The TOP 10 things I wish I know when I got engaged….

Guest Post from one of our favorite Brides and clients, Kelsey

1.) Planner first.

Here are my top 10 things I wish I knew when I got engaged… Being a perfectionist, and also having a difficult time asking for help, it was easy to fall into the trap of “I got this!” My hubby to be and I carefully sorted through budget, guest list, vendor selection, etc. We even reached a point where we did not think we needed a planner! When we finally gave in and hired the extra hands a month before our wedding day, we agreed it was money well spent. We even agree it was our best choice (aside from each other!) in our journey to the altar.

I wish we would have known how truly essential a wedding planner is. They are the true professionals, and ensure you take your place on center stage enjoying engaged and wedding day life, while they manage all the backstage details. They have the best guidance on budget creation, management, vision curation, vendor selection, and day of flow. Which brings me to my next point…

2.) Your budget is everything.

After you heed my warning and hire a planner right after your finger dons a sparkly new friend, sit down with your spouse-to-be and planner to create your wedding budget. You can chat through what is most important to you. In some cases, this can be photos and florals. In others, it can be food and beverage. No matter where your hearts lie, your planner will be able to ride the budget waves with you and allot the perfect amount of spending towards each asset of your wedding day–all while staying inside the very thought out number of comfort.

3.) Heavy hands make light work.

Aside from your planner, there are so many other people who want to help you in your walk toward marital bliss. This can be your bridal party, a parent, an aunt, etc. No matter the source, if it is someone you trust, and they offer to help, let them! Be it stamping wedding invitation envelopes with you, helping you pick the perfect wedding day lingerie, or even ordering lunch on the big day, ask for and accept the extra loving hands. You need them!

4.) Prepare yourself for opinions.

Phew. This one was a doozy! Just as you receive so many offers for help, you will also receive endless opinions and unsolicited advice. Prepare yourself to be ready for this, and don’t be afraid to kindly listen to the advice, but stick to your preference any ways. Your grandmother’s sister means well, but her opinion on your wedding day hairstyle should not overrule or overpower your own vision. It is YOUR day!

5.) You have less time than you think.

Ah! I don’t mean to scare you here, but being engaged for eleven months, there were a lot of things I put off “for later”. This included things like ordering my bridesmaids getting ready robes, picking out wedding day shoes with my now husband, and finding the perfect undergarments to compliment the work my seamstress did on my wedding gown. When it came down to it, I had to rush through all of these decisions, making the two months before my wedding a lot more stressful than they needed to be. Point being? When you have a moment, use it. When you find the robes you love, even if your wedding is not for another year or two, scoop them up! Your future bridal self will glow for it. Trust me.

6.) There will be hiccups.

Of the 10 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Engaged, number 6 is a biggy!  Merging two families into one is a beautiful and exciting thing. But with that, there can come some heightened emotions and cause for hiccups. We had a miscommunication with one side of the family on the seating chart. Had we known this before the wedding day, it would have resolved a big hiccup on the day of. But as we are all human, things are not always perfect, so the hiccup appeared on our wedding day. Along with it, we discovered our venue forgot to put the ice cream we special ordered in their freezer, and they overbooked our wedding suite.

The good news? My now husband and I expected hiccups just like this. Through it all? We gave each other a squeeze, shared a marital margarita, and laughed through the crazy. Being prepared for the bumps on your wedding day ultimately prepare you for married life as a whole. It gets you into the habit of leaning on one another and truly operating as one unit. Hiccups will happen, wedding day and beyond, but you two are arm in arm and ready!

7.) Your wedding website is your haven.

Your hands are already so wonderfully full while you plan your wedding. And while you are checking off those to-dos? Be sure to plug in all essential information into your wedding website. This can include times, addresses, accommodation recommendation, and even transportation information. Having this site and placing it on your save the dates will combat a sea of text messages and phone calls from loved ones needing to be in the know.

8.) Your wedding photographer is your safe place.

Aside from your wedding planner, your wedding photographer is a true respite. (Even better when your wedding planner and your wedding photographer are the same unit!) Thankfully, my thoughtful and detailed husband hired ours for the night he proposed. I am so glad he did, as having Kelly with us during such a special night formed such a lasting bond. From there, it was a no-brainer to book her for our best day. She kindly included a complimentary engagement session for us, allowing us to get even closer and feel more comfortable working together.

Kelly and her team being such a trusted source and friend to us brought endless peace throughout our engagement chapter. She got to know our style, our likes and dislikes, and even our family dynamics. She even got to know that when I get too excited, my hands can splay out a bit less bridal and a bit more Florida gecko. Kelly coached us through each session, and the moments in between, so we felt comfortable and free to be ourselves while being photographed during the most amazing moments of our lives.

9.) Wear the earrings.

Go with your gut. Always. I regret not doing this on certain things for my big day. Yes, including my selection of earrings! I wish I had gone with my gut and ordered the fun, tassled ones I lusted after, instead of being swayed by society, opinions, and traditional bridal looks.

Do you prefer brownies over a cake? Do you picture yourself barefoot rather than in strappy heels? Go for it. Truly. You won’t regret it!

10.) And yes…everything will turn out beautifully.

You are marrying your very best friend, surrounded by those you all love the very most. If the ice cream melts, if the rain falls, guess what? You will still rest your head on a pillow that night married. What can be more beautiful than that?

 

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Check out more of this beautiful engagement session on Instagram or in our portfolio link.

Planning your own Engagement Session, send us a message! We’d love to create some beautiful memories with you.

 

 

 

 

Written by Social Curator: Kelsey Pfleiderer