What I Wish I Knew Before My Wedding Day: Wedding Advice from Past Brides

Wedding Advice from Real Couples | What Past Brides Wish They Knew

Planning a wedding is an entirely new experience for most couples. Other than attending a few weddings or maybe standing beside a friend as a bridesmaid, most people have no idea what to expect when it’s finally their turn to say, “I do.”

Between the whirlwind of emotions, the pressure of hosting a major event, and suddenly becoming the center of attention, it can feel like a lot to handle. That’s why I reached out to real couples– my past clients and married friends- to get their best wedding advice for future brides and grooms. Here’s some solid wedding advice from past brides!

1. Focus on the Sentimental Touches

✔️ “We wrote our own vows, our cocktail drinks had fun stories behind them, and I had my grandmother’s ring tied to my bouquet.” – Stephanie
✔️ “Remember that it’s not about the wedding, it’s about the life commitment to each other.” – Vannessa

2. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

✔️ “Not everything will be perfectly how you planned, and that’s okay. Don’t stress over things you can’t control.” – Alex
✔️ “As long as you both show up, nothing is worth the stress!” – Lacey

3. Make Time for Each Other

✔️ “Take a moment and spend time just the two of you. No one else around. One of our favorite moments was after the ceremony, after all the pictures, before the reception—we sent the photographer and videographer on break and sat alone in the closed zoo on a bench. Just me and him. No pictures, no videos, but it’s the moment we remember most.” – Shari
✔️ “The day goes by insanely fast—take a minute to sneak away with your new husband to take it all in.” – Jessica

4. Eat the Damn Food

✔️ “Tell people to EFF OFF and make sure you sit down for at least 30 minutes to eat the expensive food you paid for.” – Taylor
✔️ “Come up with a couple different responses when you’re done socializing—‘I’ll see you on the dance floor later’ works great. Mingle when you can, but when you see food, SIT and EAT IT.” – Kristin
✔️ “Take time to eat all the food you spent months picking out!” – Caitlyn

5. Slow Down and Soak It All In

✔️ “Don’t rush. The day can’t happen without you being there. Take the extra picture. Spend an extra minute together. Those are the moments you’ll remember.” – Tammy
✔️ “Take a few minutes to look around the room and really absorb the moment.” – Kayla

6. Do the Wedding YOUR Way

✔️ “Do the whole wedding the way YOU want if you’re paying for it. Don’t sacrifice what’s important just because someone thinks you’re doing it wrong.” – Danyel
✔️ “Take the time you need. Have a long engagement if you want. There’s no rush. Do everything your way, no matter what.” – Kailey

7. First Look? Just Do It.

✔️ “If you’re not opposed to a ‘first look,’ DO IT. Get all those bridal party pictures done FIRST. Then you can actually enjoy your cocktail hour and mingle with guests!” – Kristin

8. Pick the Right Vendors & Trust Them

✔️ “Invest in your attire and your photography. Quality over quantity in everything.” – Jana
✔️ “Take the time to really research your vendors. I took my time choosing, and I’m so glad I did. They were all AMAZING! Also, spend extra money on your honeymoon—no one remembers the little details of your wedding besides you.” – Sarah
✔️ “Get a professional hair and makeup artist. What you think looks good might not photograph well. Trust the pros so you don’t regret it later.” – Elisebeth

9. Have Fun & Get Creative

✔️ “Make sure to get fun shots when doing your ‘formal’ photos. My two favorite wedding photos are the ones where I got silly.” – Aaron
✔️ “Cut your wedding cake with a sword. 10/10 would do again.” – Kaitrin
✔️ “Don’t try to cut through the cardboard layer in your wedding cake during the cake cutting. LOL.” – Mara

10. Prioritize What Matters to YOU

✔️ “Know what’s important to you going in and don’t stress about the rest. I cared a lot about food, but not so much about music—so I let someone else take charge of the playlist while I focused on getting the perfect taco bar.” – Katie

---

Final Thoughts: Take Wedding Advice from Past Brides who have Already Been There

At the end of the day, your wedding is YOURS. The details, the timeline, the decisions- they should all reflect what makes you and your partner happy. Whether it’s making time for just the two of you, ensuring you eat the food you paid for, or ignoring what others think, the most important advice from past couples is simple: enjoy your day and do it your way.

If you’re planning a wedding and want a photographer who captures every real, unfiltered moment, let’s chat! Click here to get in touch!