I remember as a little girl playing with my barbie and pretending to walk up the aisle to meet my ‘Ken’. My sister and I used to make our barbie wedding dresses out of tissue! It’s amusing to think of it now, but what is clear is that from a very young age, many of us girls dream of our wedding and what the day will go like. Obviously nothing ever goes wrong, and the whole thing goes off with out a hitch!

Then you meet that special someone and he gets down on one knee and the planning really starts. While it’s so exciting, that this amazing day is about to finally happen, it can quickly become stressful.

1. The first thing to remember is that you will get stressed, so expect it. There are so many things to think about such as the hotel venue, wedding booklets, florist, photographer, band and DJ, the dress, the rings and so many more things you can’t even imagine! With so many, family, friends and vendors involved, things will go wrong. Try to remember that you can’t control everything, so If something does go askew and you can’t do anything about it, Don’t worry. Don’t expect perfection, because with so many things that need to be organized, it would be a small miracle for everything to go perfectly.
2. Don’t try to please everyone – be aware that everyone will have their own opinions on what type of day you should have, which may not be what you had planned yourself. By all means listen to them, but keep a clear picture of what you want as a couple and stick to it. Learn to say ‘No’ assertively but politely!
3. Research your suppliers well. Try to get personal recommendations from other brides if possible. Insist on a contract, (most vendors will supply one anyway) and go through it with a fine tooth comb. When do you need to make payments, what exactly are you getting for your money . If you are getting a photographer, discuss with him/her beforehand where you will have photos taken, a back up location just in case the weather takes a turn for the worst, and a list of must-have shots for the day.
4. Don’t be afraid of having a smaller wedding. – While researching newlywed feedback, it became apparent that a large percentage of couples would have been happier with a smaller wedding that consisted of really close friends and family only. Some brides mentioned that they felt under a little pressure to have as many people there as possible, or found themselves not being able to say no when parents etc insisted on person X, Y and Z being invited that you haven’t seen in twenty years!
5. Don’t forget the person you’re marrying! – some couples get so busy while in the midst of planning, that they forget why they are getting married in the first place. Make time to spend together and do something you both enjoy that doesn’t involve anything related to planning the big day. Sometimes, it’s helpful to take a step back and remember that while your wedding is a momentous occasion, the most important bit is that you are in love and starting a new life together.

 For the day itself, some advice from recent  newlyweds;

1. If possible write down a rough schedule of the day so everyone knows what they need to do. But don’t underestimate the time needed for hair and make up, photos, getting to and from the hotel. Often things will be delayed, which will then have knock on effects for the rest of the evening. Accept that timings will slip.
2. Ensure that a groomsman or bridesmaid has a list of all your suppliers and their phone number, just in case they go AWOL on the day.
3. Ask you hairdresser and make-up artist to arrive half an hour before they need to start, just in case they get delayed. Make sure that you are the first to be done. This will give you some time to relax. Make sure to eat!
4. Bring a reliable bridesmaid with you to your dress fittings. This will ensure that there will be someone else besides you, that knows how to get you in and out of your dress and how to bustle it on the morning.
5. Bring cover for your dress for the day after when you want to bring your wedding dress home
6. Have your bridesmaid bring some lip gloss, powder, some money and a spare pair of comfortable shoes in her bag for you.
7. Put a little emergency pack together that has deodorant wipes ,great for freshening you up but also great for getting stains out of your dress or his shirt!, needle and thread, perfume and plasters.
8. Ensure that you get some time alone with your new partner at some stage during the day. You certainly don’t want to be like ships passing in the night.
9. Spend time with your guests at the reception, Enjoy the fruits of your fervent planning!

After the big day,

1. If possible leave it a day or two before you leave on honeymoon, you’ll have been so busy in the few days leading up to the day itself, that it’s often beneficial to have a few days to relax at home before having to get ready for a long haul flight.
2. Be prepared for the post wedding blues! Many Couples feel deflated after all the months of avid planning come to an end. Routine will settle in rather quickly and some do find it difficult to realise it’s all over. Perhaps plan a reunion weekend for family and friends, or keep a little box of wedding mementos on your desk.

Finally, remember you are committing yourself to be with the one you love for the rest of your life, and that your wedding day is just one great day in a life full of happiness and love that you have to look forward to. Marriage is one of the most difficult but rewarding things you will ever do.

Any recent brides out there who have any more tips? leave a comment!