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By Lei Lydle
Founder and Editor
Last Updated: 10/19/2007 10:13:13 AM |
If I had to do it all over again, I would have hired a wedding consultant to be there on my wedding day. Several things went wrong that day and if I had someone else that was extremely knowledgeable about weddings there, I wouldn't have had to deal with certain problems.
For example, the photographer's assistant did not notice that the hem of my dress was flipped up so it is forever flipped up in ALL of my pictures and memories. An experienced wedding consultant would have been participating in the photos and would have noticed and fixed this detail before any photos were shot.
In addition, the bus driver did not have the directions from the church to the reception that I faxed to the limo company. I had to let a guest point the way. If I had a consultant, she would have had copies of the directions for the driver.
After the photos, the entire wedding party was waiting outside of the church for the bus to return but it never did. So they all had to scramble into cars and hurry down to the reception. If I had a consultant, she would have made sure that the bus came back.
Also, if I had it to do all over again, I would have splurged on the gown (and veil) that I really wanted. The price of the dress was $2500 but I LOVED it. I ended up buying a similar gown off the rack for only $790 but it just wasn't the same. I didn't love it then, and now every time that I look at the pictures I just get disappointed all over again.
Finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would have hired a good photographer and videographer from Atlanta. Unfortunately, I was trying to cut costs and so I hired a photographer and videographer from a small town outside of Atlanta. Many of my friends had used these people for their weddings and the price was right. Unfortunately, the photographer didn't know his way around Atlanta very well and he got lost between the ceremony and reception and missed a lot of photos. In addition, none of the photos were black and white or photojournalistic which is what I requested. The video isn't even worth mentioning because it was absolutely laughable. The pictures and the video are really the only way to re-live the memories and every time I see mine, I am disappointed.
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Kelly from Chicago, IL says... |
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Fortunately, I DO get to do it all over again as this is my second wedding. My first wedding 8 years ago to my ex should have never happened in the first place but the wedding itself was not anything of what I wanted-partially because I was supposed to stick to "traditional" cermonial type ideas and partially because my ex is very conservative.
This time, I'm going to Las Vegas with the RIGHT GUY. My friends and family are all coming out for the ceremony and then when we come back we're having a dinner party for 30 of our clos. No DJ (we're doing an iPod DJ), no big white poofy dress (I'm wearing a dress in which I can actually dance and go to the bathroom by myself), no ordering invitations (going to the art store and picking out stock paper and doing them on the library's laser printer for free), no insulting garter removal to the stripper theme (my new hubby will take my garter off in private where it will be so much more fun!).
One bit of advice I would give brides is no one cares about the little details but you and if you make a big deal out of them, you will never have any fun. Nothing is perfect - not even your wedding day. Make the most fun out of it as you possibly can. Instead of being upset that your hem was sticking up or that your music ran out before the procession - if you laugh it off, you'll be a lot happier.
Wedding Date: March 23, 2008 |
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Posted: 10/19/2007 10:07:15 AM |
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Angela Dupont from Madison, WI says... |
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I have recently become a Professional Bridal Consultant and after doing all the research I've done, there are some key things I would have done differently.
I now realize that the wedding isn't all about you. The wedding should be an opportunity for you and your new husband to be fabulous hosts to your friends and family. Never cut the guest list just so you can serve that 5 course sit down meal you wanted. Instead, decide how many people you absolutely want to attend and then figure out what you can serve them.
I bought a bargain dress and am still disappointed with it. I would, as the original author said, have splurged on the designer dress I wanted and cut out the bar at the reception.
Also, no one, not even your parents should go into debt to put on your wedding. Plan only what you or your parents can afford. The guests should feel just as honored whether they are attending a formal event or a barbecue. My parents went into debt for my wedding and I regret having to put them through that.
Lastly, personalize your event as much as you can while also being considerate of your guests.
If any of you need a fun and creative wedding consultant in the Madison Wisconsin area, email me! angeladupont@gmail.com
Wedding Date: 10/05/02 |
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Posted: 12/10/2004 9:35:50 PM |
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Kristine from Fort Myers, FL says... |
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I am a professional public relations professional and can honestly say doing large events takes a lot of time, and still to this day I am always worried on the day of the event. A wedding planner is the best thing I could suggest. You really need someone that has an outline with times, phone numbers, and a back up plan in case a vendor doesn't do what is asked. An example is if you are doing a lot of flowers, but your florist is running late. What do you do with out letting the bride know that something might not be what she is expecting for or paid for? With every event you do/plann expect a snag. If you plan for snags your event will go off better then you had planned! If anyone has questions please e-mail me at kriscris24@hotmail.com. Congratulations!
