Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting and overwhelming parts of a bride's life. From finding the perfect dress to organizing every last detail, there's so much to do. But who better to offer advice than those who have already been through it all? Here, we've collected 30 invaluable tips from THE WED brides, those who have been through the ups and downs of wedding planning and are keen to share their own hard-earned wisdom. These first-hand tips cover everything from dealing with pre-wedding stress to making the most of your big day so you're prepared, relaxed and able to enjoy every magical moment. Whether you're meer months away from your wedding or only just embarking on the planning process, these tips will help you plan and enjoy the wedding of your dreams.
For The Planning Process
Trust Your Planner
“Find a planner & designer who truly understands what you’re wanting and let them guide you through the process,” says bride Mallory. We totally agree! With so many details to manage, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but this is where your planner shines. A good wedding planner not only handles logistics but also brings experience, ensuring everything runs smoothly. By trusting them, you free yourself to enjoy the process rather than stress over every decision.
Keep an Open Dialogue with Your Partner
During the planning process, you and your partner are the most important part. Make time to regularly check in with each other, discuss your expectations, and voice any concerns. Bride Khanh agrees with this and reveals this advice through her personal experience, “Communication is key. Both will feel pressure and stress, there will be small and subtle things that you feel aren't necessary to talk about, but when more important things come up you should be open to talk.”
Huy Vu Le , Đức Thành Đào , Vân Anh
Enjoy Being a Bride
It's not every day you get to be a bride, so enjoy every second of it. Bride Katie even fantasized about having such a dream job, “Romanticize it. I would be a professional bride if that were a career path. All of the fun new beauty appointments, creative and design projects, trips and events with friends. The memories we created the year leading up to our wedding are all the “wedding” for me, and it was the best time of my life.”
Avoid Overthinking the Small Details
This is probably the most frequent advice you'll hear from someone who has been a bride before, and for good reason! “Be to care way less about the aesthetic choices you need to make. There’s a high chance you can’t remember what the table plan design looked like, or what type of chairs you sat on at other weddings you’ve been to – so don’t waste energy sweating stuff like that. It’s very easy to get caught up in the details that go unnoticed. Spend time ensuring the energy is right, and that you’re in the best position to enjoy yourselves,” bride Rosie highlights the importance of emotions and experiences over small details that can take you away from the most significant things about your special day.
Choose Your Personal Priorities
Try not to stress about everything at once when planning a wedding, chances are you won't be able to cover all the workload or you'll be very tired before the wedding itself. Brides Kenya and Jeannie give valuable advice on setting priorities first, “Decide what three elements of your wedding are the most important to you and put time and energy and money into those things. Maybe it’s the dress and outfits, maybe it’s the food, maybe it’s the DJ or the photographer! You know what you value – what is really important to you.”
Stay True to Yourself
“Just do what you want to do! It’s great to include people in the process and is so fun. But when it comes down to it, just stick with what you love. If you love everything you do or choose for the day, it will really reflect you as a couple and you’ll be so happy looking back,” bride Jessica puts it accurately. With input coming from all directions – family, friends, and even social media – it can be easy to get swept up in what others think your day should look like. Remember, this is your wedding, and it should reflect your unique style and personality.
Start As Early As You Can
You've probably heard this advice often from both vendors and real brides, and they certainly don't lie – the earlier you start, the better. Bride Kristina gives more specific advice on timing based on her experience, “Start your planning early. We started 9 months prior, which was sufficient but ideally, I would recommend at least a year. Being organized is crucial – having your vendors lined up and keeping detailed spreadsheets can make a big difference.”
Give Yourself a Few Weeks Off
A tip that follows on from the previous one. Try to make a couple of weeks before the wedding week itself free for you. That way, on your special day you won't be too exhausted from the planning process. Brides Kayla and Rose also made this point very clear, “Try to be as organised as possible about 2-3 weeks out. This will make the week before a little less stressful.”
Don't Be Afraid to Depart from Traditions
“Weddings – and a lot of the traditions that come with them – aren’t absolutely mandatory but if you choose to have one, remember that it’s an event for yourselves as much as your loved ones,” bride Kathleen makes a very thoughtful point. Don't want a first dance? Don't feel like a huge wedding cake is for you? It's not at all necessary to fit into the norm, after all, your wedding should reflect the personalities and vision of you and your partner, and definitely doesn't have to meet the standards.
