Real Brides Share Their Wedding Day Advice
Who better to give you wedding day advice, than someone who has recently gone through the whole process of planning and living out their Big Day! And I don’t mean, like last month or last year. A real bride who has had a few years to look back at some things she absolutely loved about her wedding and some things she might have done different. First, let’s meet the ladies I interviewed:
Mallory Sauls Parker
Mallory and Drew Parker were wed on June 25, 2016 in GA with an outdoor wedding ceremony and barn wedding reception
Cristena Lang Parker
Cristena married Matthew Parker on June 9, 2012 in Nashville, TN at Scarritt Bennett Chapel
Lauren Parker Martin
Lauren and Ryan Martin were married on October 8, 2016 at L&L Farm
Now that you’ve gotten to meet these lovely ladies (lots of Parkers, huh), lets see how they answered the same four questions. So let’s dive right in to see their wedding day advice for any of YOU who might be planning for your Big Day.
1. Is there anything you would do different for your wedding day?
Mallory:
“Getting ready earlier would have allowed me to take more pictures before the wedding. Start your day earlier. Also, having over 350 people at our wedding was a LOT! I think I would decrease that number by about 100 for a smaller wedding. It was so hard to speak to everyone that attended.”
Cristena:
“We wish we would have set some of the gift money aside in a special account to be used for future getaways. We also wished we would have hired a videographer to record interviews with our parents, wedding party, friends, and family. How special it would be to look back on the messages and love sent from the people who celebrated the day with us.”
Lauren:
“First of all, I wish we had spent more time looking into videographers. I picked ours based on a trailer video I had seen on someone’s Facebook post and had actually attended that wedding. I had never met with the videographer prior and discussed what I really wanted. Second, speeches for the reception should be discussed upfront. It doesn’t have to be open mic night. The mix of alcohol, long term emotions, and other dynamics can be confusing to your guests. Make sure its sweet and simple.”
2. What first comes to mind that made your wedding memorable/special?
Mallory:
“My husband wrote me a letter to read every hour leading up to the time that I walked down the aisle. He also cried and could hardly compose himself once I did. Both are such sweet memories that I will never forget. Also, it was amazing to see how all of our family and friends came together to make our day so wonderful. They worked so hard to make sure it was exactly what we wanted. We felt so blessed and loved by so many people.”
Cristena:
“I loved getting to see my husband before the ceremony! It saved us the jitters of everyone watching me walk down the aisle and his reaction to seeing me in my dress for the first time. It definitely helped me relax before the ceremony began. We did not have a reception with alcohol. After the wedding, the bridal party picked us up in a limo at our hotel to celebrate.”
Lauren:
“Spending time with family and friends. It was so amazing to see everyone in our lives come together in one place to support us. Also have to mention dancing under the stars with everyone and laughing the night away was the perfect ending to our reception.”
3. What picture/pose do you wish your photographer had taken?
Mallory:
“For my something old and borrowed, my dad gave me a small green ribbon that he wore at his dad’s funeral. On my wedding day, I had attached it to my bouquet. My photographer got pictures of my bouquet, but didn’t get a picture of the actual ribbon.”
Cristena:
“I wish we would have had more pictures taken of all the groomsmen and bridesmaids getting ready to capture all of their personalities together.”
Lauren:
“I wish I had more pictures of my bridesmaids getting ready in the farmhouse and more pictures of the bridal party in the barn. Take the advice to make a list of all the pictures/shots you want and give it to your photographer before your wedding day.”
4. Any other wedding day advice you would give someone getting married?
Mallory:
“Skip the first look. There is something so special, emotional, and raw about the groom seeing you for the first time when you walk down the aisle. Everyone says it, but don’t sweat the small stuff. The day goes by SO quickly and it just isn’t worth it to get stressed out. Take in every second!”
Cristena:
“The very things you stress about on your wedding day will be the most memorable things you will laugh at down the road. Enjoy every moment because it is over so quickly.”
Lauren:
“Relax, have fun, and enjoy every moment.”
Well there you have it, wedding day advice straight from the horse’s mouth (as my mom would say). Most brides to be are planning for a wedding for the first time. I get it…. you’ve got questions and I want to help. If this resonates with you, I hope you will check out some of my other blog posts for more wedding planning, trends, and decor advice. As always, don’t hesitate to Contact me – I would love to help you!
Photography credits for
Mallory Parker’s wedding Christy Stowe Photography
Cristena Parker’s wedding Rob Watts
Lauren Martin’s wedding Kim Hargrove