Stressfree Wedding

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Years! We are going to get back on our blogging schedule next week as a family emergency had thrown us off track. (It would have totally been better if we said we need another week of recooperating from partying!)

Despite trying to get things back in order, I just had to write up this blog post. A combination of things lead to this post:
1) New Years Resolutions - As stated in previous years, I don't make resolutions cause I don't keep them. Each year, I learn something new. This year, I am going to learn as much as I can about bridal fashion. Whether this be formal classes, reading books, checking out the internet, or hanging out with my seamstress (yes, I have one), I am determined to know more so that I can help more brides find their dream dress. Of course, I have my usual resolutions of drinking more water and staying positive too.
2) My dad bought me a very zen looking ceramic frog from Vancouver. It is supposed to remind me to "just chill".
3) I read an article with tips on staying stressfree on your wedding day and thought, I have to share these tips with brides that got engaged over the holidays and are just starting to plan their weddings.

Here are the tips provided by Jaime Lawson, Designer and Owner, Bleu Garters:

1. Have your final dress alterations done a week before the wedding, if possible. Your body won't be changing too much this close to the big day, so you can rest assured your dress will fit like a glove. Pack a "bridal stylist" kit beforehand with all the emergency essentials: double stick tape, band-aids, safety pins, Tide stain wipes, etc. Nobody wants to worry about wardrobe mishaps!

2. Get over the minuscule details. If you have a wedding planner for the day, trust that they know what they're doing and will handle the details. No wedding planner? No problem! Enlist a couple of friends to pay attention to specific important details to help you out. Direct and forget! Don't obsess over each little thing. Think about the big picture.

3. Speaking of enrolling people to help, they will LOVE it. Everyone wants to be a part of the celebration and help you out. Let them. It will take some stress off of the bridesmaids, too! Have your aunt keep an eye on your updo, your college roommate remind you when it's time to cut the cake, and your sister hold your heels after you put on your dancin' shoes.

4. Remember this day is not "YOUR day." It is also your groom's day. It is also your parent's day. It is also you grandmother's day. You have invited certain guests to a celebration of love because of the role they have played in your life. This day means a lot to them, too, so share the day. Keeping this in mind will not only put things into perspective, but also take some tension off your shoulders.

5. Don't like to be the center of attention? Skip over some of the inessential wedding traditions that force you to "perform", like the bouquet toss. You can still wear a garter (it's a piece of lingerie, not a party favor!) and keep it as a memento without doing the garter toss.

6. Some people are just naturals at giving speeches. Most are not. If you're one of the lucky few, congratulations! If you dread giving speeches, then don't feel like you have to. You will probably have many sentimental things to say to important people in your life on the big day, so why not write them down in a heartfelt note? They will love the fact that it is a keepsake and can be reread whenever they want. And it keeps you safe from the mic!
If you do want to say something to all of your wedding guests, but dread speeches, keep in mind that it doesn't have to be the most clever, engrossing story with a great punchline. Keep it short and heartfelt. Even a couple of sentences expressing your gratitude and love will be appreciated and generate some "awww!"s.

7. Take a step back whenever you can to take it all in. Remind yourself to stay present. With all the action and attention going on, it's easy to get caught up and feel stressed. So prepare yourself and practice being in the moment. This is one of the most important, everyday life habits to practice, too!
Come up with a keyword or phrase that your bridesmaids can say to you during the reception to remind you to calm down and be present. Make it a nonsensical phrase, or random words that don't mean anything... something to make you laugh. I know this sounds weird, but when you're stressing out about the wrong color flower in Table 12's centerpiece and your maid of honor approaches you and says, "Ducks wear two left shoes", you'll laugh, take a deep breath, and remember it's the unbelievable amount of love in the day that will make it special, not Pantone-perfect hued Dahlias.

8. Last but not least, remember that it's the imperfections that will help make your wedding day memorable! Twenty years from now, you may not remember how perfectly the ribbon was wrapped around your bouquet. You may, however, remember falling during the limbo, and continue to laugh about it for the next 20 years. Consider the things that "weren't supposed to happen like that" gifts! These gifts will give you stories galore and chuckles for decades to come.

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @Wishahmon