Wedding planning is over! Unfortunately this means so is my wedding. I learned a lot during this whole entire two year process; a lot about myself, Chuck, and even more about our family and friends. However I think there are a few lessons that I learned that apply to more than just my experience.

1. You need a thick skin. Everyone has an opinion, and obviously theirs is the only one that matters, but remember you can’t please everyone. Sometimes it’s easier to just nod and smile and then later do your own thing. Weddings can really stress a family out, don’t let it become a catalyst for arguments.
2. Wedding magazines are a rip off. With the internet around there’s really no need to spend $10 or $15 on a publication that only features things most of us can’t afford.
3. Bridal showers are awkward. Remember when you were 8 and loved having a birthday party where you’re the center of attention? Yeah that feeling left with puberty, now being the center of attention is just plain weird.
4. Plans change – get over it. For me the big deal breaker was money, I had a lot of ideas that just couldn’t happen because I wasn’t ok with spending that kind of money.
5. Pinterest is both good and bad. While it has a ton of ideas, too many ideas is a thing and it can be overwhelming. I started out with gigantic wedding boards full of everything I liked and then I whittled them down to a few pins with just the stuff that I really liked and could afford.
6. Get him involved right away. I made the mistake of taking on everything myself and in the end I was grumpy and frustrated. Had I just asked for told him to help then it would have relieved a lot of stress on my part.
7. Everyone will want to change just one little thing. Your bridesmaids, your cousin, your mom, it doesn’t matter ….. don’t give in. It’s your day, and no matter how small a thing it is they all add up and next thing you know your wedding isn’t yours anymore.
8. Don’t DIY everything. The pro’s will do it better, and half the time the cost of craft supplies is more expensive than buying the sign outright. Besides no one else will notice the details as much as you. How many weddings have you been to where you remember every sign, and place card? ……Yeah that’s what I thought.
9. Stick to your budget. It’s really easy to just add this or that last minute, but it doesn’t take long for the budget to spiral out of control. Remember what you have to work with and stick to it.
10. You don’t have to do it just because it’s a tradition. We decided against a number of traditions because they didn’t suit us. Honestly I don’t think anyone noticed, and if they did they weren’t bothered enough to say anything so who cares?

The most important thing that I learned is to pay attention at my wedding. You don’t get to go back, you don’t get to do it over, and it only happens once. Remember the look on his face when he saw you, and the smile he gave you after the first kiss, savor dancing your butt of and remember what unlocking the door to the hotel room felt like. Those are the important things, the rest is just stuff.

Anyone else have any other tips for future brides?

I don’t have pictures yet, but the day that Chuck and I got married is very special to me and there are a number of things that I do not want to forget. I have a lot of thoughts, and not a lot of ability to make them cohesive right now so this is just going to be a bulleted list.

• I cried the day before and leading up to it, but was somehow able to hold it together during the actual ceremony. My mind seemed to run through thoughts quickly but also move so slow.
• I helped the girls finalize their flowers, I just loved that I got to do this, since I originally wanted to do all the flowers myself. It’s funny how things work out.
• I loved my make up & Hair from Brittany at Saratoga Debut. It was totally weird feeling since I’m not one to really wear make up, but I really loved the way I looked.
• Waiting to come up stairs was the worst; I had that whole butterflies in the stomach feeling, and I kept crying. (thank god for fake eyelashes)
• I don’t remember walking down the isle. Not one single thing from the time I saw Chuck’s face until when I kissed my dad on the cheek is remembered.
• I couldn’t get the right words out for part of it. We were supposed to say we will for parts, but all I could manage was yes. I don’t know why this was but it got the point across.
• Chuck kept smiling at me, at our minister Snake. It was that smile that made me fall in love and I kept thinking that.
• Snake was the most serious I have ever seen him. He did great.
• Chuck wouldn’t turn his hand so I could put the ring on. The only snaffoo (spell?) of the entire day. I’ll take it.
• Our first kiss was perfect.
• My Maid of Honor’s speech made me cry, and Shecky’s speech made me cry of laughter…poor Chuck.
• My brother smiled more than I think I have ever seen him smile and my sister danced for the whole entire night! I was so happy that my siblings had a good time. As the only kids I was afriad they would be bored.
• I saw family members cut loose like never before. I mean seriously my step can dance!!
• I felt so much love I can’t even describe it. The whole place was just gushing with the stuff.
• Planning may have been a struggle, but it was well worth it. I loved every minute of it. I’m even a little glad Chuck talked me into the whole big wedding thing. It was an experience I will never forget.
• Getting back to the hotel room and  taking a shower was the best feeling ever.
• Realizing Chuck was asleep mid sentence was adorable.
• Ordering room service for breakfast while thumbing through our cards was awesome.
• Being called by new last name is crazy.