Do's, Don'ts, and Dumbs

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Do's, Don'ts, and Dumbs


I attended a wedding and special events workshop today. The speakers were dull and uninformative. One of them even said, "I didn't really plan out or think about what I was going to say until I got here. I
jotted some stuff down while Mrs. So and So was talking." Really?
Thanks buddy. I drove thirty minutes and paid twenty bucks for you to
eat some pound cake and babble about how "awesome" you are.

Anyways, he titled his lecture: "Do's, Don'ts, and Dumbs." I thought it was a clever saying and should be put to good use. So, I've compiled a lists
of do's, don'ts, and dumbs for brides-to-be.

Hire a wedding coordinator. You may not want a wedding planner. You may be a do-it-yourself kind of gal and want to plan everything on your own. But one important
person to hire is a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator is
someone who [typically] comes in the day of your wedding and makes sure
everything goes smoothly. The coordinator represents you and manages
all the vendors, controls the flow of the event, and handles any last
minute problems. Coordinators give you peace of mind and allow you to
really enjoy your special day without the chore of micromanaging.

Give a heartfelt speech/toast. Regardless of length, you and your hubby should stand together at some point during the reception and thank all of your guests for coming. If
you get nervous in front of a crowd, write it down and practice it in
front of your bridal party. Your guests will appreciate you for
including them. Your speech is also a good lead into toasts from
parents and the bridal party.

Don't:

Spend a fortune. If you've got a million bucks just sittin' in the bank, then by all means, spend it. But for the rest of us, spending a few thousand dollars on a
wedding may cause heart palpitations, dry mouth, anxiety, loss of
appetite, insomnia, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach...
well, you get the point. Spend what you can on what is most important
to you. One of the first things I ask my clients to do is write down
the three most important aspects of their wedding. Some choose
flowers, music, and food; others choose decor, photography, and the
honeymoon. Choose wisely and don't go wedding crazy. Debt and
bankruptcy are not fun.

Assume. People don't always think the way you do. People forget things. People make mistakes. People are dumb. All are reasons not to
assume. Make sure you go over your wedding plan, step-by-step, with
all your wedding vendors. It's your day and if you want to take an
extra minute to explain that you want something a particular way, you
go right ahead honey. [Now don't go all bridezilla on me and call
Billy Bob Florist twenty times to make sure he ordered your hot pink
roses.] Also, make sure you have everything in writing. Add your
wishes to your contract or give your vendor a list of what you want.
It's better to be safe than sorry on the most important day of your
life.

Drinking red wine. Hello!!!?!?!?!??? You have on a $1000 white dress. That thing is screaming, "Stain me! Stain me!" Red wine, or any colored beverage, is
not a good idea on your wedding day. If you want to have a cocktail,
stick to white wine and light colored drinks. I suggest to my couple's
that they limit their alcohol intake on wedding day. You're already
nervous, you're going to spill, and you want to remember all the
awesome-ness that is your wedding day. Regardless your poison, avoid
the red wine!

Skimping on photography. Even if this isn't in your aforementioned "top three," it's worth spending money on. After all is said and done, all you have left of
your special day are memories, videos, and photographs. Memories are
only in your noggin and you can't put a video on the mantle. Photos
last forever and are a tangible product of your wedding. Make sure you
check out several local photographers. Look at their portfolios,
determine what kind of style they have, and ask former clients about
their experiences. Get more information from great blogs like McCardell Photography or Elizabeth Larson Photography.

I could list a million do's, don'ts, and dumbs; and I may re-visit this list at a later date. Y'all will just have to stay tuned and see! Do
you have any do's, don'ts, and dumbs? Please share! [And here's hopin'
my next workshop turns out better!]