10 things no one tells you about planning your own wedding

So, we've been married about 2 months and I still can't believe it. Time goes by so fast when you're having fun. 

But, there are so many things I wish someone would've told me about planning the wedding myself. I always wondered why people don't tell you these things but I guess some things you just have to learn on your own. 

10. Some ideas are better left on Pinterest. OK, Let's face it. Planning a wedding seems nearly impossible without Pinterest these days. There are SO many good ideas. So many, that you're going to want to do them all. If you do that and they're all DIY, you're not going to accomplish it all unless you have tons of help. Pick and choose what you like best.   

9. There's way more details than you can imagine. I remember thinking "I have all my vendors booked, I'm done." Ha, yeah right! Timing, stamps, wording for your ceremony and invitations, even when you think you're done, you're not. 

8. You're going to get overwhelmed. At some point, you're going to look at your to-do list and want to cry. I think I was 2 weeks out before I made a full list of all the things I had to do. Ummmm, why didn't anyone tell me to do this sooner? I had this wedding planning book with a whole list of things to do. It should come with a second list titled "All the things we forgot to tell you in list one."

7. Hire a wedding planner/coordinator. Here's the thing. I was 100% against this and just wanted to appease my mom. I figured it was a waste of money and I could do everything myself. Ok mom, yes you were right again. Of all the things we spent money on, this was the purchase that was worth every single penny and then some. I hired a day of coordinator, just to make sure everything went smooth. I really have no idea how the day would've happened without her and frankly, I don't want to think about that disaster. My mom and I were so relaxed because she took care of everything. This will be your best purchase, I promise. Thanks Emily!!

6. Delegate. From day 1 to the wedding day, don't hesitate to delegate. I was really bad at this. Thank goodness for my mom. But, she's not good at delegating either. Your friends and family are there for you, utilize them. Oh, and make sure you ask someone to keep your drink full :) Thanks brother!

5. Your wedding dress appointment(s) isn't going to be like 'Say Yes to the Dress' (most likely). I had this all in my head like it was going to be just like this tv show. I had so many emotions that I wish I could go back and do it over. Finding a wedding dress was really the first thing I did besides choosing a venue. So many thoughts are racing through your head, is this it? Why am I not crying? Does that mean it isn't it? So many brides feel this way but no one tells them it's ok to feel this way! WHY??? 

4. You have no idea what order to do things and what's more important. You find all these "checklists" online and you think it'll be so easy just to follow one. Sure, it's easy but it's not perfect. Every bride is different and every wedding is different. Make sure you add/subtract from those typical checklists. 

3. Your vendors will ask you questions you don't know how to answer. From times to small details, you're going to read these emails and be so confused. I remember going to a florist and they started asking all of these questions that I had no answers to. All I knew was I had 3 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen and I wanted pretty centerpieces. Isn't that specific enough? Be honest with your vendors, if you don't know, tell me. Ask for their advice. Send them pictures of what you like and your budget. They'll be helpful!

2. The day will feel like the quickest dream you've ever had. EVERYONE will tell you, it will go by so fast. EVERYONE. But, you won't listen. Embrace every moment. Look at all the details. You worked too hard for this day! 

1. Don't sweat the small stuff. Your flowers aren't the exact shade of purple you wanted, the cake is hideous, you're running 30 minutes behind. Guess what?? No one will notice and you're the only person who cares. Shrug it off and have the time of your life!! You're going to run into roadblocks while planning, too. Move on. You won't even remember what your original idea was come the day of. We had our dream wedding venue back down and had to settle for something else. Guess what? It was the best thing that could've happened. Our wedding was beautiful, if not better at the new venue!  

 

The day we finally said "I do"

I said I wouldn't cry. I said it would be easy. I said it would hurricane.

Yes, I, in fact, said all of these things about my wedding day. Not one of them came true.

Dress from Bella's Bridal in Birmingham

Vincent proposed on March 16, 2013. We spent the next 17 months planning our wedding. At the time of our October 04, 2014 wedding, we had been together 7 1/2 years. To me, there was nothing left to be said.. or so I thought. 