Define your Vision
Before diving into wedding planning, take time to define your vision for the big day. Think about the atmosphere, style, and key moments you want to create – that’s what the bride Kelsey remarks in her advice, “Spend some time before booking your venue to land on your overall vision for the day, focusing on how you want it to feel before landing on what you want it to look like. I found that refining the vision was grounding throughout the process when it came to seeking the right vendors and choosing design elements.”
David Bastianoni Studio, Alessia Franco
Choose Like-Minded People to Be Your Vendors
“Trust your intuition when selecting vendors for your event. If something feels off, it likely is. Take the time to explore their websites and social media profiles, ensure their style and aesthetics align with yours,” says bride Anastasia. Your vendors – whether it's the photographer, florist, or caterer – play a big role in bringing your dream to life. Take time to meet with them, ask questions, and ensure they truly get your style and preferences. When you work with professionals who are aligned with your ideas and values, it creates a seamless partnership, making the planning process smoother and ensuring your wedding day reflects exactly what you’ve envisioned.
Find Your Perfect Photographer
Experienced bride Jessica was very correct in focusing on one particular aspect, “The photographer you choose is going to be so important! We loved and trusted our photographer, and they really helped us capture those special moments throughout the night.” A great photographer not only has technical skills but also a keen eye for detail and a knack for making you feel comfortable. By choosing someone who understands your preferences and can capture the essence of your celebration, you'll ensure your wedding memories are beautifully preserved.
Allocate Resources According to Your Wishes
Bride Lydia shares her experience with budgeting and encourages you to prioritize core values during the planning, “We opted to not hire a videographer, didn’t do a guestbook or guest gifts, no photobooth, and kept it pretty simple for invitations. It allowed us to focus our energy and budget on things that were of higher priority to us like the rental house, hosting a welcome party, amazing food, and more.”
Test Your Beauty Look Beforehand
“It's a good idea to have a trial for makeup and hair with your wedding dress before the actual wedding day,” says bride Anastasia, and we couldn’t agree more! This helps you ensure everything looks and feels the way you want it to, and gives you time to make any adjustments. It's also a chance to see how your makeup holds up throughout the day or how comfortable your hairstyle is.
Sarah Tonkin , Auburn Hour Films
Choose Comfortable Footwear
It may not be the most obvious advice, but bride Oxana's experience highlights the importance of comfortable wedding shoes that won't get in the way of you enjoying your special day, “Choosing beautiful but comfortable wedding shoes is often more difficult than everything else. Especially if your venue is in the garden, there are stones or it is a wooden pier. Take more time to find the perfect couple!”
Be Ready for Alterations
Rest assured, your day will be absolutely magical. Embrace any changes that come your way with grace, knowing that they are a natural part of the journey and part of what makes your celebration uniquely yours. Trust that everything will unfold just as it’s meant to, and focus on enjoying the moment. “Be prepared for changes. I always got so stressed anytime a vision or idea had to be changed. I realized on that day everything was so perfect. It all happens for a reason and the decor and design ended up being better than I could have ever imagined,” points out bride Jordan.
For On The Day
Seize the Day
Carpe diem, or seize the day! “At the end of the day, no one will notice if something is missing or doesn’t go according to plan. Everyone is there to celebrate with you and show their love and support,” bride Mallory notes the importance of enjoying the moment even if there are changes or unpleasant situations. Take everything with gratitude or even humor! Pause and dive into your special day, after all, it's only one of a kind.
Be the Life of Your Party
Who if not you and your partner set the cheerful mood of the whole event? “Someone said to us beforehand that ‘the bride and groom set the tone’ and it’s so true. If you’re both happy, relaxed and loving every minute – your guests will too. If you’re the first on the dancefloor – your guests will be there with you,” very accurately points out bride Rosie.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
“Don’t let wedding details that don’t go your way stop you from enjoying everything you worked so hard to build!” bride Liat’s invaluable advice reminds us that setbacks on your wedding day are natural, but don’t let them dampen your spirit. Instead of focusing on the challenges, channel your energy into fostering a joyful and uplifting atmosphere for yourself, your partner, and your loved ones. Embrace the day with positivity and let your radiant joy set the tone for a truly memorable celebration.
Involve Your Guests in the Day's Activities
“At the last minute, we handed out four film cameras to our guests. Seeing those candid shots developed and the vibrant atmosphere within our reception was priceless,” as bride Monique reflects on her wedding day, she offers a wonderful insight: whenever possible, involve your guests in crafting the unique ambiance of the celebration and in creating shared memories. Their participation not only enhances the magic of the day but also deepens the bonds you share with those who are most important to you.
