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Newlyweds and other wedding veterans share advice about how they'd plan their weddings if they knew then what they know now. Is there something you'd do/redo? Submit your own advice.

 

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I'd Redo
Being the second time around, we (the bride & groom) paid for everything. We thought we'd be thrifty by having a friend who was in the restaurant business, cater the reception. He called the morning of the wedding with a hangover and said he wouldn't be there. My groom was very persuasive and he did finally show, but the money saved did not come close to being worth the stress created on our special day! If you use friends or relatives for any of your services, please make sure they are as concerned about your special day as you are, otherwise you could be hit with some very unwelcomed surprises!
Posted By: JW, married March 24, 2001
2004-01-23 3:49 PM

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I'd Do
Look for the out of the way venue. Check with friends & family for the unusual spots. We held our wedding at an enormous estate owned by a friend of a friend of a friend. We were given use of their 2500 sq. ft. pool area and 7000 sq. ft. (not a typo) guest house for $600 from Friday to Sunday! It was perfect! We held the rehearsal, wedding, reception and even spent our wedding night there! It cut venue budget down from $5000 to $600 and gave us plenty left over for the extra special things we thought we'd do without. Also, even if you don't think you're crafty. Try making some of the items (time permitting). I made bouquets, boutineers and centerpieces that saved us a bundle! Sometimes it was frustrating, but it really made the entire day just that much more special! Best of Luck!
Posted By: JW, married March 24, 2001
2004-01-23 3:49 PM

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I'd Do
My fiance and I decided on a wedding date and some preliminary details before we got engaged so that our families and close friends had a heads up of what was to come. Deciding this together probably calmed his nerves about the proposal because he knew I'd say yes. I think I would have kept it more of a secret though - too many people found out. The wedding is in 7 months.
Posted By: Jenna, married August 21, 2004
2004-01-22 10:49 PM

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I'd Do
I am so happy that we are using our family in our wedding party.They are honored and it means alot to us to be able to have our loved ones standing beside us. We have also saved money by asking 2 of my talented co-workers to make our cake and take pictures.Also we(I)LOL have enjoyed having plenty of time to be able to plan our beautiful day!!!
Posted By: april, married August 28, 2004
2003-12-29 8:29 PM

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I'd Do
Plan early! A few days after getting engaged, I bought a really good planning book and started planning. I had 10 months to go and all of the major things were already done. I felt confident dealing with things I knew I couldn't control as easily like the fact that my whole family had to come in from out-of-state or that my fiance was deployed with the Army until 6 months before the wedding. By the time he got home, all we had to do was have things engraved, pick out the tuxes, and do the dress fittings.
Posted By: Amy M, married September 25, 2004
2003-12-08 10:37 PM

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I'd Redo
At 39 and 46 years of age, most of our friends are either married or would rather remain single. So we presented the garter and bouquet each to a dear and single friend of ours rather than toss them - Lynnette, the lady who recieved the bouquet cried... And our guests appreciated our consideration of them and their position on marriage. I would definitely redo this aspect of my wedding again!
Posted By: Susan Jeanne Wilder, married September 6, 2003
2003-11-23 7:17 PM

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I'd Do
I've been to too many weddings lately when it is time for the bride to throw the bouquet and decide the next to be married, the bouquet ends up being caught by an 8 year old, this also happens with the garter. I first thought that I would announce only a certain age (like 15 and older) come out for the toss. The more I thought about it there will be many little girls at my wedding who enjoy this tradition, so I have decided to hold 2 tosses. I hope this can satisfy the single girls and the little girls.
Posted By: micki, married September 30, 2005
2003-11-14 11:03 PM

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I'd Redo
This will be my second wedding, I learned a lot of things from my first. I will definetly be more opinionated this time. My last wedding, I was so worried about the family being happy I forgot that it was my wedding.
Posted By: Holli, married January 14, 2004
2003-11-05 7:43 PM

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I'd Redo
I would definitely change our first dance song. I love the original song but there was another one that I wish I had chosen. I waited until the last minute so I couldn't change it. Everytime I hear it, I regret not using it.
Posted By: Shenitha, married October 11, 2003
2003-10-17 4:16 PM

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I'd Redo
I'd spend less time dancing and more time visiting with all of my guests. Everytime I tried to step off the dance floor, someone pulled me back on... and it never occurred to me to say "no" even though I didn't really want to be dancing. I feel like my entire reception went by while I was on the dance floor.
Posted By: Elizabeth, married September 28, 2003
2003-10-14 8:34 PM

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