A bride is the most special person at a wedding, and her day should be as perfect as possible. While it can be difficult to deal with the inevitable hiccups that are bound to arise during planning (such as a tardy bridesmaid or the wrong shoes on the ring bearer), if a bride takes everything in stride and remains happy + calm her wedding will be one she never forgets.
1.) Envision your big day clearly and write it down.
During the early stages of planning, it’s crucial that a bride takes some time to fully envision her wedding day and write it all down – this will serve as her “holy grail” throughout the entire process and will be there for her to reference when things start to get out of hand.
2.) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Throughout the wedding planning process, it’s important that a bride surrounds herself with supportive people who are happy to help bring her vision to life. Avoid those who will try to steer her in another direction – these people are toxic and will only add stress. Having positive, beautiful people around you will allow you to stay focused and excited about the day ahead of you.
3.) Be a good friend to your bridesmaids & groomsmen.
A great way to show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate them is by gifting them something thoughtful. Whether it’s a cute pair of earrings, a custom monogrammed makeup bag or a spa gift set, the key is to think outside of the box and find a gift that will be something they will love + use regularly.
4.) Don’t rely on predictable phrases when giving your toasts.
Using predictable phrases in your toasts can make them seem boring and repetitive, so try to be creative with what you have to say about your new bride. While a few classics like “dazzling,” “stunning,” and “beautiful” are fine, be sure to include some more personal details about her that will make her feel special on her big day.
5.) Be generous with your gifts.
Whether you’re buying for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, your moms, flower girls, ring bearers or vendors – always give gifts with heart. When you’re more generous, your bride will be happier – plus she will be super impressed that you thought of her and gave her something really special to take home with her!
6.) Remember that your wedding isn’t a competition.
During the planning stages, it’s easy to compare your wedding to those of other couples and to start worrying about whether your big day will be as perfect as theirs. However, when your big day comes, remember that it’s not a competition. Your day will be perfect in its own way and it will be the best day of your life.
The word bride derives from the Old English bride-ale, which refers to the celebration of a marriage. The term is a nod to the Roman confarreatio, an upper-class form of marriage that included the eating of a cake and the holding of wheat ears as symbols of plenty.