Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:55p.m.
This is it, the final blog to complete my journey from Wendy B to Wendy C.
I thought it might be a good idea to share some of the things I learned from our big day for future brides-to-be.
Before the day
You can't control the weather, so don't let it control you! I went from happy to sad and back and forth a hundred times in the week prior to our wedding, depending on what the weather forecast was. Really, I wasted a lot of time and stress on something that I had zero control over. Just cross fingers and toes and have a Plan B and even C if you need it.
Bargain
Mention the dreaded 'W' word and costs seem to skyrocket. Look around and when you've got a couple of quotes and made an informed decision, go to your preferred vendor and ask what their best price is. More often than not they'll be willing to throw something in for free, or knock their price back a few bucks. Just be brave! What is the worst that can happen?!
On the day
Take it easy. Delegate and trust that other people will do the things you ask. My sister-in-law sent me text updates throughout the day to let me know that the boys had eaten lunch, were getting ready, had left for the venue on time etc. I was so grateful to have her on their case! I knew if they mucked around she'd get them back onto schedule, and I didn't have to worry about them. You really should sit back and relax on your special day, not be making a hundred calls to check things are happening as you expected and worrying if things will be done exactly the way you wanted them. Chances are, your guests won't notice if your pomanders aren't straight!
Eat lunch!
We stopped, sat down and had a yummy lunch that kept us going right through till dinner, which was great because we missed the nibbles while we were out on the photoshoot.
Your dress
Yes you spent a lot of money on it, but chances are at least one person will stand on it at some point in the day! The look on my brother-in-law's face was priceless when he stepped on my (detachable) train as I walked away, and it came right off due to the hidden snap domes! We just snapped it back on and he breathed a huge sigh of relief! I wasn't precious about my dress, and happily walked through wet sand and paddocks of sheep and rabbit poo without a second thought, and got some great photos as a result. I don't intend on wearing my gown again, but I'm sure it'll come up just fine after a trip to the cleaners.
The ceremony
When you walk down the aisle, consciously think about where you are holding your flowers. I've got so many photos with my flowers up around my collarbone, and you can barely see the detail in my bodice! And as much as you might be trying to hold back the tears, try and keep a relaxed face – again, I have some interesting photos of my deep breaths, and only one or two where I don't look terrified!
The reception
Enjoy yourself! Dance to your favourite songs and with your closest friends. Try and talk to as many people as possible, but you may have to split up and operate as independent agents to get around all your guests. We both feel like we hardly saw each other after the formal part of the reception was over! But we did manage to talk to everyone between us!
Leave before things get messy (if your friends and family have a tendency to get messy that is!) You really don't want anything to tarnish your memories of the night.
Our day wouldn't have been complete without all of our special vendors. A lot of them are our friends and family, and we trusted them completely. They really came through for us on the day, and we don't have a single regret about any of our choices! See the list below for our recommendations if you're getting married in the greater Wellington region. And a big thanks to all of them (I know you're reading this!)
So this is it. And then we lived happily ever after :)
PS: We blew the budget. By about half. Oops.
Bride's Dress – Divine Wedding & Bridal
Bridesmaid's Dresses – Deryn Schmidt
Suit Hire – Frank Casey
Venue – Sudbury Fields
Photography – Iris Productions
Flowers – Victoriana Florist
Cake – Tempt
Catering – Spitfire Catering
Makeup – Gemma and Lana from Spa Horrobin & Hodge
Hair – Michelle from Desire Hair Design
Dance lessons – Christine from Dancetech
AV Equipment – Vision Media Systems
Marquee & Hire Equipment – McEntee Event & Party Hire
Wedding Cars – Lexus of Wellington
Guest Bus – Hot Ice Travel
(and if we've forgotten anyone, we're really sorry!)