." - Robin Woronoff, Co-Owner
 

62. Lisa Robinson Photography - California

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"Instruct them to stand tall with their feet apart and get as large as possible! Flex your muscles like a wrestler and make a scrunched up warrior face. Loud war cries and punching the air multiple times is highly encouraged! This usually gets everyone laughing and relaxed and makes for some fantastic and hilarious photos!" - Lisa Robinson, Owner

63. Avenia Bridal - Utah

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Alixann Loosle Photography

"Avenía is able to tailor your designer or custom wedding gown to your exacting requirements. We recognize that our brides entrust us to help them create a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we make every effort to cause them to smile each time they reflect on their special day" – Ariel Baker, Consultant
 

64. Be Original Photography - New Jersey

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"When we see the stress in our bride or groom's eyes and can see they are getting frazzled, we tell them to whisper something inappropriate (i.e., dirty) to each other. Why? Because they immediately laugh and remember to focus on just them and tune everyone else out. This also gets the most camera shy grooms to crack a real smile and loosen up."
- Bre Wakefield & Emmy Rampton, Partners/Photographers

65. FLAIR Austin - Texas

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"Being an Esthetician I immediately turn to the essential oils. I bring 2 different scents along with me in my makeup kit~ Lavender and Grapefruit, and I came to realize these on my own wedding day due to my own spazztastic tendencies. The lavender gives a calming effect while the grapefruit lifts your mood and energy, an excitement simulation if you will. They have been a hit at a good 90% of the weddings I've worked, with the exception of brides that are allergic or veer away from the scents due to personal choice. It just sets a relaxing and zen atmosphere, something every bride needs on the morning of her big day! A few drops on the pressure points or even just straight up nose to bottle with deep breathing does the trick!" - Kassy Holly, Co-Owner/Lead Makeup Artist & Esthetician

66. Twisted Images Photography - Pennsylvania

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"Laugh. I know it sounds funny but a little smile goes a long way. I have had brides when where all else seems to be failing, making them laugh brightens the mood and the stress disappears. They say laughter can be a remedy to many things, and bringing the smiles back to a brides face with a little joke or even saying something witty to lighten the mood is a simple yet very effective trick I have learned and will most certainly keep using. After all the bride should be happy on her wedding day ;)"

- Christina Smith, Owner/Photographer

67. Rural Hill - North Carolina

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Love Shutter Photography


A glass of champagne to start the wedding day - and leave the rest to the professionals! All of the guests in attendance will never be in the same place together again, so enjoy every moment and do not get caught up in the details that may not mean all that much in the end."

- Lauren Petervary, Events Director

68. Forever Young Photography - Wisconsin

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"My biggest piece of advice for brides is to expect the unexpected and learn to live with the perfectly imperfect because things will go wrong. When the seating chart is messed up and the caterer can not get your favorite bottle of wine, it's OKAY because one thing is for sure - at the end of the day you will be married to the one you love." - Rebekah Luedcke, Owner

69. The Lodge at Mt. Park - Oregon

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"Start with a budget, and keep with it. Have a notebook divided with all items that you will need for your wedding (location, decorations, floral, photography, etc.)."

- Melissa Browning,
Events Manager

70. OKC Videos - Oklahoma

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"Don't try to BUILD the best day of your life, MAKE it the best day of your life! Don't try to buy the best day and waste money on lavish venues and vendors, but make the day special by focusing on the people around you and the love you and your soon-to-be-husband have. The most fun weddings I've been at haven't been in amazing locations with the best everything. They were fairly simple and focused on enjoying each other and the love that is present. Then there's other weddings where the focus is putting on a huge show to impress friends and I know the couple argue about pointless things before the wedding day."
- Ryon Hinson, Owner/Videographer/Editor

Kyle & Haley Young | Wedding Highlights - Rose Briar Chapel from OKC Videos on Vimeo.

