HEY AGAIN!
Or if not again, welcome to The Attitude Of Adventure Blog!
I'm Morgan Deane and my mission with this blog is to give great, applicable advice and funny stories, so that you get a laugh, leave with something helpful, and keep coming back!
I'm a Christ follower, I'm married to the LOVE of my life, we're parents to Winston BARKtholomew Deane the Goldendoodle, and I love drinking homemade smoothies every morning!
{Want to know More About Me? Check it out!}
And now, for the reason you came here today!
I'm Morgan Deane and my mission with this blog is to give great, applicable advice and funny stories, so that you get a laugh, leave with something helpful, and keep coming back!
I'm a Christ follower, I'm married to the LOVE of my life, we're parents to Winston BARKtholomew Deane the Goldendoodle, and I love drinking homemade smoothies every morning!
{Want to know More About Me? Check it out!}
And now, for the reason you came here today!
I love being a wife! Married life is the freakin best! But getting from dating to married was not the most fun. The engagement season quickly went from ecstatic to dramatic. Andy and I both look back and are so glad it's over. But why is it so stressful? As I started thinking about it, I realized there are some things I would tell myself if I could go back in time.
THINGS WE SHOULD HAVE DONE
Dated More
Oh goodness, yes! The only reason I would have wanted to spend more time in the engagement
season is because we pretty much stopped going on dates. Anytime we were together, we talked about the wedding. Have you booked the photographer? Did you talk with the DJ? When are we going to the cake tasting? Anytime we weren't talking about the wedding, we were so exhausted that we'd just plop down and watch some Netflix. We stopped connecting on a relational level and we stopped going on fun dates.
Spent More Time Planning The Day Of Schedule
Honestly, there's not a ton more that I could have done, but we only had the venue for a total of 5 hours. 2 for set-up, photography, getting dressed + makeup, and being ready to walk down the aisle, then 3 hours for the ceremony and reception. It was very chaotic, but we made it! I had written down where everything would go and everything that I had brought, but I didn't organize it well in the boxes and baskets. People were running around trying to get stuff in place that they couldn't even find. Another thing that happened was I didn't say where to put the toss bouquet and we held up the toss when we couldn't find it. Awkward. I wish that I had prepared that piece better.
Created A Do-Not-Playlist
The DJ was something that Andy had taken on and I tried to stay uninvolved because I trusted him,
but even if I had gotten involved, I think our DJ still would have went off the rails. He was good at engaging the crowd, but he didn't play hardly any of the songs we gave him (which was like 5 hours worth--way more than he needed.) He played a lot of his own music, which I tried not to let bother me, but when you go in with expectations, it's hard to let them go. I wish that we had created a Do-Not-Playlist for him so that we could make sure to avoid songs we didn't like or want.
Videographer
This is one that we're not actually sad we didn't have, but a lot of people regret not getting a videographer. Much like in last week's post, I would definitely suggest getting a professional artist with experience and a portfolio. This will be worth the money you'll spend.
Spent Money To Preserve Bouquet
This was something that I went back and forth on and ultimately decided against. Honestly, I'm not sure that it would have worked with the bouquet I had since it was falling apart by the end of the night. But I would love to have it in a shadow box frame, preserved forever. It really was a beautiful bouquet!
Spent More Time Writing Down Photos I Wanted
Looking back, I wish that I had gotten photos with more people and more pictures of our decor. I wish that I had pictures with Andy and his sister, as well as Andy, his parents and sister. I also wish I had individual photos with each of my siblings. I don't have any evidence that we had the photo booth which is disappointing considering the amount of time it took to prepare. The day goes by so fast. Make sure you have all the photos you want taken written down and given to your photographer ahead of time.
Pinned Up The Bustle Before Entering The Reception
We took tons of photos after the ceremony and our day-of
coordinator was stressing that we were taking longer than the schedule called for. I wasn't worried about it, but as soon as we were done, we were rushed inside to be announced as Mr. & Mrs. Andy Deane. In the chaos, I forgot about the bustle until we were about to walk in to the dance floor. We made it through the first dance just fine, but there was very little turning so that Andy wouldn't step on the back of the dress.
Brought Less Personal Decor
The venue had a lot of decor, but I had insisted on bringing some of my own. I worked so hard on pieces that didn't even get seen. One was the photo booth spot outside. There was a nice bench right outside of the garden area we got married in. I had brought a pretty chandelier to hang over it, a sign with props, and a frame that had our wedding hashtag. I think only 3 people ended up using it.
