Words of Wisdom From Former Brides
Have you ever heard the saying “Hindsight is 20/20”? Meaning when you look back and reflect on things from the past, you can see things clearly. Well, your wedding is no different. If you have never planned a wedding before, the unknown can be super intimidating and worrisome. It is important to turn to those who have walked in your shoes before. For our 2024 and 2025 couples, here is a compilation of heartfelt advice and reflections from some of our former Before the Vows brides. We hope that after reading about their experiences, you will feel more equipped and confident to make your wedding planning experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Most Cherished Moments
The moments that resonate long after the wedding underscore what truly matters - connection, love, and shared joy. Here, our brides reflect on those unforgettable flashes in time that became the highlights of their special day.
The First Look
“Something I loved the most was our First Look,” one bride shares. “At first, I was very hesitant about doing a First Look, but being able to share that moment was so special to us. We also were able to get more pictures and not feel rushed throughout our wedding day.”
Last Group Dance
Another bride fondly remembers, “Instead of doing the "trendy" private last dance, my husband and I began dancing together, and toward the end of the song, we had our DJ welcome all of our guests to the dance floor to finish out the song with us. It was such a special moment to look around and see all of our loved ones, friends, and family celebrating with us. It was truly a remarkable and beautiful moment. The pictures we received from this moment made it extra special too.”
Relaxed & Stress-free Timeline
“There were so many things that I cherished about our wedding day” a bride excitedly shares. “I loved how calm the entire day felt, especially shocking since I am such a huge perfectionist and get anxiety frequently. A lot of credit goes to our amazing coordinator (Jenny) and her well-thought-out, timed schedule to make sure everything ran smoothly, but I also think when all the decisions were finally made and all there was left to do was get married, I just kept telling myself that there is nothing I can control now. Whatever happens happens, and just enjoy every second of it, even the things that will go wrong - those will become the best stories!”
What We Can Learn
These stories illuminate the importance of personalizing your wedding to reflect your unique relationship. Whether it's a First Look, a shared dance, or a serene atmosphere, focusing on what truly resonates with you as a couple can create the most memorable and meaningful moments.
Photo Credit: Lillie Redpath Photography
Advice to Future Brides
The wedding planning process can be just as memorable as the wedding itself. These nuggets of wisdom from our former brides emphasize the importance of organization, trust, and peace of mind during these crucial months leading up to and on your wedding day.
Hire a Planner or Coordinator
One bride advises, “Definitely hire a planner or coordinator! Jenny and BTV were truly amazing, and I could go on and on about her and their company, but the most helpful thing was the meetings we had leading up to our big day. She answered so many of my questions and went over details I never thought about. She made the day so easy, relaxing, and stress-free.”
Trust in Your Coordinator & Vendors
“Listen to your wedding planner!!” one bride emphasizes. “BTV always had our best interest at heart, and every vendor and wedding suggestion that was given to us made our day amazing. Enjoy time with each other. The day goes by so fast. Make sure you have genuine connections with your vendors. Your wedding is a very important day, and you want to ensure you feel confident about the people making your day possible!”
Create a Separate Wedding Email
On a more practical note, one bride encourages engaged couples to “Make a wedding email! You get/send so many emails that it is so easy to lose your correspondence with your vendors or quotes and questions for potential vendors. Having a wedding email keeps everything in one place and helps you stay organized.”
What We Can Learn
The collective advice here speaks to the importance of effective communication and trust in professionals. Organizing your planning, trusting your vendor team, and delegating responsibilities can significantly reduce stress and enhance the enjoyment of both the planning process and the wedding day itself.
Photo Credit: La Vie Est Doree Photography
Behind the Scenes Magic
Sometimes, what you don't see on your wedding day plays a huge role in its success. Something always “goes wrong” on wedding days, but if you have a skilled coordination team, you will not know that anything happened until well after the fact! These stories highlight our team's unseen efforts and quick thinking to ensure a flawless celebration from start to finish.
Rain Plan Perfection
“On our wedding day, it rained,” a bride recounts. It was not part of my plan, but thankfully, BTV had a plan B well before the wedding. They were so helpful in making sure everything went smoothly, and we are forever thankful! I was so surprised at how organized everything was, despite moving the ceremony indoors. From the very beginning, Jenny, was very organized, kind, and honest. We loved the energy she and the BTV team brought to our wedding, and we have truly gained a friend!”
Floral Surprise
Dealing with a floral issue, a bride was impressed by our team's resourcefulness “Sadly, I didn't receive the florals I had envisioned from my florist. The florals were not up to par, BUT I never knew that until after the wedding. I only found out because my mom told me after the fact. Jenny and her team rearranged some of the flowers and added new ones from the venue's garden. Needless to say, Jenny works well under pressure!”
Table Mishap
Another bride shares, “An entire table completely collapsed during the reception, breaking glasses and plates that were on it, and I literally had no idea it even fell! Don’t ask me how I didn’t even hear it fall. Still, I remember looking over and seeing the BTV team act quickly and move the table back to its original spot, and I honestly thought they just moved it for a photo-op or something, totally oblivious!”
What We Can Learn
No matter how much planning you do beforehand, something will not go as planned on your big day. The value of a skilled, experienced wedding planning/coordination team is priceless. Their ability to handle unforeseen circumstances discreetly ensures that the couple and their guests remain undisturbed, enjoying the day to its fullest.
Photo Credit: M Visuals
Wedding Day Reflection
Zero Regrets
When asked if she would have done anything differently on her wedding day, one bride enthusiastically responded, “There is absolutely nothing that we would do differently. Everything was so well planned and executed. we have ZERO regrets, and we loved everything about our wedding. Even though it rained, we had the best day of our lives!”
Another bride shared the same sentiment, “I wouldn't have changed a thing about my wedding day. Between the support from my bridesmaids, closest family members and the wonderful team of Before the Vows, my day ran very smooth and the event felt like it lasted forever because I was just so truly happy!”
In conclusion, gleaning wisdom from those who've walked the path before us is invaluable. These stories and lessons form a roadmap for our future brides, helping them navigate the journey of wedding planning. We hope the lessons and reflections they have shared will help you enjoy the wedding planning process more and worry less!
Photo Credit: OkCrowe Photography