71. Creative Beaute Agency - Minnesota

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AJH Photography

"Don't miss out on this day, distracted with trying to control it. The greatest memories come from the moments you never expected and could not have planned... so let it go and let them happen."

- Robbin Julien, Owner/Operator

 

72. LifeScapes Photography and Event Design - Michigan

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"I have a code word I give out to my brides before the wedding day so I know when they would like me to step in and create a distraction for someone or many someones."

- Lindsey Gibson, Owner/Photographer

73. Cotton Rouge - South Carolina

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J Jones Photography

"Listen to music and sing it out! I had a bride who I could just tell was getting very overwhelmed. And it was a huge bridal party surrounding her! I simply got my phone out and turned on Pandora to some nice music (not spa music... Drive down the road with the windows down music), laid my phone in her lap and said calmly to her "I'm just going to switch and do your hair now". Her eyes had been tearing up from stress and it was definitely going to make makeup tricky. I asked all 12 people in the room to head out of the room for a minute because I needed to ask the bride a private question. They did. The bride asked me what was up and I said "not a darn thing I just wanted you to have a moment." She cried and apologized and I said, "Oh girl please! Do you think you are my first bride who needed a moment?!" She laughed and we jammed to a song and then let everyone back in the room." - Katie Cotton, Owner

74. Blueflash Photography - Rhode Island

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"It's over pretty quickly and then other parts of life begin, so don't rush it or wish it away! It's a once in a lifetime experience." - Matthew Celeste, Owner/Lead Photographer

75. VIP Country Club - New York

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"Choose vendors you'll want to use well beyond your wedding day, as you return for a christening or 1st birthday party for your child!"

- Mike Morelli, Vice President

 

76. Allison Hope Photography - New Hampshire

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"Choose vendors to work with whom you trust and not just those who strike the best deal. I love a good bargain as much as the next gal, but I do not believe your wedding is the place to be bargain hunting. If you choose vendors whom you trust, then you will have no need to worry about the work they will produce."

- Allison McGrail, Owner

77. The Ridge Tahoe Resort - Nevada

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"Listen to your hearts. If you and the groom want to walk down the aisle together rather than following traditions, then you should do so. If you want to wake up together and have coffee, chat, massage, help each other get dressed, we say, 'Why Not? It's your day.'"

- Blair Varela, Group Sales Manager

 

78. Shane Godfrey Photography - Massachusetts

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"I always tell my clients to have their wedding the way THEY want it, not how their parents or friends think it should be. It is 2014 and at this point you can have or not have any traditions you would like. I even have clients that get married without officiants!"
- Shane Godfrey, Owner

79. Phillip Michael Studio Bridal - Maryland

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Laura Murray Photography


"Breathe! This is a time to enjoy the process of planning your special day so take a minute to realize that this can be fun!"

- Lauren Lamon,
Marketing & Advertising Assistant

 

80. Dev Khalsa Photography - Idaho

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"Develop a close relationship with your vendors so you get very comfortable with them."

- Dev Khalsa, Owner

Dev Khalsa Photography from Dev Khalsa on Vimeo.

81. Frank & Mia Wedding Films - Georgia

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"What's stress spelled backwards? >> Sserts! And do you know what that means? Nothing at all. Just remember that the next time you decide to stress out :)"
- Maya Table, Executive Producer

82. Born Ready Fitness - Connecticut

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"When you wake up in the morning make sure you start your day saying, "I need to do 3 stress-free things for myself today and one of them must be some form of physical activity to help with any tension or anxiety." All of the brides that we train swear by this! You can do it!!"

- Michael Gulyas

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83. Melissa Miksch Photography - Washington





"Pick your battles. Really think about what you truly care about, and what is just you needing to win. I've seen a lot of people get caught up in a power-struggle over things they really didn't care about. Save your energy for the important things."

