Before my best friend told me she was getting married a couple of months ago, all I knew about wedding organization was what I saw on Bridezillas and The Wedding Planner (movie), and judging by how the latter one unfolded, I wasn’t exactly a maid of honor to wish for. Still, as every good friend, I offered my assistance with the organization, and as every good bridezilla, my BFF was thrilled to have me.
I’ve equipped myself with my best Monica Geller attitude (yeah, with the scrapbook and all, minus the headphones) and started planning her dream wedding. It was bumpy, but you know how they say: a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. Ahead, you will find what I’ve learned since.
Guests before Venues
All girls have dreams of a perfect wedding venue but stop your friend from daydreaming before you count the exact number of guests she’ll invite to the ceremony. You can’t book the Plaza with 20 or so guests. Prepare the invitations you’ve chosen for the engagement party and include RSVPs. Decide whether you’ll include a +1 option.
Photo Courtesy The Engagement Is a Big Thing Too
With all the fuss and mess about wedding planning, we sometimes forget that the moment when the couple decided to tie the knot is equally as important, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed. The engaged couple will be too excited to think about it, but they will regret not celebrating this moment. Enters the maid of honour who should gather a group of friends and prepare an awesome engagement party. Here are a few tips for that:
- Decide on the venue (your backyard, your favorite club/pub, a restaurant, etc.).
- Invite a small, but well-chosen group of people.
- Have wedding-themed talks and games: e.g. you can prepare wedding stationery where you’ll choose customized invitations.
Photo Courtesy Look into the Crystal Weather Ball
If she wants an outdoor wedding, before settling on a date, you should look at the weather prognosis for that period, and see if that is even an option. Weather can also impact the choice of the wedding dress, so don’t miss this one out.
Money Isn’t Funny, but It’s Necessary
Oh, the money talks. Always awful, but nevertheless needed. Setting a budget is difficult, so help the bride-to-be to remain realistic. Paris wedding is lovely, but if the couple can’t afford it, an elegant hotel will have to do the trick.
Photo Courtesy Hungry and Thirsty Guests Are a No-No
There is a simple formula for choosing a wedding menu: trust no one, and taste everything. It might be a good idea to ask the guests if someone has a food allergy, though. As for the drinks – the more the merrier.
Do the Boring Things First
Do the boring things, such as the wedding licenses, booking an officiant, open-air ceremony permits, and similar legal trinkets as soon as possible. The sooner you get them off the table, the sooner you’ll be able to get to the fun stuff.
Photo Courtesy Seriously, Write Everything Down
Before you start the fun, make a checklist, and mark the to-do’s as you go. You’d be surprised just how easy is to forget something, like the wedding bouquet (I’m a horrible maid of honor, aren’t I?).
Photo Courtesy THE Dress Is Everything
It’s her special day, and she’s been dreaming about that dress ever since she saw Cinderella. Gather a team of two or three people who get the bride’s taste, and go together to the wedding boutique. Let her try as many dresses as she can, she’ll know what the right one is as soon as she puts it on.
Photo Courtesy The Wedding VTF: Venue, Trinkets, Flowers
The VTFs of every wedding – venue, trinkets (decor that includes centerpieces, signs, guest book, photographer, and basically everything you can think of), and flowers – but not only her bouquet but also the arrangements at the aisle and the entire venue. Try to have one idea that will set the tone for everything, e.g. choose a color palette first.
In the end, don’t let anyone steal the bride’s (and groom’s) thunder. It’s her special day, and no one, but really no one, should bother or annoy her (trust me on that).
