My wedding is in 12 days, and I’ll be Mrs. Young and I am just bursting at the seams with joy, but man I don’t know where I am coming or going. It’s been non stop the last week with finalizing the wedding timeline, and everything with our vendors, etc and running Brianna Michelle Beauty. Talk about wedding brain!!!! It’s more like I have no brain- LOL However, I am SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!
Sometimes you always know and I always knew I would feel this sense of satisfaction, and love fulfillment when I got married. Planning a wedding changes you and getting married changes you. It is something that is hard to describe, but you just change and I cant describe it, but it is like all of a sudden you feel the most loved, beautiful, wholeness that ever is. Perhaps it is like when you become a mom for the first time or how my mom friends are always explaining to me- well thats how I feel and I cant wait to share all the personal growth I have developed in myself since I have been on this journey to married life with my big girl pants on now! 🙂 I can hardly wait for the wedding! I am ready to become a wife and the queen of my castle!
So I am sharing with you a few things that I discovered to be prepared for during the last 2 weeks of your wedding day. Hope you find them helpful and if there is something I missed, please share below in the comments section!
Photo by Kathy Cuadra Photography.
THINGS DO GET HECTIC- BE PREPARED.
I got almost all my planning done by the end of April and things finalized. Literally everything down to the bridesmaids gifts, wedding favors and cake topper. This gave me some room my last few weeks for any upcoming incidentals, reconfirming with all my vendors, or things I wasn’t expecting to incur such as people not rsvp-ing on time, hunting them down and making sure my venue had all the items on the menu that we agreed some months ago during our tasting.
Yes, double check with all your vendors. There were a few items we had on the menu we selected months ago, that our venue contact said they were not carrying on the menu anymore, but luckily they were able to accommodate us so nicely. Price we paid for choosing a great venue and not the cheapest one on the list. You do get what you pay for. You can check out services like Dallas wedding venues to check out what suits your budget.
TIMELINE
I am still struggling to get this done and hope to have it done this week. Plan for at least 3 days so you don’t go crazy and work on it a little each day, if your doing it on your own and not hiring a coordinator.
I started with hair and makeup getting ready in the morning at 9am all the way down to the 11pm sparkler send off! Don’t forget to add on your timeline when your are signing the marriage license. Most do it right after the ceremony in the back room somewhere nearby.
DON’T FORGET YOUR TRIAL
Even if your a destination bride and flying in a day or two before, schedule a trial the day before. I actually had my hair trial months ago, and thank God I did. While the hairstylist did exactly what I asked for and was terrific, I didn’t like the look on myself and opted for something else. I was able to have a few trials here in Vegas with my own team, so she will be able to duplicate on the day of. I am doing my own makeup- everyone asks! :))
MAKE NOTE OF SPECIAL PHOTOS
If your like me and have this vision of how you want your photos to turn out and what shots are physically in your mind, I recommend taking some sample screen shots of some looks and not only sending them to your photographer via Pinterest, but writing them down on the timeline, so that as you go through it your Coordinator or Maid of Honor can make sure those shots are getting done. For example, if there’s certain shots you want with specific family members or the bride and groom shot with the brides veil over them or the fabulous and most popular sparkler send off shot add them to the wedding timeline!
PREPARE FOR GRATUITY
While most vendors include gratuity in their wedding contracts, it’s always appreciated to ask the venue or vendor if gratuity is included. I have personally set aside cash gratuity in envelopes for all my vendors.
DELEGATE
It’s okay to allow people to help you! Your not expected to do everything on your own. Have a few people aside to be your “Gofers” so that they can help things go a bit more smooth on wedding day. I have set aside my bridesmaids and in additional another close friend.
IN ADDITION….
Last but not least, if you are generally not an organized person, HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER! Add it into your budget before booking anyone. I run a business, and I am extremely organized and this was ALOT for me. While we almost eloped I am so happy we are doing it the way I always dreamed of, even though it was so expensive. I can look back and feel good about the way we planned everything and became a MRS.!!!!!
Did I miss anything? Have a helpful tip to share leading to the countdown of the last 2 wedding weeks? Comment below your suggestions and helpful tips!