- Melissa Miksch,
Owner/Lead Photographer

84. Linekin Bay Resort - Maine

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"Plan but do not over plan. The more you plan the faster the day will go. Let the professionals you hire do the work for you."
- Mark Osborn, General Manager/Event Planner

85. Prince Photography, LLC - Louisiana

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"When budgeting for your wedding, don't think in terms of just prices, but think of what is being presented. Make a hierarchy of what is most and least important. Check out vendors for their service, not for their prices. Sometimes it truly is better to just not have something, than to have something that is not up to par." - DJ Hunter, Owner/Photographer

86. Something Chic Floral - Iowa

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Aaron Borchers Studio


"Watch a funny movie the night before your wedding - something that is not wedding-themed. It will help you relax and take your mind off of the busy day to come."

- Danielle Tamasi, Owner

 

87. Roselle Photography - Kentucky

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"ASK FOR HELP! Delegation is key. I know when I was planning, I was afraid of being needy, annoying, or "bridezilla"-esque if I asked for help. As a result, I heaped unneeded stress on myself. When I finally took a step back, I realized how excited I would be if a friend relied on me to organize something for her big day. I would be honored! With that in mind, I began asking for help, and my stress load decreased exponentially."
- Megan Rose, Owner/Photographer

88. City View Loft - Illinois

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Cage & Aquarium Photography



"Once you figure out the details and hand your concerns over to your vendors, you can be free to enjoy what is truly one of the most spectacular days of your life."

- Joshua Yates, Owner

 

89. DeepBlu Entertainment - Tennessee

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"We always help our clients remain stress-free by donating as much time as it takes to help them find ALL of their vendors for their wedding day. By helping them build a strong team of vendors, the stress just melts away."

- Jimmy Harris, Director

 

90. Karen's Fireside - Nebraska

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"Do your research and be realistic about what you can expect to spend BEFORE you start talking to vendors."

- Denise Evans, Co-Owner/Manager

 

91. Flowers by Girlfriends - Kansas

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Nicole McVey Photography




"Make a decision and stick with it. I have a lot of brides who get on Pinterest and continue to find new ideas and change their minds. This is overwhelming for you and will make you more stressed!"

- Kenna McNeil, Floral Manager

 

92. Lifetime Media - Missouri

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"Balance. Regardless of who's the best, what's the best, why you can't have aunt Jane sit with uncle Jimmy, or whether you have an open bar, ALWAYS remember to have balance. At the end of the day, your day will be YOUR day. Have what you want and how you want it. Breathe. Smile. And take it one day at a time. All great things come together with balance.....and mimosas"   

      - Kyra Hannah, Project Coordinator

 

93. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake - Montana

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Carrie Ann Photography

"Take advantage of the resources available to you. Websites like The Knot contain timelines, checklists, and budget templates. Use these resources to get yourself organized and plan out exactly what you have to do. If you're on top of it early when you have plenty of time, you'll be less stressed later when it's crunch time!"

- Emmie Gallo, Catering Service Manager

 

94. BM hair & Makeup Design - Illinois

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Anne Steele Photography




"Do not feel that every decision needs to me made that second. Always make the tough decisions over a glass of amazing wine!"

- Brittany Mescolotto, Owner, Hair & Makeup Artist

 

95. Green Couch Photography - Ohio

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"As much as we want to shoot your wedding, we want you to have the best wedding. Believe it or not that doesn't always mean to go with the 'Best Photographer.' That means go with the best photographer for you. I would encourage you to meet with more photographers and find the one that meshes best with YOU. That is what will result in the best photos; the person you trust and get along with. If that is us, then GREAT! Let's sign on the dotted line and get your planning started. If not, don't worry, we understand. We want your wedding to be perfect. We get tons of weddings, you only get one." - Zac Surant, Owner, Photographer

96. Luma Bridal - Florida

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"We always recommend turning your cell phone over to someone else on the day of the wedding, so you are not stressed while getting ready."

