Your wedding day is just around the corner, you may be forgetting these things: The big and the small stuff
From a videographer to simply forgetting to enjoy your own wedding, here’s the top “stuff” brides tend to forget when it comes to wedding day
You’re a few months out from your wedding day and everything is falling into place… except for this aggravating voice in the back of your head saying you’re forgetting something. Well, you probably are because #1 you’re not perfect but #2 planning a wedding is a huge task to take on and it’s virtually impossible to remember everything on your own. Luckily for you, I’ve asked hundreds of brides the question “what’d you forget on your wedding day that you’d like to make sure others don’t” as well as searched through the crevices of my own brain to find answers. Without further ado, I give you the top answers that may finally shut up that icky voice in the back of your pretty little brain.
A Videographer
Yes, it’s a big one first but I said it. The number one thing I’ve heard brides say they, not so much forgot, but wish they had, was a videographer. Photography goes a long way, that’s why I do it. You can print your photos, hang them up to see everyday and so on, but videography tells more of a complete story. It’s not as convenient as being able to scroll through a few photos on your phone here and there but being able to watch something and resubmerge yourself into the day is unmatched.
Please always remember to pick someone you trust and ultimately adore; not only them as a person but their work too…duh. One of my favorite videographers to recommend is Chiola Films. Rob Chiola is an Orlando based wedding videographer but not to worry, he does frequent Colorado. The main reason why I recommend Rob is because of the more unique, party-vibe, upbeat nature to his videos but also because he is a dime a dozen in terms of his kindness. Although I’ve only spoken to Rob a hand full of times, he is always quick with his responses, genuine and enthusiastic which can be hard to come by these days. I’m incredibly hopeful to get to work with him in October of 2024 in the beautiful Dominican Republic. Then, I can really dish out the truth…hehehe..
Who knows, Rob may be asked to film my very own wedding in these upcoming years!
2. Your Accessories
I’m not lying when I tell you I’ve pulled my own earrings out of my ears and gave them to a bride to wear who forgot hers (we were good friends, its not gross, get over it.) Since then, I always carry around a FRESH extra pair. There is so much to grab when you are running out of the house the morning of your wedding, so why wouldn’t you forget a tiny pair of stud earrings? I would. Your best friend in this situation? A travel jewelry organizer, check out this one on amazon. It comes in a bunch of different colors, has about a million slots for all your little thangs and you can use it forever. Plus, it’s way more aesthetic looking for photos than the icky cardboard that jewelry typically comes on (unless your bougie and get a box.) You will 100% not regret buying one; pack it the night before your big day, stick it right next to something you can’t live without and the end, you just solved a problem you never thought you’d have.
3. Nice looking hangers
This may be a weird one if you’re not a photographer, but pretty looking hangers go a long way when it comes to taking beautiful photos of your dress (or whatever you’re wearing for your big day, no judgement around here baby.) I’m definitely not saying to go out and buy those custom hangers that say “bride” or “bridesmaid” unless that really floats your boat. They’re cute, but they aren’t as timeless in photographs as a plain wooden or felt hanger is, in my opinion.
I personally bring one with me to every wedding I photograph because that’s a pretty weird thing to ask my brides to remember. But, if you are reading this and your wedding day is right around the corner, go grab a basic, light-colored felt or wood hanger and throw it with your wedding things NOW, you’ll thank me later.
4. An “Oh Shit Kit”
If you already know what this is, congrats. Make one and bring it to your wedding. The end.
If you haven’t heard of this before, I’m about to rock your world. There is a product you can buy off amazon, but it is purely for hangovers, which you can’t really go wrong with for a wedding but that’s not what we’re talking about. I, as a photographer who’s seen just about everything under the sun go down at a wedding, have created my own kit that I bring with me to weddings. If your photographer, day of coordinator or anyone else who will be around on your big day isn’t going to have one of these “kits” handy, I highly HIGHLY suggest making one of your own. You may not need it at all but better safe than sorry. Here is a list of my most used items in my kit as well as a few extras you can never go wrong with:
Advil
Tampons
Hair Ties
Bobby Pins
Q-tips
Tissues
Baby powder (can be used as “dry shampoo” or if you spill an oily substance on anything, this will soak it up)
Spray Deodorant
Perfume/ Calongne
Cheap Make-up Sponges
Snacks
Gum
Travel sewing kit ( if you don’t get anything else, please get this)
Blotting papers
Anything else you think you may need!
I’ve used every. single. one. of these items at a wedding at least once. Some less than others but you can never have too many things in a kit like this. My favorite thing to do when building a new kit is just go to Target or Wal-Mart and grab everything in the travel minis section that makes sense (Target is better for this for beauty products.) This gets it over with quickly and easily so you can move on with your life. After your wedding, put it in your car! Ta da!
5. Actually enjoy your wedding
The number one complaint I’ve heard come from brides after their wedding is they didn’t enjoy their day fully. Stop. Worrying. So. Much. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Something will not go as you planned. You’ll lose something, someone will say something they shouldn’t have, whatever, life goes on.
Us as women are so obsessed with making a day we’ve dreamt about forever as perfect as it can be, we often neglect the actual reason why we are getting married in the first place. It’s because we love someone so much that we want to spend forever and ever with them (I’m talking to myself here as well.)
Hire a day-of-coordinator. Can’t fit one into your budget? Get your most opinionated, control freak, loudest bridesmaid to keep everything in line, I don’t care! Do what you need to do to take the weight off your shoulders and have the best day of your life.
Never leave your partners side either. This day is about you two, everyone is there to celebrate YOU and your partner. It’s not a family reunion, you don’t need to spend 5 minutes talking to each person just because your mom thinks it’s a good idea…unless you want to, of course.
Speaking of your mother or your future MIL, I know she probably thinks a lot of things are a good idea for your wedding day, but it’s not about her or what everyone else wants you to do, it’s about you, what you want, and what makes you happy. I for one can relate to this as I begin to talk to people about what I want at my wedding day. I don’t want to do a garter toss and probably not a bouquet toss, no thank you. My grandma thinks it’s “so cute” and “fun” and “traditional.” Sure, I can get behind it at someone else’s wedding if that’s something they would love to do, count me in! I’ll talk some fun photos! But not at my wedding, I’ll pass.
At the end of the day, your wedding is about you, your partner, being in love, celebrating and doing what YOU want to do. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Enjoy yourself, enjoy your family and enjoy the new journey you and your partner are about to go on together. End of story.
Want more? Check out my this post about the best destinations in Colorado for a micro-wedding. Including everything you need to reserve the spot, permits and lodging for everyone you love.