Wedding Date: 12-08-2001 |
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Posted: 12/19/2003 |
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Christy from Mountain Brook, Alabama says... |
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If I had it to do over again, I would have chosen to wear a different veil to the reception that wasn't as full as the one I wore during the ceremony. Also, the hook that held the train of my gown broke several times over the course of the reception, and MANY people stepped on my dress. Double check with your seamstress before you walk down the isle to make sure everything about your dress is in tact!
Wedding Date: August 2, 2003 |
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Posted: 12/19/2003 |
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Candace from Conyers Ga says... |
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If I had it all to do over again I would have spent less time on pictures after the ceremony and more time at the reception talking to people I love and hadn't seen in years. Do all the pictures you can before the ceremony and limit the ones after. Don't let your wedding director or coordinator hurry you off from your reception. Spend time enjoying yourself and letting the people you love know that they are important to you on your most important day!
Wedding Date: 11/14/98 |
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Posted: 10/17/2003 |
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J from Atlanta, GA says... |
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I would concentrate more on the occassion rather than the wedding. Something is always going to go wrong, no matter how much or how good you plan, how good the coordinator, photographer, bridesmaids, etc. are. If your focus is the occassion, then you will always have the perfect wedding. I am not saying that everyone doesn't deserve their dream wedding, but you shouldn't allow the things that go wrong with the ceremony to consume you.
Wedding Date: 08/31/96 |
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Posted: 9/3/2003 |
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Lisa from Peachtree City says... |
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I thought that I needed a wedding consultant to help with planning my wedding. It turned out that I really did not. I ended up doing all the work anyway. I payed $900 for her to do everything and she did not even stay to the end of my wedding. She had ordered my invitations with the wrong date on them and never proofed them before they were sent out. What a mess that was. I think that if I were to do it all again, I would have researched and interviewed more consultants and made a better choice. Pick someone who has alot of experience and does consulting full time and understands fully what you expect her to handle. A consultant can be a blessing to have on the big day to handling things so you dont have to. I am sure I could have done alot better than what I ended up with.
Wedding Date: 9/21/02 |
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Posted: 8/18/2003 |
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Sholanda from Atlanta, GA says... |
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If I had to do it all again I would hire a security company to man the door and check my guest list. The day of my wedding I had a hostess doing it. As a result, I ended up with a number of uninvited guest taking up seats at my wedding reception. We had to forego introducing the entire bridal party because guests were sitting at the reserved tables. Later, I had to hear complaints about how there weren't enough seats. Realistically speaking, that is probably a difficult position in which to put a friend or relative. You need a no nonsense stranger at the door that no one knows to handle that.
Wedding Date: June 7, 2003 |
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Posted: 8/18/2003 |
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M.A.C. from Atlanta, Georgia says... |
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Oh...there is so much I would have done differently!I would have done a little more research before hiring my florist, photographer and wedding directress. And oh yeah, my pianist...did he even have a clue!? After carefully choosing my flowers and making the selection clear to my florist (and yes it was in writing), my florist managed not only to show up to the church late to decorate, but he also showed up with flowers (including my bouquet) that I DIDNOT order. I asked for a tightly held nosegay and I ended up walking down the aisle feeling like I was holding a tree. His excuse?..."Well, I thought it was pretty". I asked my photographer for "casual" pics to capture the mood of the day. Every single one of my photos were posed when the film came back. He even managed to forget to take the most important picture, the one of me and my new hubby standing in front of the church alter together. My directress...I kinda don't even know why she even showed up. I'll never ever forget snapping my fingers at her from across the church foyer to tell her to stop talking and pay attention to the processional. I used recorded music and it ran out too soon because she was in the middle of a conversation instead getting my bridesmaids down the aisle. And the pianist...well...let's just say after much discussion about him chosing the recessional music since I really didn't have a clue...I guess he just kinda forgot because he didn't bother to play not one note as my husband and I walked back up the aisle immediately after the ceremony. He even had the audacity to have a , "what...what did I do?" look on his face when everyone in the church turned to look at him.
I tried to handle a lot of things, but got in over my head. A wedding consultant DEFINITELY would have helped....a reliable wedding consultant.
