September 2010 Weddings
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Wedding Advice
DH and I (mainly me) were asked to write a column for our local newspaper (where he works) to be printed in their yearly wedding publication that comes out a the end of the month.
We have been given complete free reign to do whatever we want. I think they are wanting us to write about our wedding and planning process sprinkled heavily with advice to couples who are currently planning. I could probably even write more than one piece.
I am having a difficult time getting started. So here is my question to you:
What is one piece of advice that you wish someone would have told you or that you would want to share with a couple that is currently planning their wedding? (it can relate to any part)
Thank you so much!
Re: Wedding Advice
Have someone (even if it's just a friend) video tape the ceremony. As much as you try you're never going to remember what exactly was said.
If you can afford it, get the extra hour for the reception. The evening absolutely flew by and was over before we realized it.
Also, in the final weeks, take care of yourself! I was sick the day before the wedding. I managed to rally the day of, but paid for it the next day. And then got DH sick during the honeymoon. We laugh now, but we do feel we didn't get to take advantage of everything our trip could have been because one or the other wasn't feeling well.
This is related to StephanieM's advice, but don't sweat the small stuff, and instead focus on the big picture. We were at a wedding this weekend, and I told H I had wanted charger plates like they had at this wedding, but decided it wasn't worth the expense. Nobody noticed we didn't have them, and life went on.
Also, we planned a few events before the wedding for our friends & family, and that helped us immensely in not feeling so rushed to talk to people at the reception. Because lots of people came in early, we were able to catch up with them, and then able to spend more time at the reception just having fun and talking to those who just arrived that day. It was pricy to host those events, but I think it made people feel very welcomed, rather than coming a long ways just for 1 night.
I totally agree with not sweating the small stuff and looking at the big picture, but I'd also like to add that if you truly want something, look into to DIYing it. It may not always save you money to DIY, but most of the time it does, and you'll be happy with the fact that you made it. I got tons of compliments on the stuff I did and I will always treasure those comments b/c it was my wedding and I was proud of the work I did.
Also, let stuff go, most of the time, it isn't and important detail, just drop it and no one will even know it's missing, like the charger plates PP mentioned.
ETA: HAVE FUN with planning! and OP, congrats on the writing opportunity, I would love to do something like that.
Echoing Jess, it's most important to make sure you and your SO are happy with things. Everyone will have an opinion. If you don't want to hear what Debbie Downer has to say, don't tell her about your plans.
Ditto don't sweat the small stuff. We had ideas on our favors but couldn't come up with anything we were 100% happy with. We ended up ordering single-serving packages of carmel corn from a local candy shop a week before the wedding - the guests loved it, it only cost about 1/2 of a lot of the online ideas we saw, and we supported a local small business. It all falls into place in the end.
And on the day-of, even if you don't have a WC, assign 'someone' to check up on things. When we arrived at the site, I gave my BMs 3 items to check - and told them that if they weren't right to just fix them however necessary - and don't tell me about it! It made me so much more relaxed since I wasn't running around like a crazy person making sure everything was in place (and my BMs rocked, too). That is what you have family/friends/BP for...
I like the advice about taking care of yourself.
I was visibly exhausted the day of the wedding. I wish I was more rested.
Also, I think the sooner people realize the wedding vows are for the couple, the reception is for the family and friends, the better off we will all be. The delusions that a wedding is for the couple only causes heart break.
I'm a big proponent of the wedding video too.
TTC since 2010
Me: 36, slightly elevated FSH. Everything else (hysterescopy, HSG, b/w) normal.
DH:30, with super sperm? >200mil post wash
BFP #1 - May 2011 - m/c @ 8weeks
IUI #1 - July 26 2012 - Femara = BFN
Suprise BFP Jan 15 2013. Hope this one sticks!
gerren and i both agreed--try to find a way to pay someone to help you out--like REALLY help you out. if we could change anything, it would have been spend more money so we would have paid other people to do things that we were doing (for example: haying and hand raking the field 2 days before the wedding, putting up our own tables and chairs, taking down our own tables and chairs, etc.) i realize most people get married at a venue so this is more for people who get married outside/in a tent/etc.
also, SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY to ensure you get the honeymoon of your dreams.
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Being engaged and planning your wedding is such an exciting time. Enjoy every moment of the engagement and planning process because the big day will arrive before you know it. Be sure to compromise with each other. The day belongs to both of you and just make sure that you each incorporate things that are important to each of you. Don't sweat the small stuff (as mentioned) the day will still be wonderful.
Enjoy the big day. Take a moment to breath, shed a few tears, and then smile because this will be one of the most memorable days of your life. Enjoy every moment of the day and look around to see the beauty you created. Do not let people pull you in a million different directions. Most importatly, enjoy the day because you worked so hard for it!
Married / The Cookaholic Wife