relaxing and enjoying THE BIG DAY!

That sounds like a silly suggestion, right?! Well, too often on wedding day I see stressed and anxious brides. But, their concerns are only about vendors, details and PLANS. This shouldn’t be happening!

Yesterday I was chatting with one of my upcoming May brides, Elaine, about the final details of her flower collection! To me, this time is so exciting! It takes me back to the time when my wedding was ALMOST HERE! I remember how it felt the weeks leading up to the wedding day – full of excitement to finally marry the love of my life, to wear my fabulous gown, to be together with my closest friends and family and to meet Robby at the end of the aisle on the most planned and organized day of my entire life! But, I also remember being sooooo annoooyed by all the teeny tiny DETAILS! Not that I don’t like details (obviously I do since I plan wedding florals down to the tiniest pieces!) – it just gets a little silly!

When I was the bride because I felt like I was being asked about things that I’d rather be surprised about or let unfold on their own by the amazing team of vendors I’d selected. Like, napkin folds! I really don’t care, just make it look good! I also felt like, if I over-planned it, I would nit pick all those details on the day of the wedding! If I chose a certain napkin fold, and something completely different was done – I’d say to myself “omigosh, they did a pocket fold instead of a fan fold like I asked!” So, at some point I had to say ‘I would rather be surprised’ to any of my vendors that asked me those little teeny tiny nitpicky details that I just didn’t care for! If you hire a team of vendors that you love and trust, and that truly understand your wedding day vision/aesthetic and style, you are in great hands! I knew that no matter what, my day would be gorgeous, fun and full of LOVE!

During our phone conversation, I could sense that Elaine was getting a little tense and over all the tiny details – she had thought about and planned this day for a year and a half, and was ready for the day to just be here already!! I get it!! I was dating Robby for eight years, and engaged for two and a half before we FINALLY got married!! HOWEVER, after our wedding, I experienced a phenomenon I hadn’t been warned about – ‘Post-Wedding Blues’. I compare it to post-partum depression (jokingly of course). There’s so much excitement, so many vendors to talk to, so many things to plan, then BOOM – the day goes by in the blink of an eye (and my ceremony to the finale dessert party was nine hours!) and it’s over!

Just remember to relax and enjoy the day – soak it in!!

…moments like this, where it really set in when we were alone (with our photographer) on the way to the reception, and it hit me that WE’RE FINALLY HUSBAND AND WIFE! It hadn’t really set in when we were doing portraits right after the ceremony.

….and other un-planned, unexpected moments – like your parents dancing together! And moments that require no planning at all, that need to just happen, like your daddy’s GOOD LUCK kiss :D haha! … and your adorable nephew during portraits! Just remember to let it all unfold (hopefully to your general schedule and to your aesthetic liking) and stop to enjoy everything around you instead of paying attention to the time or what you are ‘supposed to be doing’ – it’s your day and the show doesn’t go on with you! If a hiccup happens – it’s all going come out in the wash, and the day will still be forever a huge memory!

Also published on Disney’s Ever After Blog

Vendors

Photographer: Melissa Arlena

Videographer: Starfruit Productions

Wedding Planner: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings (Jamie Betz & Jessica Rawlings)

Cake, Reception Floral, Catering, Linen Rentals, Actors, Pianist, Guitarist: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

Getting Ready Location: Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Ceremony: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort

Reception: Living Seas Salon at Disney’s Epcot

Dessert Party: UK Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot

Gown: Rivini – Rouge  (Jeanette’s Bridal)

MUA/Hair: Rosie with Beaute Speciale

Invitations & Programs, Table Numbers with Bottles: DIY

Guest Book: NFL.com

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bridesmaid Gowns: Red/David’s Bridal, Black & Champagne/BCBG

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: mixture of black suits from their very own closets – with coordinated ties from Men’s Warehouse