Wedding Date: 9/8/01 |
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Posted: 8/13/2003 |
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Danna from Norcross, GA says... |
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My advice to any bride to be is to get your hair done the day before your wedding. It is too stressful to get it done the day of the wedding.
Wedding Date: 8/31/03 |
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Posted: 8/13/2003 |
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Jen from Duluth, GA says... |
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If I had to do it all again, I probably would have hired a DJ instead of a band. The band I hired was a good band but I think a DJ would have played a better variety of music. My parents friends really enjoyed the band but the younger crowd didn't seem to spend much time on the dancefloor. I love to dance so this was a little disappointing.
Wedding Date: 10/19/2002 |
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Posted: 8/12/2003 |
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O.C. from Savannah, Georgia says... |
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- Pick different bridesmaids & be more firm with the ones I had.
All of them were to busy partying to pay any attention to me at all or do anything that I requested. 4 attendants were in such a hurry to get to the recption that they left before we even did group pictures. I have some of these great group pictures and I am missing 4 attendants in them. Also, I had to have a guest give my bouquet to my wedding coordinator ( Maid of Honor duty). And instead of my bridesmaids handing out birdseed - the wedding coordinator (who was busy getting me ready to leave and the carriage ready) had to find other guests to hand them out. None of them made it over to get ready with me - Pick bridesmaids who are going to pay attention to you and all your needs that day - ones that aren't just there for the free alcohol and the party.
Bridesmaids that don't smoke would be good to. Nothing says classy like a bridesmaid smoking outside the church and reception. As a former smoker - nicotine fits aren't that bad.
- Also, be firm with how you want them to look in their dress. I just thought everyone knew how to look the part - its a wedding. I tried to be flexible with mine. Saying - you don't have to get your hair done at the salon if you want to do it yourself. (thinking that they could do it). Most came with their hair like they wear it everyday - very very plain for a $200 bridesmaid's dress and a formal wedding.
I didn't want to be a "army general" about it. I have been in weddings where the bride bossed her bridesmaids around. I hated it - but looking back I wish I had because pictures of my bridesmiads are horrible.
And their shoes - I didn't think I had to make sure they got shoes to match their dress. -I just thought everyone could do that.
And last - the alterations. Make sure they get their dress altered right. Have a dress rehearsal for your bridesmaids. One of mine forgot to have her's altered. She remembered it didn't fit the day of the wedding.
My wedding was so perfect except for my bridesmaids. And I would have rather had the wedding cake fall from the stand or the band play the worng song than my dear friends interested more in the party than me or them looking so horrible. The way your bridesmids look and act - I believe is a reflection on the bride herself. And I was really embarrassed and still am.
Wedding Date: 3/8/03 |
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Posted: 8/12/2003 |
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Lisa from Atlanta, GA says... |
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BRIDES BE WARE, do your research so you don't get swindled. My first hired photographer's mother fell ill and passed away of cancer right before my wedding and I was in a bind to find someone else to do the job. So, I hired my bridesmaid's cousin to photograph my wedding. I went to meet this photographer to sign a contract. She was nicely dressed in a business suit and she spoke knowlegeably about shooting wedding photos while she spread out sets of very professional looking portfolios. I trusted her also because she is my bridesmaid's relative. Well, she came to the wedding/reception and snapped away with the camera, but as it turns out 9 months later, I have never even seen the proof album of my wedding photos. This photographer refuses to even speak to me for some strange mystery reason!! She never explained why I did not get any pictures or my money back. BRIDES, DON'T let this happen to YOU. If I could do it all over, I would have rather picked the photographer out of a phone book than to have hired my bridesmaid's cousin~! If I had the chance to plan it again, I definitely would have done my research AND spent the extra money to put cameras on the reception tables because then I might have been able to put together a memory snapshot album of regular photos of our wedding. You never know what will happen on wedding day even if you've spent 3 yrs. planning. GET REFERENCES. And GOOD LUCK to all of you for a dream-come-true wedding!!
Wedding Date: 11/23/2002 |
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Posted: 8/12/2003 |
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Cindi from Atlanta, Georgia says... |
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If I had to do it all again, I don't think I would have had an outdoor wedding in July. It was so hot...all of the guests were sweating and many mentioned something about it to my mom. I don't know what I was thinking! Other than that, everything went off as planned so overall I was pleased.
Wedding Date: 07/27/2002 |
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Posted: 8/5/2003 |
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