Excellent advice
From budgeting tips to reception musts , our newlyweds are ready to spill ...
YOU DO YOU ( GEORGINA )
Don ’ t feel obliged to have or do all the stuff you see on social media . Your wedding day should be unapologetically you and filled with the people and things that make you feel wonderful . As much as your family and friends will offer well-intentioned advice , the day is yours and you don ’ t want to look back worrying about whether you ’ ve made everybody happy . If you ’ re having a great time , everyone else will be too . See Georgina & Jackson ’ s Champagnefuelled Brisbane celebration on p . 65 .
TAKE A MOMENT , MAKE A MOMENT ( CHRISTINA )
The day will fly past , so make sure you steal a moment ( we did it while we were eating dinner ) to pause , look around the room at your loved ones look at each other and take it all in . Oh , and take a quick selfie while you ’ re at it ! See Christina & Gerard ’ s charming country wedding on p . 49
DON ’ T SKIMP ON GOOD NOSH ( ASH )
You can always add more to the bar tab if it runs out , but you can ’ t order more food ! We have a fear of going hungry at a wedding , so we had canapés , a two-course dinner and cake , cannolis , and cookies for dessert . Also , having a videographer was a non-negotiable for us . Seeing your wedding day move , hearing your vows , reliving speeches . It ’ s always something people wish they had after the day ! See Ash & Michael ’ s joyful country celebration on p . 57 .
HAVE A PLAN — AND A PLANNER ( ROMY )
Have a wedding planner , it helps a ton ! Also , make a list of everything and tick it off as you go . See Romy & Troy ’ s glorious Tallebudgera wedding on p . 69 .
ENJOY THE RIDE ( SAM )
The planning is the big ( and can be the most stressful ), part of the wedding process , but honestly , it is so much fun . Don ’ t make it stressful : make it fun and let it flow . It will all work out exactly as it ’ s meant to in the end . See Sam & Jye ’ s Med-inspired North Queensland nuptials on p . 61 .
MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT ( SAMANTHA )
Stop , breathe , and take in that moment when you lock eyes before you walk down the aisle for as long as you can . It is the best feeling in the world . And don ’ t stress . It ’ s about the marriage , not the wedding . Despite everything that happened , I had the most incredible day . See Sammi & Darren ’ s rollercoaster ride to “ we do ” on p . 77
5 PEARLS FROM ASHLEE
1 . We had a video guestbook instead of a written one . We set up an iPad with a sign prompting guests to leave a message , advice or a song . Really fun to watch back .
2 . Spend money on things that are important to you . For us that was the band , photographer , videographer and wow-factor moments . We borrowed the bow ties and veil from friends . We chose to have a big arbour with flowers at the top , so they were in most photos where our faces are framed . We had very few flowers on the reception tables and let the grazing platters take the show
3 . Say I Do was great for invites and sending updates to guests . I sent regular emails in the lead-up to the wedding .
4 . Organise an after-party destination as most weddings finish at 11 pm .
5 . Take the week off before the wedding . You ’ ll be thankful you had the extra time for your wedding prep appointments and to answer last-minute questions .
See Ash & Trav ’ s big-fun Brisbane wedding on p . 53 .
PHOTO : LIFE AND LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY
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