Advice from those who have been through the whole wedding planning thing and have come out the other side alive and married. When I emailed my brides from this past year asking for advice they would offer to newly-engaged couples, they jumped at the opportunity to help the next couples coming down the aisle. Here’s what they said:

Change happens. Just breathe.

Be okay with things changing last minute. We had our photo booth drop out the week before but we were able to hop on Amazon and purchase all the materials for a quarter of the price (the backdrop was a little janky but it made for funnier pics, lol)

Paige

It’s important to realize that you can’t control everything. Not every detail is going to be perfect, and if you’re worrying about the small things you’re going to forget to enjoy all the great things that are happening around you. 

Robyn

Don’t stress about the small stuff! The bigger picture is your happiness and your marriage.

Rachel

Don’t stress the little things, you won’t notice them on your big day (and no one else will either).

Laura

THERE’S A THEME HERE GUYS. THE STRESS AIN’T WORTH IT.

Guest count will change, timeline will change, and weather will change, and it is okay! You are planning a big party and acting as the administrator, the decorator, the organizer and an attendee. By the time the big day rolls around some things will be different than you planned and it is not worth getting stressed. Your wedding is all about celebrating you and your partner’s love story, don’t let a little snow in October or rain in July ruin that.

Lyndsay

When people offer to help, take them up on it.

The people that are closest to you will really be the ones looking out for you and your soon to be hubby’s best interest…don’t feel bad about delegating tasks to these people.

Juanita

The greatest advice we can give you is to delegate. When you first get engaged everyone is so excited, and they love to offer help with wedding plans. The best thing we ever did was let our friends and family take part in this process, it made planning much less stressful because we didn’t have to do as much work ourselves and it ended up saving us money. 

Robyn

Remember you and your partner are not super heroes, you are planning a wedding in the midst of living life and juggling a new aspect of your relationship. It is important to spend time with your partner that isn’t wedding planning things. I have found that it is good to set times throughout the week to do wedding things and being strict.

Lyndsay

For the budget-friendly bride.

I used to hate the idea of getting my dress at David’s Bridal, but let me tell ya, you can get sweet deals there.

Other spots to search for deals on wedding dresses are BHLDN and Lulus.

Sonia

Example of one of the dresses I got for under $400 at David’s. (Photo by our wonderful photographer, Sara Monika)

Backyard weddings seem like a blast — and they are — but keep in mind that they require building your venue from the ground up. That can mean saving money, but it also means a lot more work for someone. Make sure you delegate lots if you’re planning on a backyard wedding.

Sonia

Getting really practical.

Wedding planning can take up your entire world if you let it, don’t. It is important to spend time with your partner that isn’t wedding planning things. I have found that it is good to set times throughout the week to do wedding things and being strict.

Lyndsay

Finalize your seating plan the night before, and keep your seating plan presentation simple enough!

Rebekah

Pinterest can only take you so far. Dream for a little while on there to get an idea of what you want your wedding to look like, but then put it away and get into the nitty gritty of things.

Anonymous

ZOLA (they’re a planning and registry website that has everything)

Connor

It is important to sit down with your partner and decide what is important to you. Figure out what is important to you and your partner and put your money into those things.

Lyndsay

Best app — Wedding Wire (tons of planning tools)

Lyndsay Z.

Do something fun.

It’s your wedding day so if you’re just gonna be stressed out and not having fun then it’s really going to show and you only get this day once!

I know the day is so crazy busy, but it really goes by so fast. Something I wish I would have done is set time aside in between picture taking and the reception to be with your new spouse alone and let it sink in that you’re now married! Even if it’s just 5 minutes. You’re the one that gets to set the schedule out ahead of time and you will not regret doing this. 

Juanita

Take steps to help you remember the day.

Try to stop and take it all in as often as possible. You blink and it’s all over, so you want to remember as many moments as you can.

Paige

There are very few things that you will have to remember your day in 10 years. The day becomes a blur and even writing things down can only help so much. Having a photographer who captures all the little moments will help you go back and remember specific memories from your day.

You will remember your family and friends who were there but you won’t always remember the look that was on your partner’s face when you were standing at the alter together, or that moment where you couldn’t stop laughing because the best man tried to steal the spotlight in your photos. These are the things you will want your photographer to capture so you can remember them in 5 years.

Lyndsay

While we’re on the topic, check out my blog post on the topic of remembering:

Also, do what you want.

We had a plated meal and an ice cream truck for dessert and we have gotten SO many compliments – might be a good option if you’re debating. We went non-traditional in a lot of the little things: Homemade bouquet, clutches instead of flowers for the bridesmaids, took a shot instead of cut the cake, sweetheart table instead of the head table, etc. and it made our wedding stand out from others. Try not to get sucked into the “cookie-cutter” weddings (unless that’s what you want).

Paige

If you don’t wanna do something at your wedding, just don’t do it.

Juanita