By Kate Wood from The Knot
Before you read this I want you to know that I did abbreviate her article a little and added a few remarks, but overall this is written by Kate and she has GREAT ADVICE!!
Doing Anything…Before the Guest List
The problem: You’re engaged! You’re excited! You’re ready to send out save-the-dates, book that reception hall, and choose your flowers— now! Well hang on a second, because we’re afraid you’re forgetting something. Who’s coming to this affair, exactly?
The solution: You shouldn’t make any decisions before you have your wedding guest list somewhat firmly in place. Why, you ask? Well, do you want to have a nonrefundable deposit down on that cozy restaurant room that fits 75 when you finally get your official list together and it’s closer to 150? Think about what kind of atmosphere you’d like for your wedding. Do you want an intimate, close friends and family-only affair, or do you want to throw the event of the season for 300-plus people? Then make your official list, THEN book your reception location.
Reading Aloud to Your Fiance…From Bridal Magazines
The problem: Look, we know it’s not the Stone Age, and there are plenty of guys out there who want to see their wedding as an event that reflects their style too (or at least one that’s NOT dripping with pink froufrou). But there’s likely to be a limit to your fiance’s ability to cope with an infinite array of wedding choices.
The solution: Here’s how to defuse a potentially sticky situation (and a minefield of fights you don’t want to have). Take a night OFF and save his sanity (and yours) by designating one night a week as wedding-free. Talk about the weather, your friends, the dog — whatever you want. Then on the other days figure out what he wants or envisions for the wedding and what details he is interested in and keep him in the loop on those aspects, as for everything else give him the abbreviated version.
Freaking out Because Someone Else Has Your Gown
The problem: These days, to-be-weds spend so much time personalizing their weddings and trying to find really unique big-day details that it does seem reasonable to freak if another couple chooses the same favors or flowers or food. Before you decide to arm-wrestle for it, let us suggest a different way of dealing with this problem before it even becomes a problem.
The solution: If someone else steals one of your ideas, you’ll probably hear a lot of imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but- If you don’t/didn’t divulge every last big-day detail, you won’t have to worry about your bride friends snatching them. Only tell those who you know won’t divulge all your details especially since you want some left to surprise.
Realizing That Grape Isn’t Your Color…With 2 Months to Go
The problem: When you started planning your wedding, you knew just what you wanted, but now that you’ve been hard at work for a few months, you have changed your mind.
The solution: A good rule of thumb is that if you’ve already signed a contract or seen a proof, you will have to pay extra for any changes or additions you make. Although if it’s still relatively early in your planning process, don’t be afraid to make the change. But if it is too late remember, you’re getting married to your husband, not your centerpieces.
Trying to Drop Two Sizes Before Your Final Fitting
The problem: You’ve found the wedding dress of your dreams — though it’s not exactly a perfect fit on the real-life you. Your plan: Order the dress two sizes too small, and then do whatever it takes to make it fit. Or so you think.
The solution: Making a commitment to eat right and exercise is great, but crash-dieting and chaining yourself to the StairMaster is a course likely to end in disaster — and a gown that doesn’t fit.
Instead of losing more sleep than weight, find a gown you love and order it in your current size. If you want to work on your body during your engagement, that’s great — go ahead, but be sure to make your goals are manageable (toning up but not dropping 20 pounds, for instance). You’re more likely to stick with a routine that doesn’t require superhuman willpower. And if you still find that you are freaking about your figure, just remember that you’re about to get hitched to someone who can’t get enough of the way you look (really, truly) right now.
If you do drop some weight, this slow-and-steady approach will help you big time (and help you keep it off long-term). You’ll want to lose those extra pounds before your second fitting — any big changes after that, and though you might be lighter, your alterations bill will be pretty hefty. Your final fitting should be for last-minute tweaks, not a total overhaul.
