hindsight bride: things i wish we'd done

Yesterday, The Hindsight Bride shared with us some things that she LOVED about her wedding.  Today, she shares the things she wish she had done.  I think we could all write up a list like this :-)

THINGS I WISH I HAD DONE

1)  Stayed true to my original priorities

When I wrote out an initial list with my top five priorities, photography was #5. As time when on, and D. and I spent countless hours on DIY projects, photography had climbed to one of my very top priorities. I wanted to remember every little detail. I emphasized this to the student photographer I had hired in an effort to save money. I took a real chance hiring a student photographer and lost. The pictures did not come out--at all.

2)  Pampered myself a bit more

The week before the wedding I was a DIY-ing fool. I was baking cakes, ironing bunting, and setting up the venue. I had no time for my hair or nails. The day of, I was running around piping frosting on my cake, decorating the ceremony site, and setting up tables. I had no time for hair and makeup. Not only did I not have a more polished bridal look, I also missed out on having some girl time with the Moms, my niece, and my bridesmaid.

3)  Spent more time with my mom

For 15 years, I have lived over 1000 miles away from my family. I see my mom once a year at best and once every three years at worst. It is a rare treat to talk to my mom face-to-face. Although my parents stayed in NC for nearly a week, the flurry of wedding day preparations prevented us from spending much time together. In hindsight, I wish I had spend some alone time with my mom. Maybe a spa day, or just going out to lunch together.

4)  Written our own vows

We recited the classic vows from the common book of prayer. In many ways I liked the formality and tradition of this type of ceremony. However, there are so many things that make D. special to me. I wish I had taken the opportunity to declare in front of our friends and family exactly how and why I love my husband so much.

5)  Kept a private journal of the process

As I talk to family and friends and reflect on our wedding for blogging purposes, I realize that I am fast forgetting some of the smaller details. I wish I had kept a small private journal to chronicle the process. For example, I wish I would have written down my thoughts the day I made the cake, or the day after the wedding when D. and I woke up in a lux B&B. The stuff that wouldn’t immediately go on a wedsite or a blog. I wish I had taken the time to write so my future self could enjoy and remember some of the smaller moments.

6)  Sent out save the dates:

Like Jes, we had a Memorial Weekend wedding. We thought about sending Save the Date Cards, but so many of our guests were from the area, we figured they weren’t really needed. Approximately 35% of our guests sent regrets, saying they had already made plans for Memorial Day. It was a bit disappointing.