Kept Everyone There For The Send-Off
We didn't make it clear that there would be a sparkler send off after the reception ended, so a few
guests left with only 30 minutes to go. I think they would have stuck around if they'd have known. I wish that we had asked the DJ to make an announcement about it.
Oh goodness, yes! The only reason I would have wanted to spend more time in the engagement season is because we pretty much stopped going on dates. Anytime we were together, we talked about the wedding. Have you booked the photographer? Did you talk with the DJ? When are we going to the cake tasting? Anytime we weren't talking about the wedding, we were so exhausted that we'd just plop down and watch some Netflix. We stopped connecting on a relational level and we stopped going on fun dates.
Spent More Time Planning The Day Of Schedule
Honestly, there's not a ton more that I could have done, but we only had the venue for a total of 5 hours. 2 for set-up, photography, getting dressed + makeup, and being ready to walk down the aisle, then 3 hours for the ceremony and reception. It was very chaotic, but we made it! I had written down where everything would go and everything that I had brought, but I didn't organize it well in the boxes and baskets. People were running around trying to get stuff in place that they couldn't even find. Another thing that happened was I didn't say where to put the toss bouquet and we held up the toss when we couldn't find it. Awkward. I wish that I had prepared that piece better.
Created A Do-Not-Playlist
The DJ was something that Andy had taken on and I tried to stay uninvolved because I trusted him, but even if I had gotten involved, I think our DJ still would have went off the rails. He was good at engaging the crowd, but he didn't play hardly any of the songs we gave him (which was like 5 hours worth--way more than he needed.) He played a lot of his own music, which I tried not to let bother me, but when you go in with expectations, it's hard to let them go. I wish that we had created a Do-Not-Playlist for him so that we could make sure to avoid songs we didn't like or want.
Videographer
This is one that we're not actually sad we didn't have, but a lot of people regret not getting a videographer. Much like in last week's post, I would definitely suggest getting a professional artist with experience and a portfolio. This will be worth the money you'll spend.
Spent Money To Preserve Bouquet
Spent More Time Writing Down Photos I Wanted
Looking back, I wish that I had gotten photos with more people and more pictures of our decor. I wish that I had pictures with Andy and his sister, as well as Andy, his parents and sister. I also wish I had individual photos with each of my siblings. I don't have any evidence that we had the photo booth which is disappointing considering the amount of time it took to prepare. The day goes by so fast. Make sure you have all the photos you want taken written down and given to your photographer ahead of time.
Pinned Up The Bustle Before Entering The Reception
We took tons of photos after the ceremony and our day-ofcoordinator was stressing that we were taking longer than the schedule called for. I wasn't worried about it, but as soon as we were done, we were rushed inside to be announced as Mr. & Mrs. Andy Deane. In the chaos, I forgot about the bustle until we were about to walk in to the dance floor. We made it through the first dance just fine, but there was very little turning so that Andy wouldn't step on the back of the dress.
Brought Less Personal Decor
The venue had a lot of decor, but I had insisted on bringing some of my own. I worked so hard on pieces that didn't even get seen. One was the photo booth spot outside. There was a nice bench right outside of the garden area we got married in. I had brought a pretty chandelier to hang over it, a sign with props, and a frame that had our wedding hashtag. I think only 3 people ended up using it.
Kept Everyone There For The Send-Off
We didn't make it clear that there would be a sparkler send off after the reception ended, so a few guests left with only 30 minutes to go. I think they would have stuck around if they'd have known. I wish that we had asked the DJ to make an announcement about it.
THINGS THAT WE WOULD HAVE CHANGED
Our DJ
Good gracious. Like I said above, we had some issues with him the day of. If I could go back, I
would look into it more and meet with him in person before the event. All of the communication between him and Andy was over email. I remember seeing him on the wedding day and thinking, "Who is that? He wasn't invited." and then got whisked away before I could think about it further.
Given Better Gifts To Bridal Party
We were so concerned about saving money on all areas that we let this one slip. I don't remember what I got for the bridesmaids and I know we didn't get anything for the groomsmen. The gifts for our parents couldn't have come close to saying thank you for all their help and support during this season. I wish that I would have budgeted more for each of these people and really thanked them well. Gift giving has never been a strength of mine. I wish that I would have put more thought into it.
