Well, I'm always full of advice, so I have no idea how I'd ever put it all in one post, but here's a bit as I look back through my wedding pictures.
1. Look like you, only better.
2. Spend the day with people you love. Not just the ceremony and reception, but all the getting-ready parts, brunch, whatever. All of it.
3. Wear comfortable things from the skin out, from head to toe. And the only way to know things are comfortable is by doing trial wearings of everything, for a whole day, on a day that has a climate much like you expect your wedding day to have. Of course, you can't wear your wedding gown all day, but everything else--undergarments, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup--do a test run. If you can feel it in any negative way by the end of the day, find a substitute for it on your wedding day. Because you'll feel everything more that day.
4. Love everything about that dress. The way it feels, the way it looks, the way it hangs, the price you paid, the place you bought it, and the person who altered it.
5. Love your shoes. If you want to wear slippers, wear slippers. If you want to wear sneakers, wear sneakers. If you want to wear red shoes, wear red shoes. If you want to wear heels wear them. Love your shoes.
6. Before your wedding day gets here, pack a bag of things to take to the ceremony and reception. Don't wait till the wedding day, even if you'll have time. Your hair will frizz and your makeup will spoil.
7. Put someone in charge of pinning on corsages and boutonnieres if your florist can't do it.
8. Enjoy every minute.
9. Hire a great photographer to capture you enjoying those minutes.
10. Carry a hanky.
11. Love the ones you're with.
12. Turn off your cell phone before you go into the ceremony.
13. Reserve a parking space outside the ceremony for whomever is dropping you off, if you need one.
14. Before you begin your processional, pause and look at everyone gathered to celebrate and witness your union.
15. Before you begin your processional, lock eyes with your husband-to-be, and don't let go.
16. When the unexpected happens, and it will, laugh. Smile. Roll with it. It's a party, all for you, and no one wants to see you unhappy. No matter what, never let anyone see you sad, pouty, angry, or hurt. It shouldn't require any effort at all, if you're focused on what matters. :)
17. Listen to the vows you're making.
18. Enjoy the trembling, the crying, the laughter, whatever comes out. Everyone else will, too.
19. Hire a coordinator to take the details off your plate.
20. Let your friends help. They will.
21. Embrace the spontaneity of children. Hire child-care help if you can.
22. Kiss with joy.
23. Run into the arms of your new family.
24. Thank your vendors like they're the most welcome guests there--they are among them.
25. Spend time with every person there. If you can't, you've invited too many people.
26. Eat, drink, and dance. In whatever proportions you like best.
27. Choose vendors you like and whose work you trust, then let them do their jobs. Remember: *your* job is to be the bride. You wouldn't want them doing that, would you? ;)
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