Wedding planning – amazing, right? Except when the limits of your patience are tested. Here are 11 things that annoy real brides – have they happened to you?
The realisation – I have to stay the same weight for weeks and weeks, because of the dress! If you’re already fit as a fiddle in a manner of an Olympic gymnast, then that probably isn’t a problem you have to worry about. So you wanted to lose or gain some more weight before the wedding, and the dress is finally the perfect fit for you – now you’ve to stay this exact weight for the next five months! Great.
Pinterest & Etsy. When you started the planning, it was like a treasure chest of ideas. Now, it’s like a treasure chest that’s fallen apart and you have to DIY it back together. How’s everything so perfect, and apparently takes like 11 minutes to make? 11 months, more like…
Your wedding info isn’t in a galaxy far, far away. You’ve set up a jazzy wedding website or a blog. You’ve put all the essentials in the invitations, including a little map. And yet, the questions still keep coming, thick and fast! When is it, where is it, where can I stay, is there a veg option, can I bring a plus-one, can I bring my baby, which church… argh. Everything you need to know is in the invite! Call me one more time, and no dessert for you! And by the way…
… you still haven’t sent back the RSVP! I hope you’re keeping it because it’s so pretty! But if you’re not, just put an x in the appropriate box and mail it back. I’ve even included a stamp. Or email me. I’ll even take a pigeon. Just please tell me if you’re coming or not. The final numbers are due next week, and if you miss the deadline, you’ll be sitting by the loos. Outside.
Photo by Savo Photography
An unexpected +1. There was a choice of two boxes on the RSVP card – yes, you’ll be there. Or no, you won’t. You’ve gone and drawn a third box and put a +1 next to it. Excuse me for a moment while I go outside to breathe deeply, and figure out what to do next.
The other half. I love you and I can’t wait to marry you. But if you say ‘yes, honey, I’m ok with whatever you want’ one more time when I ask for your opinion, you’ll be sitting by the loos. Outside. At your own wedding.
Where are going on your honeymoon? When are you going to have a baby? Ok, I’m great at planning, but the wedding is still 11 months away. One life event at a time, Auntie Anne.
Thanks, everyone, for your advice. ‘If I were you, I would…’ are words that should come with a penalty. Each bride should carry a stylish little coin purse with her at all times, and everyone who utters this phrase has to then put €1 coin in the purse. That’ll pay for the wedding very nicely, thank you very much!
Photo courtesy of The Knot
The guest list. The wondering why my mam wants me to invite people I haven’t seen since my 5th birthday party, but who expect to be at my wedding and will never speak to me again if they aren’t. Even though they’re not actually speaking to me now.
Things take… how long? You’re trying to do your timings for the day… you call the makeup artist, the photographer, the limo guy… turns out, you’re going to have to get up at 3am on your wedding day to fit everything in. Best go to sleep at noon the day before!
Bridesmaids – tell me your problems BEFORE I buy the dresses. If you hate your legs, have a regrettable back tattoo, or you think your elbows are ugly, tell me in advance. If I know, I could keep it all in mind when I shop, and try to do my best. But if I don’t know, then I’m sorry, your elbows may just have to be seen by the world. And preserved in photos until the end of time.
Photo from Louise & Joe’s real wedding by The Fennells
Main photo from Craig & Laura’s real wedding by Hu O’Reilly Photography
