After 10 years of working in the wedding industry, I've realized that Jennifer Lopez had a huge role in getting me into this world. If you didn't love The Wedding Planner, stop reading now. Kidding, obviously.
After a decade in the wedding planning whelm, I've decided to take a little break so that I may be fully committed to my career at PUPS. However, I've gathered a lot of knowledge over the last few years. Advice, recommendations, do's + don'ts... I have everything that a bride needs to know before her big day. And I felt like I couldn't formally leave this job without bestowing some wisdom onto you. So here we go!
1. Get a day-of coordinator, or two. Obviously, I'm a little biased here but I promise it's the greatest piece of advice I can give you. Literally, you never know what hiccups you're going to run into on your wedding day. Day-of coordinators silence these hiccups to the point where most couples don't even realize that they happened. Things like wardrobe malfunctions, toddler meltdowns, last-minute errands, miscommunication with vendors, disruptions to the timeline, taking care of the couple's dog (yes, I've done it) or getting an extra dinner plate to the girl who's watching the flower upstairs (yup, I've done that too). When people talk about "wearing different hats" in the workplace, they're talking about day-of coordinators. Our only goal is to help the day go by as flawlessly as possible - even if that means briefly turning into a babysitter, florist, photographer, personal shopper, seamstress or M.C (yup, I've obviously done that too).
2. Hire vendors that fit *your* vision, no one else's. Like most women, I'm sure you've had a Pinterest board planning your wedding day since you were a teenager. But here's the thing, is that chic, black and white, high class, model-esque style really your thing? Or are you more of a bohemian, candid, whimsical, sepia-tone loving (shoutout to Jack Johnson) type of bride? Whatever your vibe may be, make sure you pick photographers, videographers, florists etc. that fit the bill. Same can be said for music! If you want to please your wide variety of guests with classic, timeless, singalong songs, hire a DJ! But if you want to tear up the dance floor, maybe go with a live band. Just be sure to do your research and follow your gut when it comes to vendors. This is YOUR day, make sure it feels like you!
3. Integrate some some personal touches throughout the day: Again, this is YOUR day. You and your spouse should have a hand in planning everything, including the little personal touches in decor, menu selection, song choices etc. Some of my favorite individualized moments include vinyl records that serve as table numbers, two disco ball towers at the end of the aisle, a second dress for the bride to dance in or a late night menu that honors the couple's favorite guilty pleasure food (extra points if it's burgers, pizza or donuts). I recently worked a wedding that incorporated a lot of the couple's Italian heritage like giving out 5 almonds to each guest which signify health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. Plus, they read their vows in Italian which was arguably the best part of the night. These little things are what will make your wedding even more special.
4. Make sure everyone in the bridal party feels comfortable and confident. As much as it's your big day with your spouse, it's also a huge day for your loved ones in the bridal party. So do them a solid by making them feel great throughout the day. I mean this specifically in reference to wardrobe. There's nothing I love more than the "semi mismatched" trend in bridal parties. Groomsmen and bridesmaids coordinating while still showing off their own style makes me vey happy. Opt for the gentleman to wear different shades of grey suits or have the bridesmaids in different variations of the same dress. That way, everyone feels good in their own skin on this important day. Extra tip: have everyone wearing comfortable shoes - your bridal party (especially their feet) will thank you for being so considerate.
5. Keep a few things secret! I obviously love it when the groom doesn't see his bride's dress until the day of. The look of relief and admiration he has when he finally sees his girl in a stunning gown is my favorite moment of each wedding. But I love the other little surprises too! Like when the Father of the Bride and/or Mother of the Groom don't know what song they're dancing to until they get onto the dance floor. Or the fact that my best friend didn't tell me that there would be Bailey's served in a chocolate shot glass on her big day. These little secrets are such a nice surprise and it really shows that you went the extra mile for each one of your guests. Other things to consider - goofy party favors, a sparkler exit or a photo booth with obnoxious props.
6. Have intimate moments for just the two of you. Arguably, the most important tip I could give which is why I saved it for last. And it's important for two reasons. One being, that you will forget to hydrate and feed yourself on your wedding day. It happens to every couple I've ever worked with. And we don't want anyone passing out while walking down the aisle. So take a second to step away from the crowd, take a deep breath and get some sustenance. Secondly, believe me, you will get tired, anxious and/or overwhelmed as the day goes on. Having all eyes on you at all times and feeling the need to entertain is going to get exhausting. Plus, most girls start getting ready at 6am when the party itself goes on well after midnight. Please take a minute to focus on just the two of you. Whether that means an intimate first look, exchanging vows in private or sharing the final dance of the night with no one else in the room. Trust me, this is a necessity. And they're the little moments that you and your partner will want to live in forever.
That's all I have for now! You can thank Jennifer Lopez & 10 years of working for various wedding companies for helping me gather all of this helpful information.
And it wouldn't be a Kate Quill blog post if I didn't post a few pictures from my favorite experiences over the years. Most of these are taken at various venues in the Chicagoland Area while working for Amelia Cole. Let me know if you have any questions or want any other nuggets of advice.
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