BAM Brides: Any words of wisdom?

Following!

Make it about YOU and what YOU want. There will be alot of advice, suggestions, and ideas from people in every direction. but make sure that it is what YOU want spite all these things! Secondly, Organazation is the key. Keep all phone numbers, buisness card, and vendors information, along with reciepts and contracts in a binder. Dont dyi!! if you CAN afford for someone to do your decor let them!! Also keep your wedding party SMALL. It will keep thing simple and less costly. Oh one more thing. I would go to at least 3 boutiques to try dresses, feel the expience and enjoy it!! Preshop before you get there so you have an idea of what kind of dress you want. MAKE A TIMELINE BUDGET. Hope this helps! Congrats!!

Great help! Thank you!

Soak it all in...the whole day will just FLY by. And make sure you drink and eat something! Luckily, my bridesmaids all brought some kind of snack to share with everyone...and my sister supplied mimosas. Helped me relax a lot! Don't sweat the small stuff...if something small goes wrong, the only person that will notice is you and maybe your FH. All you need is the two of you, an officiant, marriage license and a couple witnesses in the end.

Good luck!

My words of advice would be to go to bridal shows to meet vendors in person and compare prices, etc. Have return address labels for bridal shows, thank you cards, invitations, etc ready. Don't sweat the small stuff, and enjoy it because the day itself flies by and before you know it the day is over and you're married! Video if you can afford it also, because in the hecticness of everything it is SO nice to look back and see things you didn't get to see/missed during the day!

Don't forget to eat at your wedding.

Don't jump on your FH's back for a piggy back ride unless you're prepared to break your dress! It was fixed. But I broke it. And it was fun

Make sure everyone tries everything on & makes sure it all fits before the wedding day! I just want to add that although it is your wedding, it is not just all about you. It is about two families joining together. Keep that in mind as you plan. Focus on being a good host for your guests.

Be organized. Always - in the prep stage have a planner and use checklists. For the week before/of the wedding, have final checklists that you made in advance (it's easy to forget things when everything is so soon/so much is going on).

Hire professionals. Professional caters, photographers, DJs, etc. If you don't have a wedding coordinator..I would suggest hiring someone for the day of. My parents thought I was a bit crazy when I suggested this, but in hindsight, they are SO glad I did. The lady I hired helped us SO much and it was so reassuring that someone was at the venue the day of making sure everything ran smoothly while we were getting our hair/makeup done, going to the church, etc.

Breathe. Literally, you need to breathe and try to relax as much as you can prior to the wedding. But, with that being said, sometimes it is hard and it just may not happen as much as you'd like. So much of the setting up usually has to wait up until the last minute (i.e.: Thursday or Friday before the wedding day). Realize this, accept this, and try to be as organized and calm as possible.

A lot of people picked on me for being so organized/anal/staying up so late/DIYing/etc. I can't tell you how many times people basically told me what I was doing wasn't necessary, didn't matter, etc. But...I can also tell you NOW that everyone loved the centerpieces, decor, favors, etc. So...do what you and your husband desire to. I made a lot of work for myself. I understood that, I accepted that, I brought that upon myself. Just do what you have to do so you do not have any regrets on the day of.

That's all I can think of for now. Hopefully this makes sense and is in some way helpful!

Always have a plan B location for outdoor ceremonies/reception.

I agree with previous advice suggesting to hire as many professionals as you can afford. It was nice to be able to let go the morning of the wedding and know that everything would be taken care of.

Sneak off with DH during the reception for 10 minutes of alone/reflection time. Many people suggested that before we got married and we were so wrapped up in hanging out with everyone, we never did. That would have been so nice.

Eat the morning-of! I hadn't eaten anything when it was almost go-time and started to feel shaky and faint. I shoved a plain, dry bagel in my face about 5 minutes before I walked down the aisle!

Breathe.

Make sure you eat...if you're going to give your BMs any "job" to do at all, ask them to make sure you eat.

Breathe some more.

Do not self cater your wedding. Even if a pro chef friend offers to cook for your wedding...don't do it. This is my ONE regret. We let a friend cook for the wedding, and while everything was delicious, and no one got sick...it was SO stressful for him and for DH...I really wish we would have listened to the wise masses of WW.

Take a moment to take it all in during the reception.

My clearest memory of our wedding day was sitting at our sweetheart table, eating. I looked at my husband, looked down at my rings, and around at all of our guests, and was just overwhelmed by the love we felt.

Thanks, ladies! So helpful! I'm getting married Saturday

Not sure why my wedding says "private". It happened when I switched to the app.

Roll with the punches. Regardless of how it shakes out, you're married at the end of the day!

Don't be late. Threaten every pro that could BE late that they can't be, especially MUA's and shuttles. Lateness is the number one stressor for you, your guests and your vendors and venues.

Hire pros that you can hold accountable. Don't book solely on price; there is a reason people who are good charge more.

Don't invite people out of obligation; you'll end up with an expensive room full of people who are not really involved in the party

The whole day just flies right on by. Truly it does. Somethings may not go as planned but as long as you are marrying the love your life then the day will be perfect. Your guests most likely won't notice anything went wrong at all. Take time before the wedding to have a date night with FH. Just reconnect and enjoy being with each other. You can get so caught up on the planning that it's nice to just spend some time together. Be grateful, thankful, and truly appreciate it all, take a moment to look around, take it all in. When it's all said and done you will have memories and pictures/videos. At the reception take a small moment to be with just your FH. You will have a lot of people surrounding you and wanting to talk, you won't get a lot of time together. Make sure you eat. With everything going on and everyone, it is sometimes hard to get a chance to eat. Have fun! This is a must! You have been planning this day have fun and enjoy it!