5 Wedding Planning Tips from a Newlywed

by Jodi

If you can't tell from your Facebook feed, engagement season is upon us! Now that I've finally come down from the adrenaline-soaked wedding high I've been on for a month, I've reflected on the wedding planning choices I made. Whether a regret or a good choice on my part, I hope these ramblings of a recent bride will aid the newly engaged.


Avoid staircases in heels

Nope, I'm not wearing a sock in my heels

This may seem like an obvious tip OR it may seem absolutely stupid and unavoidable, but learn from my newlywed mistake. The night of your rehearsal dinner, you may wear heels, you may be in a rush, it may be rainy and you may be carrying all of your rehearsal dinner gifts, and as you take your final step, there may be a puddle awaiting you that may cause you to slip and sprain an ankle. This happened to me, which meant that my ankle was wrapped for our wedding,
I changed out of my beloved Manolos as soon as we got to the reception and the photo of my MOH helping me into my shoes is marred by a white ace bandage. Luckily adrenaline (and champagne) took over, and I was able to dance at the reception, but I paid for it for a week after. In conclusion, if your soon-to-be hubby is not there to help you down the stairs, wear flats until you reach your destination.

Bright Lights. Bright Face. 

Photo test your wedding day foundation
I loved my wedding day make up (there is a blog forthcoming about the brands and colors I chose). While I wouldn't change the type of make up I used, I would suggest to future brides that you photo test your foundation. The foundation I used (Naked by Urban Decay) made my skin look flawless, but it reflected against my photog's bright light, leaving me with a very white face in some photos.


Make a VIP List for your photographer
Our photographer was incredible and we have some beautiful memories thanks to her, but while searching our photos, I realized that I did not have a single photo with one of my best friends who traveled from California. I also didn't get a posed photo with my MOH until the very end of the evening. You may not think about it and your photographer can't read your mind, so in addition to a list of "must-have shots," give your photog a VIP list of people with whom you'd like an individual photo, and include photos because most likely he/she won't know who "Cara" is.

Buy a removable ring sizer for the wedding
I didn't get my ring sized prior to the wedding because I thought that I may not be wedding-day skinny for long, but looking back I wish I would've at least purchased a removable ring sizer. This is the evening that everyone will be looking at your hand. My ring was sliding all night and some of our wedding photos show my ring spun around.

Designate a Go-to Girl

Such a perfect chance to showcase that beauty!

I'm so very glad I did this one. On the wedding day, things will go wrong. It'll rain and you'll need to move your outdoor wedding into your Plan B venue or your aunt will get lost and need directions. When these things happen (and they will), people will want to call you and get your opinion, blessing or help, but it's your day and you and your groom should not be bothered with issues. You should be able to get ready and reflect in peace. If you have a wedding coordinator, she should handle these issues for you, if you chose to DIY (like me), then you should designate a Go-to Girl to field questions. Give venue contacts, hairdresser, bridesmaids and close family members your Go-to Girl's number AND turn off your phone. I luckily chose two trusty girlfriends for this task, one for the ceremony and one for the reception. Together, they created a protective shield around me; my ceremony coordinator friend {jokingly} offered to "take anyone down at their knees" if they tried to come near me. Because of those girls, I felt completely relaxed, happy and serene throughout the entire day.

Above all, relax and remember that the details are just details. Your wedding day will be perfect, even if your details aren't. The most beautiful bride is a happy bride, and the amount of joy, love and friendship you feel will have you over the moon all day.

Married readers, did I miss anything? Comment below!