I came across this in the new issue of Brides Magazine and thought it was something I should share....I especially wanted to share this because if I was personally asked how to solve these "regrets", my answers would be exactly the same. All these "regrets" are things a planner/coordinator would handle or oversee for you. Don't end up like the poor bride in the photo!
Just like these brides, I tried to take on too much on wedding day. My first thought after getting engaged was hiring a planner and/or coordinator, but my husband-to-be talked me out of it. "You can do this, you do it for a living". Eventually I let him convince me not to hire help.....and then on wedding day there I was, standing in the garden, wearing hair curlers and a bathrobe, signing for chairs and directing the ceremony setup....while my 'maids were inside drinking mimosas and getting ready. I missed half the day because I was off somewhere else checking details...that's no way for a bride to spend her special day! Anyway, I can relate, that's why I wanted to share....and on to the article with the "regrets" and the "fixes"!
You can talk to a dozen wedding experts, but there are some things you can learn only from brides who've been there. We asked recently married women to share their wedding mistakes, then came up with smart solutions to make your own day regret free.
The Regret: Being the event planner at your wedding.The Fix: Your focus should be on having a great time, not keeping the seating chart straight. Spring for a day-of coordinator, or appoint someone responsible to be the go-to person should any problems pop up.
The Regret: Neglecting to do a seating chart.The Fix: To avoid a musical-chairs style free-for-all, take the time to plan table assignments. No need to have place cards -- which assign a specific seat to a person -- but letting guests know which table to sit at will eliminate chaos and confusion as the party is getting underway.
The Regret: Spending practically 24 hrs a day for a year planning an 8 hour event.
The Fix: Put things in perspective. There's more to life than debating whether to serve chicken marsala or chicken cordon bleu. Allot no more than an hour a day to planning duties.
The Regret: Going into debt to finance the wedding.The Fix: Chocolate fountains and designer gowns may cause rational thought to fly out the window, but there's no excuse for starting married life in debt. Create a realistic budget and stick to it. First, add up how much you can spend, including parental contributions. Then prioritize, putting the biggest amount toward the elements that you value most -- flowers, photos, menu, whatever. Use a spreadsheet to keep rack of every expense as you start paying vendors.
The Regret: Leaving your wedding famished.The Fix: Plan on eating at least part of the meal -- the hors d'oeuvres may be your best bet, since you can sample them and socialize at the same time. It'll be harder to find time to eat the rest of it; you'll get busier and busier -- dancing, chatting, posing with guests -- as the party progresses.
The Regret: Not booking a professional photographer.The Fix: Find a pro whom you can hire for his minimum amount of time -- usually four hours -- to capture the highlights (ceremony, first dance). You won't end up haunted by badly lit shots or that missed photo with Grandma.
The Regret: Tackling too many DIY projects.The Fix: It's tempting to give in to your creative jones and spend all of your free time with a hot-glue gun and a pair of scissors. Curb your enthusiasm, and pick just a few endeavors that will have the largest impact on your budget (such as invitations) and decor (centerpieces).
-Marina Khidekel
Brides Magazine
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