This “Real Wedding” post is going to go much different than our normal ones since it’s my own! I am often asked questions about my own wedding here at Bread & Chocolate and 4 areas of advice that I would give to current and potential couples planning their wedding. I wrote another blog post about planning tips a few months ago (which can be read here). It’s been a little over two years since my wedding and these tips still ring true!

TIP: Hire professional vendors you trust

Having a professional team that you trust on your wedding day makes the biggest difference not only on your wedding day but the entire planning process and the way you feel looking back on your day. Ashley Dru captured the best moments on our wedding day, made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera and took a ton of candid shots, all of which were really important to my husband and I. I didn’t give Ashley a list of “must have” wedding photos because I really trusted her and wanted her, and her second shooter, to take the lead. For flowers, Camille’s Floral went above and beyond! I walked into my first appointment with Tracy with a hodgepodge of ideas and she took them all and came up with the theme that I used throughout the entire planning process. In addition to having absolutely gorgeous flowers, Tracy and her team did all of the set up and tear down. I set up my seating chart and guest book and that was literally all the decorating I did, 5 minutes tops. Instead of worrying about decorating or setting up the venue, I spent the entire weekend with all of my family and friends which is invaluable. Hiring professional vendors you trust makes ALL the difference on your wedding day, trust me.

TIP: Have a wedding that truly represents you

Craig and I decided on a brunch wedding, for many different reasons, but mostly just because it felt like us. A little nontraditional? Absolutely! There were also a lot of wedding traditions we didn’t do because they just didn’t feel comfortable to us. The day after our wedding I remember my brother telling me how the entire day just totally felt like Craig and I. Out of all of the many compliments we got, that was one I will never forget because that’s what truly meant the most to us. Do what makes you comfortable and what truly feels like a celebration that is devoted to you and your lives together!

TIP: Be flexible

Working in this industry I knew that I couldn’t expect that everything would go as planned on my wedding day, and I was prepared to not care. After our reception at Bread & Chocolate, we planned an outdoor after party nearby (with no tent or rain plan). The weather forecast all week for Saturday was 80-100% chance of rain but I knew I had absolutely no control over the weather so I decided not to stress about it. It poured entire morning of the wedding and then right after the ceremony the sun came out and it was honestly, the most perfect day. It’s important to remember that there may be something on your wedding day may not go exactly as planned and that’s okay - at the end of the day you are married to the love of your life!

TIP: Buy a comfortable wedding dress

This might be a strange one but trust me, if you feel uncomfortable in your dress it will definitely show in your wedding pictures. When you are comfortable, you will feel (and look) confident! I was in my dress for 18+ hours and I was never once uncomfortable which I was so thankful for! It was so fun being able to wear my dress around all day because honestly, I’ll never be able to do it again! In addition to your own dress, make sure your attendants and family feel comfortable with what they are wearing too. When you are picking out bridesmaids dresses, be sure to ask your bridesmaids how they feel in the dress. You want your friends and family members to feel just as great on your wedding day!

It truly was the best day of our lives and we wouldn’t have changed a thing!

Cheers!
- Jessica