• Tips & Advice

You've read all the bridal blogs there are to read, downloaded every planning app out there, and have pinned an embarrassing amount of day-of tips. But you can always use more big-day advice before you walk down the aisle - right? Here are six real brides, who’ve “been there, done that,” to shell out some best advice/best-kept secrets for their peers in the process of getting married. In a time when women - as a whole - are becoming sooo much more united and powerful as a posse, it just makes sense that brides would be the most connected/supportive squads out there. From one bride to another, listen up, because you might just read something that literally changes your entire wedding game.

Advice: 

“As an invitation designer and a former bride myself, I am often asked by my brides the “Do’s and Don’ts of Wedding Invitation Etiquette - it comes with the territory! My best advice? Place postage on your RSVP envelopes. It's a simple gesture, that'll help you in getting your RSVPs back on time. While on the note of postage and RSVPs, take a fully assembled invitation suite to the post office for the postmaster to weigh and quote you the accurate amount for postage!” - Ashley Barado, Founder of InvitoBella, married November 5th, 2016

The takeaway: 

Wedding stationery is a big deal; if you want your guests to do you a favor and reply in a timely, responsible manner, then make sure you do them a solid and stamp that RSVP card. Yes, it’s an extra expense, but it’s just something you’ll have to roll into your budget. Without it, your whole invitation assemblage is incomplete!

Advice:

In today’s world, where you can get blueberries from California during a snowstorm in Massachusetts, it’s easy to forget that your flowers are going to look best and last longest when they’re in season. Sure, you can have those peonies shipped in from overseas in January, but your mental state and wallet will thank you for choosing ranunculus for your winter wedding instead.

The takeaway: 

We all have preferences for particular blooms in our normal, everyday lives, so it makes sense that when we become brides, we can get even more entitled about our flower favorites (something about being a bride just automatically makes us drawn to more elusive, expensive florals, definitely something we can thank social media for!). In any case, though, making in-season stem choices is your best route, we promiseeee you.

Advice:

“I advise fellow brides-to-be to select a wedding date on a Friday, during the offseason, or both. In the few months that have passed since my fiancé proposed in September, we have already saved thousands of dollars on our venue and photography and floral arrangement services. Don’t expect vendors to offer these savings up front, but don’t be afraid to ask about it! Simply (and politely!) ask for their weekday and/or off-season rates and you’ll be surprised by the savings.” - Brittany Klutzke, Wedding Date: Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 in Tiburon, CA

The takeaway: 

Saturdays are hardly the gold standard anymore, when it comes to a couple’s special day. Weekday weddings can afford so many savings opportunities, and it NEVER HURTS to ask a vendor if they do offer varied rates. You’ll never know, if you don’t ask, but make sure that when you do, you’re courteous and tactful. Vendors deserve professionalism and appreciation, so instead of coming in and making demands, approach them with questions and ask if there’s any room for negotiation.

Advice:

“Get off of social media. While social media was fundamental in helping me source a makeup artist, hair stylist, event florist, and decorator, I recommend that once brides source the talent needed to bring their wedding vision to life, they stop looking at wedding content. This includes Pinterest, following wedding hashtags and browsing on Instagram. Tap on the three dots located at the upper right corner of your Instagram home screen, and press “See fewer posts like this”. Continuing to ogle over wedding content will only produce a nagging feeling of #FOMO or dissatisfaction and ultimately lead you to overspending. My social media journey always convinced me I needed one more thing for wedding success, so I ended up buying things on Etsy that were not even noticed (or used) in the end.” - Donika Paprika, married December 1st, 2018 in New York City

The takeaway: 

This is pretty huge, and such sound advice, because we are all soooo obsessed with our perfectly-curated Insta worlds. While social media can be a great tool for finding your wedding dream team, it can also be overwhelming and distracting. The whole idea of “FOMO” is just unbearable to think about, when you’re supposed to be getting psyched for your wedding day and the happily-ever-after that follows. Don’t fall into this trap, and take this bride’s advice for deliberately avoiding extra spending/overthinking/etc.

Advice:

“When you’re packing up all of the things that you want to bring with you to the venue for your big day, bring beverages and (non-messy) snacks! You and your bridesmaids are getting together hours before the ceremony to have your hair and makeup done, take pictures, etc. It’s a VERY LONG DAY and everyone gets hungry and thirsty. Bring enough to be able to offer some to the photographer, coordinator, DJ, clergy, etc. Our Rabbi arrived over an hour before the ceremony, and he looked pretty excited when I offered him something to eat.” - Linda Coss married February 24, 2018 in Costa Mesa, California.

The takeaway: 

Food is life. For me, on my wedding day, I nearly passed out twice, because it was an unseasonably warm late September day and I didn’t eat ALL morning/drank too many mimosas without appropriate sopping up with snacks. Definitely have food items - “cute” food that’s not drippy or stainy or bad breath-spiking, and share them with your entourage and vendors. It’s normal to forget to feed everyone, but vendors will be so appreciative of the nourishment!