After many, many weddings where I’ve see all sorts of things from brides hyperventilating over the “wrong” shade of purple in the flowers, dresses with no top hooks, shoes missing, and groomsmen drunk before the wedding begins, I decided to list a few things that will help keep you sane.  There are any number of things that can gone wrong, and they will  – but  if you follow these rules, you can manage most anything that comes your way.

Rule #1 – Remember the Budget.  You cannot indulge every whim.  Yes, it’s your day, but maintaining your perspective on the entire wedding and what’s important will help you say “No” to those hand engraved invitations that are to die for, but three times the budget.  There is a world of amazing options available and if you find yourself tempted by jaw dropping expenses, remember Rule #1.  Your budget was set keeping in mind what’s important to you.  It might have been great photography or a fabulous honeymoon.  Splurge on the important things.  Will those other expensive obsessions add to what’s important?   Do not impulse buy.  A beautiful event can be created without being expensive.

Rule #2 – Don’t have unrealistic weight expectations.  He loves you.  He loves you because you are you.   He has proposed.  Crash dieting will make you exhausted, irritable and cranky.  Enjoy the wedding planning.  The wedding is a process…so make the planning fun and a memorable part of the event.  Don’t ruin the experience with a poor attitude.

Rule #3 – Keep the Guest List in check.  This is your celebration.  Invite only friends and family who you want to share this day with.  Besides adding significant expense, do you really want to celebrate the most important event of your life with people you’ll never see again?

Rule #4 – Don’t Micro Manage Every Detail.  One of the many areas where many brides go crazy is the bridal registry.  They start second guessing every decision and then on-line options allow you to review and revise.  And other things like Seating Charts.  Brides are constantly revising these charts.  These are just two examples of details that can overwhelm you.  Make a decision and move forward.

Rule #5 – Take a day off from all wedding planning.  Just enjoy the moment of the two of you being together.  Do something fun…but non wedding related.  Do this ever so often and don’t let the stress of wedding planning ruining the intimacy you share.

Rule #6 – On Your Wedding Day share Personal Time for Just the Two of You.  You will be celebrating with family and friends all day.  Take 20 to 30 minutes between the ceremony and the reception and share some one on one time.   You are now Mr.  & Mrs. and you need to be able to share your feelings and excitement together – alone.

Rule #7 – Go with the Flow.  Your photos will reflect the story of your day.  Choose a photographer that will capture your story in a natural, unobtrusive manner.  You’ll want to remember the memory, not the photographer poising you and saying, “Now embrace and pretend to kiss”.    Rule #10 says to “Enjoy & Have Fun at your wedding, so hire a photographer that is like a fly-on-the wall, and go party.

Rule #8 – Ask for help.  You have bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to help you.  If you need something, don’t hesitate to ask.  That’s part of their job.  Communicate your needs and trust them to handle the job.

Rule #9 – Expect the Unexpected.  Acknowledge that weddings can’t be scripted and run entirely as planned.   Things will go wrong.  Do you become a foot stomping bridezilla or do you  acknowledge that your main goal is to have a wonderful time where love, friendship, and fun are the emotions of the day.  No one will remember that the “purple” flowers were not dark enough.  What they will remember is how much fun they had sharing your celebration.

Rule 10 – Enjoy & Have Fun at your Wedding.