- Marla Harmon, Manager

 

97. The Allure - Indiana

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"Keep your rehearsal small. By that we mean ONLY bring the people who are participating in the ceremony and let everyone else meet you at dinner afterward. If you're stressed out trying to please everyone at the rehearsal, it ends up setting the tone for the whole weekend! A short, sweet, low-key rehearsal seriously leads into a low-key, calm wedding day. We promise!"
- Jenny Wallace, Banquet Manager

 

98. MyStudio23 Photography - Ohio

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"KISS your fiance. When the planning process gets scary, close your email, Pinterest and Facebook and kiss your fiance. After you have spent some time remembering why you are doing all of this, remembering what your fiance means to you, everything will come into perspective. JUST KISS!" - Jennifer Martini, Owner/Photographer
 

99. The Patio At Archmere Academy - Delaware

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"At the end of the day, just remember how lucky you are to have found love and that you are marrying the man of your dreams. Your wedding day is just the beginning of a beautiful life together."

- Ally McCord, Events Coordinator

 

100. Pinnacle Productions - South Dakota

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"There are a million reasons to stress out, but there is only one reason you shouldn't...Because the rest of your life starts TODAY. Regardless of mother nature or mother-in-law's, there is no storm that is stronger than your commitment to each other TODAY!"

- Chris Hintz, Owner

 

For the past couple of months, we have been traveling across the United States (well...virtual traveling) to speak with all types of wedding vendors - florists, venues, DJs, videographers, photographers, hair and makeup artists and so many more!

We contacted 9,052 vendors and narrowed that down to just 100.

What the series is all about!

This series is all about managing your stress. For those of you who read yesterday's post on the different types of wedding planning stress (the good and the bad), we promised you that we would give you a way to manage your stress and nerves, so here we go!! We have asked vendors to provide us with the most helpful and unique ways for brides to manage their stress and as you will see over the next 10 days, we've found some pretty interesting ways that vendors have helped brides manage their stress.

While not every tip and trick is going to work for all of you, we will be providing you with a pretty wide variety so there is sure to be at least a couple that will work for each of you!

Each day, we will be featuring 10 vendors. All vendors will be presenting their unique advice, so keep an eye out each day to make sure you don't miss the vendors featured in your state!

How were these vendors chosen?

First, take a look at this video...

Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Centers is exactly the type of vendor we went in search for to be featured in this series. Not only do they have beautiful venue sites for your ceremony and reception, but as you can see from they video, they really do everything in their power to make your planning experience as simple, fun, and stress-free as possible. I think we can all agree that this is exactly the type of vendor we are all in need of as we begin planning our weddings!

So not only did we choose to feature these vendors because of their amazing advice, but we did our background research on each and every one of them to provide you with a list of some of the best vendors out there! We spoke to each, checked their reviews, looked at their websites, their work, and their social media accounts to ensure we were recommending only the best out there! Not only is their work absolutely AMAZING and recommended by tons of past brides, but these vendors are all a step above because they focus their work specifically on keeping their brides stress-free from booking through the wedding day.

And want to know what's so cool? We have vendors from almost every single state represented! So if you are still searching for some amazing vendors for your wedding day, we have already done the research for you and would highly recommend each and every one of them. And if you find one you love that isn't located near you, contact them anyways because many of them will travel to you!!

What if I don't live in the United States?

1. You are still going to get some amazing tips on how to stay stress free while planning.
2. Many of these vendors will travel to you! So check them out!!
3. We have a giveaway for all brides who follow the series so keep reading!

And we're off!

Over the next 10 days, will be offering practical, unique, fun, and sometimes even some silly advice. Some tips will be for the bride, some will be for the groom, some will be for the wedding day and some can even be used in your everyday lives. But no matter who you are or where you are planning, there will absolutely be some advice in there that will work great for you!

Some of it I've said before, and some I have never even thought of but over the next 10 days, I am not going to say (or write) a word. All of the advice is directly from the vendors (down to each word), because I want you to get a perspective you have never heard before...since I  know you hear enough of me every day :) Read what these vendors are saying and take away what works best for you. And hopefully, you will find some perfect vendors for your wedding day along the way!

Cheers to being stress-free!