Wedding Planning tips from the 'just married'

This insightful post is coming to us from a friend of Social Betty who got married in September. We asked her if she could give us a couple tips that she had for other brides-to-be out there now that she has been through the planning and the big day. So here are some lovely nuggets of info from a new wife to future ones:

• If you can't afford to hire a planner for the wedding think about hiring one for just the day of. This allows you to really enjoy the day and not stress about all the little things like where the programs are. If you can't afford to do that make sure you have a personal attendant or a family member that can do the final setup and worry for you.

• There are many places that you can cut corners in terms of budget, but do not cut corners on a photographer. We allowed a family friend to take our pictures and it was a mess. The photos were not great and the person actually lost one of the memory cards before uploading them, so they are gone forever. The photos of the day not only document the event, they bring all the wonderful memories of it. Make sure there is someone there to really capture that.

• If you are having a DJ ask your guests for song requests. This helped keep OUR music interesting to OUR guests. DJs often play the same songs at every wedding and not everyone has the same taste in tunes.

• Find the dress of your dreams and be willing to find it anywhere. The dress can make or break the day and you never know where you will find it. So be willing to try lots of places and when you try it on you will know.

• Don't try to do the printing of save the dates and invitations yourself. It is super time consuming, nerve racking, and after paper and ink it costs just much as hiring someone to do it for you.

• Look on Etsy.com for accessories. My headpiece was handmade for me and I got a million complements on it.

• Even if you are not the bridezilla type, they day before and of is very stressful and can get to you. If you end up crying at some point about something little, don't worry it happens to us all.

• Try and take it all in. The day is about you and your partner and people are there to celebrate a fun new adventure in your life

Thanks you so much for all the great tips and so many congrats on your new life together.