I'd hire a videographer... I could kick myself!
I would not have forgotten my garters.
I would have taken the extra time to get more pics of me and my husband instead of worrying about the guests waiting.
I think I would have spent more money investing in my hair/makeup. I wanted to find someone that had reasonable prices for my BM's so I didn't go with other people because of that. Even though I was willing and able to spend more on my own services.
I think I would have danced less??? :) I was on the dance floor the ENTIRE night with my girl friends. Because of that, I realized that I didn't get to talk to as many of the guests as I would have liked...especially those that weren't ever on the dance floor.
I would have been more clear with our officiate about our vows. I just assumed that he was going to have us repeat the entire vows (i.e. better or worse, sickness and health, etc) after he said each line. Instead, he said the entire thing and we just got to say "I do" afterward. I'm really bummed that I didn't get to say those words.
I would have insisted on the photog getting more detail shots.
I would have brought flip flops for myself to the reception
we hardly danced AT ALL!!!! we spent most of the night chatting with people. I feel like i missed out a little on that.
HIRE A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER!! DON'T SKIMP HERE.
We would've taken dance lessons and did a choreographed first dance, just a simple foxtrot or something...rather than the "8th grade sway.
Get all your projects done a week before if all possible. I paid the price for putting my projects off. I loss lots of sleep and didn't really get to enjoy hanging out with friends and family before the wedding day.
I would've told my DJ to play music for our older guests first, and then play the young nightclub music later in the night.
I would've gotten lipstick to reapply throughout the day. It didn't occur to me that once my MUA left, I'd have no lipstick to reapply. And there's a LOT of kissing that goes on.
Would be to spend a little more time walking around talking to people ... we really tried to hit every table ... but I know we missed a few and I would go back and make sure I got to those tables and chatted a little more ....once I started dancing that was it , I never left the dance floor.
One less bridesmaid - hate to say it - she was a tad bit difficult and I found myself trying to escape her during the whole planning process and wedding.
Slowed down- and had them do my bustle better. It was not right and the whole night it was bugging me lol dragging, ripping, etc.
ohhhhhh and definitely GET A VIDEOGRAPHER IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously- we watch the 'friends' videos and reminisce. It would be nice to have a professional one!!! You see things you don't even remember lol and it makes me cry!
Hired someone to plan and take over my wedding coordination. I'm still traumatized.
Hired a hairstylist and MUA to come to my hotel room - we drove (not far) to the salon and it would have been much more relaxing and less of a strain on the timeline had I found someone to come to the room.
Eaten our cake...we had no time to even try a bite...the only taste i got was shoving our faces full.
Allowed more time to get ready. We ran way behind with hair that I didn’t have ample time to concentrate on my makeup and felt there were aspects of my hair I didn’t really like, but there was no more time to fuss with it. We also had to cut out taking pre-ceremony pics with BMs because of running over schedule.
Made sure we had microphones for the ceremony-no one could hear what we were saying :( our venue said they would have microphones when I got up there...they didn't have them. So double check.
For the getting ready everyone said they do the bride last so she looks fresh...I would have definitely gone first so that while others are getting ready I could organize m thoughts and take time for myself and pictures instead of being rushed. Then I would have just gotten a quick refresher before the ceremony.
I would have had a second dress if I would have known how hot my dress was going to be when I was dancing.
The only thing that I honestly thing that I would do over would be to add on an extra hour to my reception, it went by too fast.
I would have re-thought my Bridesmaids. Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly, but I would have rather been surrounded around people that were more positive and supportive during the planning AND the wedding.
I would have not worn 4in heels walking around Vegas all day and night- 5 days before my wedding- I had huge blisters- thank goodness for the blister band aids- but at the end of the night my blisters were starting to hurt- so don’t get blister before your big day!
Would have been pushier with my BM's to be ready on time, I didn't get some shots I wanted because they weren't ready.
We decided to not have a receiving line after the ceremony. I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY regretting that.
I highly encourage hiring a DOC. I had one but she cancelled on me the week before, so family members stepped in. Everything worked out fine, but with a DOC he/she knows the timing and can communicate between every vendor and wedding party person. This helps if you don't want to send your groomsmen and bridesmaid all around the venue with messages
i am beyond crushed that we did not take a few pictures in places that i had been so looking forward to...we got so caught up in the moment of dancing and laughing and loving life with all of our friends and family that we didn't get to wisk away to those few secret spots we had been hoping to take a photo at.
I would have 100% opted to see the Groom before the ceremony for alone time and pictures.. The day goes by in such a whirlwind that you no matter how hard you try to "take it all in"--you never can. Would have loved that extra 45 mins alone with my Husband to be. (THIS IS A BIG ONE< SO MANY BRIDES SAID THIS!)
I would have brought my must take photo list to the wedding to ensure we got all the pics with all the important people we really wanted.... we missed SO many.
Try SOOOO hard to soak it all in and enjoy everything. I wish I could go back and do the whole day over. It's so beautiful in my memory, but SO blurred. It went by so fast. I wish I had REALLY savored how much I loved wearing that dress.
I would have taken better care of myself so I wasn’t sick with fever and chills the weeks and days leading up to my wedding day; i think the stress of taking on too much myself had finally taken its toll.
TRIAL run TRIAL run TRIAL run. :) I didn't do this on my makeup. It wasn't horrible but I actually could of done it on my own WAY better. Also TRIAL hair for sure. And go with your first instinct. I still regret wearing my hair up.
I remember and regret that I did not relax enough and did not enjoy the day as much as I could. I was too worried about details and other stuff that does not really matter at the end.
I would have spent more time looking for the perfect dress.
I forgot to make a small speech thanking everyone for coming and thanking our parents for being awesome. I wish we remembered to do that.
Love love love my photographer and videographer (DONT SKIMP HERE! its the only thing at the end of the day that is for you and your husband. At the end of the day, all you have are your memories and photos/video)
Hiring an inexperienced DOC - my biggest regret was hiring a coordinator that she herself had a wonderful wedding but was too overwhelmed during mine. She was a previous PW bride... so WARNING!! someone might have a gorgeous wedding and might be starting a new wedding events business but it doesn’t guarantee a smooth day. I really regret hiring her and would have been better off leaving the tasks to friends and family. If you do hire a DOC, bite the bullet and hire a seasoned pro. If you're not willing to dish out the cash, then just have friends and family that will step up. In hindsight, I still wouldn't pay the 1500 it would take for a DOC. I was still able to have a great day despite not having a good DOC.
Not holding my bouquet lower - i feel like i held it too high and the flowers hid the neckline of my dress. Not major but still.
