Whether you asked or not...
-If you utilize a theme use it, BUT use it sparingly
Don't feel like you have to do every element of your wedding in your theme. This was very true for me but my theme/color scheme was peacock feathers which could be very tacky if it's overdone. I chose the most important elements (to me) to include the actual feathers in which were bouquets, centerpieces, and part of the BM gifts and then just ran more with the color scheme.
-Let your vendors do their job
I struggled with this a little because of my control issues :). But I came to quickly realize that it would be a lot less stressful if I started trusting that the vendors could do the job I hired them for without me dictating a lot for them. Examples of this are making your entire playlist for your D.J. or laying out every photo that you want your photographer to take. It's the D.J.'s job to read the crowd and play music based on that and your photographer will get a lot of amazing shots if they aren't so worried of making sure that your very specific shot list is fulfilled. I did let my photographer know who needed to be in family portrait shots (which were very short) but besides that we just agreed on a place to go for the pictures and any props that I wanted to use (the thank you umbrella).
-On site Hair/Makeup suggestion
I loved having my hair and makeup done at the hotel so I didn't need to worry about going anywhere. I think this service is probably most useful in the city where it can sometimes be anxiety provoking just to get around and try to be on time. It's probably not necessary for other areas. If you get onsite hair and makeup done, make sure you make time to go back to a different room other then where it's getting done or you may start feeling overwhelmed. All of the BMs hair and makeup and mine were done in my parent's hotel suite. I hung out all day while everyone was getting their services done and then around 2, I started to feel really anxious. One of my BM took me over to her hotel room to just veg out without everyone around and it was REALLY helpful. I hadn't even realize that that was what was causing some of my anxiety.
-DIY Saves A TON of money
I DIY'd my invitations, thank you parasol, table numbers, cake topper, Chicago skyline placecard poster, quilted bags for BM gifts, and wine bottle labels for BP gifts. I promise I really am not a crafty person. Just try to do some of these things and see if it works out the way that you want because in the long run it will really cut down on your budget. Look for DIY instructions in bios, especially though the DIY board. They are very helpful! Oh, and cut coupons from Joanne's and Michaels. They both accept each others coupons and you should never have to pay full price there if you use them.
Don't feel like you have to do every element of your wedding in your theme. This was very true for me but my theme/color scheme was peacock feathers which could be very tacky if it's overdone. I chose the most important elements (to me) to include the actual feathers in which were bouquets, centerpieces, and part of the BM gifts and then just ran more with the color scheme.
-Let your vendors do their job
I struggled with this a little because of my control issues :). But I came to quickly realize that it would be a lot less stressful if I started trusting that the vendors could do the job I hired them for without me dictating a lot for them. Examples of this are making your entire playlist for your D.J. or laying out every photo that you want your photographer to take. It's the D.J.'s job to read the crowd and play music based on that and your photographer will get a lot of amazing shots if they aren't so worried of making sure that your very specific shot list is fulfilled. I did let my photographer know who needed to be in family portrait shots (which were very short) but besides that we just agreed on a place to go for the pictures and any props that I wanted to use (the thank you umbrella).
-On site Hair/Makeup suggestion
I loved having my hair and makeup done at the hotel so I didn't need to worry about going anywhere. I think this service is probably most useful in the city where it can sometimes be anxiety provoking just to get around and try to be on time. It's probably not necessary for other areas. If you get onsite hair and makeup done, make sure you make time to go back to a different room other then where it's getting done or you may start feeling overwhelmed. All of the BMs hair and makeup and mine were done in my parent's hotel suite. I hung out all day while everyone was getting their services done and then around 2, I started to feel really anxious. One of my BM took me over to her hotel room to just veg out without everyone around and it was REALLY helpful. I hadn't even realize that that was what was causing some of my anxiety.
-DIY Saves A TON of money
I DIY'd my invitations, thank you parasol, table numbers, cake topper, Chicago skyline placecard poster, quilted bags for BM gifts, and wine bottle labels for BP gifts. I promise I really am not a crafty person. Just try to do some of these things and see if it works out the way that you want because in the long run it will really cut down on your budget. Look for DIY instructions in bios, especially though the DIY board. They are very helpful! Oh, and cut coupons from Joanne's and Michaels. They both accept each others coupons and you should never have to pay full price there if you use them.