Have an On-The-Day Coordinator
“I definitely recommend having someone on board at least for the wedding day who is across all your vendors and logistics so you can focus on relaxing and connecting with your loved ones,” says bride Grace. Hiring an on-the-day coordinator can really be a game-changer for your wedding. This professional ensures that all the details you’ve meticulously planned come together seamlessly on the big day. From managing the timeline and coordinating with vendors to handling unexpected issues, an on-the-day coordinator allows you to fully enjoy your celebration without any stress.
Take Your Time to Rest
Allow yourself moments to relax and recharge, both in the days leading up to the wedding and during the event itself. “I didn’t put any pressure on myself to speak to all our guests, and rather said, I’ll see you on the dancefloor. I also took several moments where I whisked away with my bridesmaids to touch up my make-up, refresh myself and those 5 minutes here and there gave me some time to breathe,” says bride Alicia as she recalls her special day.
Have a Moment with Your Partner
“I highly recommend scheduling some alone time for you and your partner in your runsheet. We did this, and it allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the moment and cherish the fact that we are now married!” says bride Georgia, and we couldn't agree more! Whether it’s a private walk after the ceremony, a quiet conversation in the morning, or simply a shared glance, these moments of connection will help you both ground yourselves in the joy and love. They provide a beautiful pause from the celebration and allow you to cherish the wedding intimacy before diving back into the festivities.
Feel your Loved Ones
Try to connect with your guests and partner throughout your wedding day. While it’s natural to be caught up in the excitement, taking time to engage with your loved ones will make them feel valued and appreciated. The bride Stephanie also noticed the significance of this aspect, “When you’re at the altar, making a speech or at the reception, be sure to take everyone’s faces and expressions in, especially your partners because those moments will be the most precious of them all.”
Tune In to Positive Emotions
“Before the wedding, choose 3 words for how you want to feel on your day, and make every planning decision an extension of that intention. Ours were joyful, calm, and present,” such wonderful advice was given by the bride Angie. Indeed, try not to worry or think about problems or possible changes. Determine beforehand how you want to feel on your special day and immediately tune in to the wave of positivity.
Merve Togan , Petter Karlstrom
For Post-Wedding
Plan a Mini-Moon
“If you aren’t doing a honeymoon, plan a mini-moon. It can be simple and itinerary-less, but for those 4–5 days after the wedding, we didn’t want to do anything but sit on a beach chair and replay every single moment in detail,” says bride Katie. A mini-moon, a shorter and more relaxed honeymoon, allows you to unwind and enjoy some quality time together without the stress of travel or the expense of a longer trip. It’s the perfect way to bask in the afterglow of your wedding while taking a breather before diving into everyday life.
Enjoy the Post-Wedding Feel
Savor the post-wedding glow with your partner by taking time to truly enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the day. After the whirlwind of the wedding, find moments to relax together, share your favorite memories, and relish the joy of being newlyweds. “The wave of love we felt and continue to feel after the wedding has been incredible. People always told us that your wedding is one of the happiest days of your life and it seemed like an exaggeration to us. In the end they were right, so enjoy the feeling,” pointed out bride Leire.
Get Excited For the Wedding Photos
Anticipating your wedding photos can be a delightful part of the post-wedding experience. As you await the arrival of these cherished memories, embrace the excitement of reliving your special day through the photographer's lens. “Get excited for the photos because it’s going to be so fun to look back at the day!” bride Jessica assures you, and we support it!
Don’t Go Straight Back to the Routine
“Be sure to give yourself some time to relax and reflect before returning to work and everyday life. Being a destination wedding, we were around friends and family for several days before and after the celebration, which was absolutely incredible, but it wasn’t until we hopped on the plane to our honeymoon in Europe that we really had a chance to recap and reminisce on the magic of the past few days,” bride Elle highlights the importance of savoring post-wedding feelings.
Imprint the Wedding Into Your Memory
Remembering the joy, love, and special moments will help you cherish your wedding day more deeply. It’s natural for things not to go perfectly, but by concentrating on the beautiful memories and the love shared, you’ll create a more meaningful and lasting impression. “Our wedding now lives in stunning photographs and film, but we also found it important to protect how it lives in our memory, too. Alex and I intentionally try to focus on everything that was so incredible about our wedding day instead of the very few things here or there that were out of our control,” says bride Katie.