Put Someone In Charge Of The Guest Book
This is definitely something I wish I had done. We got a few people who signed it, but not many. I wish that we would have had it on a table when people walked into the garden. Or maybe passed it around the room after the ceremony as they waited to eat while we took pictures with the bridal party.
We Would Have Gotten A Limo
We went back and forth on if we should and decided against it just because of the cost. Looking back, it definitely wasn't a must, but how nice would that be? And the pictures? So fun!
Made Sure The Bustle Would Stay Secure
I had ordered my dress online and got it slightly altered to fit perfectly. It took several visits to get the top just right and by the time it was finished, I was just so ready to have my dress and move on. I should have paid more attention to the bustle. She did a great job with the top, but only put a tiny pin to keep the bustle up. It wasn't very long into the reception that I accidentally stepped on it and it fell out. For the rest of the night, I was fighting with it and trying to use safety pins to keep it up. This is for sure not how a bride dreams of spending her wedding reception.
Good gracious. Like I said above, we had some issues with him the day of. If I could go back, Iwould look into it more and meet with him in person before the event. All of the communication between him and Andy was over email. I remember seeing him on the wedding day and thinking, "Who is that? He wasn't invited." and then got whisked away before I could think about it further.
Given Better Gifts To Bridal Party
We were so concerned about saving money on all areas that we let this one slip. I don't remember what I got for the bridesmaids and I know we didn't get anything for the groomsmen. The gifts for our parents couldn't have come close to saying thank you for all their help and support during this season. I wish that I would have budgeted more for each of these people and really thanked them well. Gift giving has never been a strength of mine. I wish that I would have put more thought into it.
Put Someone In Charge Of The Guest Book
We Would Have Gotten A Limo
We went back and forth on if we should and decided against it just because of the cost. Looking back, it definitely wasn't a must, but how nice would that be? And the pictures? So fun!
Made Sure The Bustle Would Stay Secure
I had ordered my dress online and got it slightly altered to fit perfectly. It took several visits to get the top just right and by the time it was finished, I was just so ready to have my dress and move on. I should have paid more attention to the bustle. She did a great job with the top, but only put a tiny pin to keep the bustle up. It wasn't very long into the reception that I accidentally stepped on it and it fell out. For the rest of the night, I was fighting with it and trying to use safety pins to keep it up. This is for sure not how a bride dreams of spending her wedding reception.
THINGS WE DIDN'T NEED
Stress Over Seating Chart
I put SO much time and stress into who would sit where and who knows who and how do we make sure the guests from out of town feel welcome? Ultimately, it didn't even matter because most people just sat where they wanted. I wouldn't have assigned seats at all if I did it over again.
Party Favors
Our favors were actually root beer floats! They were fun and some of the guests enjoyed them, but
they were a lot of work to put together and not worth the time and money. If I did favors at all, it would have been something smaller and less extravagant I think.
Emotional Last Minute Guest List Adds
I don't even want to talk about this one--there was so much drama because of last minute guest list adds. There were a few family members who didn't even come and then an acquaintance that had no business being at our wedding. When you've got your guest list, stick with it. As you get closer to the wedding, you'll be tempted to add people, but don't do it. Just don't.
I put SO much time and stress into who would sit where and who knows who and how do we make sure the guests from out of town feel welcome? Ultimately, it didn't even matter because most people just sat where they wanted. I wouldn't have assigned seats at all if I did it over again.
Party Favors
Our favors were actually root beer floats! They were fun and some of the guests enjoyed them, but they were a lot of work to put together and not worth the time and money. If I did favors at all, it would have been something smaller and less extravagant I think.
Emotional Last Minute Guest List Adds
I don't even want to talk about this one--there was so much drama because of last minute guest list adds. There were a few family members who didn't even come and then an acquaintance that had no business being at our wedding. When you've got your guest list, stick with it. As you get closer to the wedding, you'll be tempted to add people, but don't do it. Just don't.
THAT'S IT!
Y'all, we learned a LOT about planning a wedding. And though we love attending other's weddings, we always look at each other and sigh great sighs of relief that the engagement season is over for us.
Want to know more? Let me know! I'd be more than happy to share some of the most helpful resources to us.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
I hope you enjoyed today's topic!
If you want to see more by me, check out my full list of blog posts.
Comment below or shoot me an email at AttitudeOfAdventure@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, & Facebook @AttitudeOfAdventure
If you want to see more by me, check out my full list of blog posts.
Comment below or shoot me an email at AttitudeOfAdventure@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, & Facebook @AttitudeOfAdventure