There's a lot that happened in those 17 months but I'm going to fast forward to our wedding day. I'm sure I'll get back to those other details at some point.

I woke up around 7a.m. that Saturday. My beautiful hotel room and a smile plastered on my face. And... I horrendous cough. (Lovely, right?) Then, I heard the rain hit the glass. Ugh, it was going to hurricane on my wedding day. The meteorologists kept saying it was going to end by noon. At this point, I was convinced it was all a lie and it was going to pour all day. 

Then, around 10a.m. the sunshine came out and the rain stopped. The sparkle of the ocean was back and our day was back to being perfect.

Hair and Makeup by Basic Image

All the girls were packed into my tiny suite. My best friend was there and life was perfect. (Her baby was born very early and was in NICU. I owe her so much for coming.) My bridesmaids didn't know each other prior to the wedding but this group got along so well. They're truly an amazing group of women. 

Claudia Duque from Basic Image

There's just something about getting your hair and makeup done that just makes you feel like a Princess. I remember looking in the mirror after it was done and just feeling so pretty. It was all so perfect. 

Hair and Makeup by Basic Image

Pictures were next. How was it already 3p.m.?? Time was flying by. I wanted to savor every moment but there was so much going on. 

I remember thinking, is the venue set up? Is everything going as planned? Is the cake there, is the food there? I spent 17 months planning this day and it was all out of my hands. Thankfully, it was in the hands of the world's most amazing wedding planner. Emily of Emily's Events had everything under control. 

From there, the girls and I headed out for pictures. Maybe it's just me but feeling like you're surrounded by the paparazzi is well.. different. The one thing I didn't want was to be moved around and told where to pose. Thank goodness for Robert McClory Photography and 1007 films for their expertise with that. I never once felt like I was doing something unnatural. 

I remember sitting in the room waiting for the ceremony to begin. It turned out to be the most beautiful day. The weather was AMAZING. Then, I found out the guys weren't at the venue yet. OMG I could've had a cow. But, they showed up minutes later. It's just like guys to be late, right? ;)

South Florida Museum

Next thing I know, we're lining up and I have my dad's arm and we're ready to go. WHEW... what a whirlwind of emotions. You're so overwhelmed but all that's going on that you almost forget what you're feeling. But, you pinch yourself just so you remember what it all feels like. 

Before this, I had probably cried a million times. From this point forward, you could probably double it. 

I remember reading the quotes we had for each other and just fighting to hold back tears. It was so emotional. It meant so much in that moment. I didn't want it to end. This was the day that meant forever. This was the moment that meant the world. Ladies, don't ever forget about planning your ceremony. It will be the most important part to you and your new husband. 

And just like that.. the ceremony was over. We said the "I dos," we kissed and we were officially husband and wife. 17 months of planning and it's over just like that?? Yep, that's the way it goes. 

The reception started and it was time to relax. Lets have a good time!! I remember during our first dance.. just looking out into the crowd and the beauty that was before me.

 Our friends and family just watching us dance. But, it was them and my new husband that made me the happiest girl in the world. 

My mom was the woman responsible for the gorgeous wedding. 

Truly, I planned the vendors and such and she did the details. There were so many details that if I tried to name them all I would fail. But, I made it a point to look at all of them. I took time to look at all the work she put into this day. I can't thank her enough. The pictures don't do it justice but it was perfect.

After the AMAZING reception, we walked down to the Riverwalk to release some Chinese lanterns. They didn't go as planned due to the windy conditions but it was so fun to try.

My parents also surprised us with an ice cream truck! This was the coolest thing. Everyone received a ticket at the end of the wedding and it was good for an ice cream there. It was so sweet. Perfect way to end the perfect night. 

I'm still in shock at how fast the day went. I tried my best to take it all in and embrace it but I would still go back and do it again. I wouldn't change a thing.

 Thank you to all the wonderful vendors who made our wedding fabulous.

Here's a look at our wedding video by 1007 Films

Jillian and Vince Wedding Film from 1007 Films on Vimeo.