Wedding Advice from the JACK 1023 Bride!

August 2015, I said yes to being engaged. Fast forward nearly two years later and today, I am a married woman. Time truly does fly when you’re having fun (Or planing one of the biggest days of your life!)

We were so incredibly lucky on Saturday – beautiful day, no issues AT ALL and everyone had a great time (a win across the board!)

From one (former) Bride to another, here are some things to think about on your big day:

1. Get to bed early the night before – I know how hard this is because I had a tough time trying to sleep the night before. You’ve got so much running through your head and the nerves might already be kicking in. Try as hard as you can to shut off your brain, take a couple deep breaths, and just remember it will all be okay. Maybe even write out a list before bed so that it’s on paper and off your mind
2. Let your Bridal Party help you – I honestly don’t know what I would do without these girls. From making the emergency bathroom kits, to chalkboard signs, centrepieces, keeping me calm all day…Amber, Liz, Ashley, Sienna and Kaitlyn, I will be forever grateful for all of your help and how you were constantly ready to do anything and everything I needed help with. Your wedding party is there for a reason, let them help as much as possible!
3. Remember to thank EVERYONE – When I say everyone, I mean everyone. Your guests who are there for you, the venue, DJ, florist, photographer, wedding party, emcee, your parents the list can keep going! Each one of these people are there to make sure your day is perfect! Please take the time at some point to thank them for being a part of the day! (We said a big thank you through our speech at the reception and then did it after as well)
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff – we were so very lucky and had next to a perfect day. Really, nothing went wrong which is so amazing to think about! However, that’s not always the case and sometimes, things can get misplaced or not be exactly as you pictured it. My mother-in-law put it best when she said ‘no one is going to care or remember that your blue hanging lanterns didn’t match the blue on the bridesmaid dresses.’ and truly they won’t. Try to let the small stuff slide and just remember, the day is about celebrating the marriage and that is what matters at the end of the day
5. Have FUN – people aren’t lying when they say that the day is a blur and goes by too fast. One minute we said our vows and the next, it was the final song of the night. Take a moment to enjoy your special day and remember to be grateful for everything and everyone!

Before I go, I just want to take a moment to give a shout out to the vendors and people I worked with for the big day:

Mahervelous Music – Thank you to Kelly for the amazing music all night long that kept everyone on the dance floor and singing away!

Jenn Raymer Photography – From the moment we met Jennifer, we knew this was a match made in heaven. She is INCREDIBLE and so easy to work with (believe me, that’s hard when my husband is not a photo taking person!) Thank you to Jenn and her hubby Ben for the beautiful photos they took. You guys captured our special day so well and I know that we will be using you again for other family photos, etc.

Time 4 Flowers – Rosemary was so great and blew me away with the beautiful bouquet she created along with the bridesmaids bouquets, etc. Everything was perfect and she was a dream to work with. Thank you so much!

Pine Knot Golf & Country Club – From working with our events coordinator Caprice, to the entire staff that were a part of the day, we couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful venue! Thank you so much!

Ballet’s Bridal –  I worked with Sara who was so helpful and was the one who found my beautiful dress. They are so friendly and great! Thank you so much to Ballet’s!

Siobhan Lynch Makeup – She is AMAZING and myself and my bridesmaids looked so beautiful. Thank you so so much for making me look as beautiful as I felt!

Some pictures from the night (Thank you everyone!!)