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People Are Sharing Wedding Hacks That Anyone Who’s Getting Married Should Check Out (25 Pics)
Wedding season is upon us and I’m sure that you, just like me, have been completely bombarded by an endless stream of utterly fabulous photos of your friends getting married in your social media feeds. And we’re all very happy for them! But not all of us realize how much effort it takes to organize a great wedding and then to live a happy married life. Unexpected things can and do happen and it’s up to us to navigate the surprises and failures with grace, style, and a stunning and stylish dress.
Fortunately for us, the internet is an inexhaustible fountain of advice. And r/LifeProTips is one of the best places around if you’re looking for clear, concise, and accurate life advice. We’ve collected some of the community members’ best wedding hacks and decided to share them with you. Upvote the ones that you found the most useful as you scroll down and if you’ve got any awesome ones to share with us, let us know in the comments.
I spoke about one of the most important parts of the wedding for many people—the bride’s dress—with Anna and Sarah from The Wedding Society. They explained to Bored Panda how to deal with the pressure of wanting to look ‘perfect’ and that, at the end of the day, what truly matters is the marriage, not the party. You’ll find our interview with them below, dear Pandas.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Before you propose, you and your partner should already have agreed to get engaged. That way the proposal can be a fun surprise, without fear of rejection.
If you are ready to get married to your partner, speak frankly and honestly with them about it BEFORE you start planning a proposal. Have a real discussion about your future together, the big items that affect a marriage(finances, family, kids, careers, etc) and decide if you are BOTH ready to get married to each other.
It’s a huge decision, and nobody should be put in the stressful position of having to decide in a single moment, or say No and hurt someone that they care about.
Once you know that they’re on board 100%, you can plan the most elaborate or intimate or special proposal surprise that you know your partner would want. You can purchase the ring and know it won’t be wasted. You can build up the tension for as long as you want until the big proposal day arrives and you both can enjoy it without anxiety or doubt.
The engagement should be planned so the proposal can be a surprise!
MiriPanda 4 years ago
I'll never understand the purpose of proposals, not these days anyways. Two adults who love each other have decided to spend their future together and want to get married, then why not simply start planning the wedding? Have a (engagement) party by all means, but why the proposal, why 'surprise', why 'big' or 'elaborate'? It sounds so fake when the decision has already been agreed upon, and if not, then a proposal can indeed be stressful and/or go terrible wrong.
Joonscrab 4 years ago
I mean if they want it, why not lol.. The point is to let people choose what they want to do
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A B C 4 years ago
"Wedding hack"? This is called common sense, but there are so many people lacking such sense that you need "hacks" and "life pro tips" for everything nowadays. I'm somewhat astonished nobody explained to me how to poop yet.
Dynein 4 years ago
History is littered with ignorant and selfish people - nothing new there except that this fact is much more difficult to ignore nowadays. I think the biggest problem is that it's nigh impossible to teach self-awareness when it isn't there already.
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Miss Cris 4 years ago
I don't understand why it has to be surprise for a woman. In a healthy couple, both have talken about it before so they boyh know they're going to marry (if they wanto to, of coirse). So she has to be always with the anxiety of a surprise in any moment, may be when she doesn't feel enough pretty for an insta pic, or with lots of people even if she's introvert or reserved, and all that for a selfish man that wants to be the centre of attention. Also, the actual special and romantic moments are when really saying for first time "I love you" or when talking about plans and future, not that.
Mimi M 4 years ago
Did you say yes - and what happened after? How did it work out?
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Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
When a person puts forward a plan, that's a proposal. If person A opens a conversation about wanting to get married, that's a proposal. If person B agrees, guess what - you're engaged. You've both agreed you've found the perfect person you want to spend the rest of your life with so anything after that (ring, down on one knee, party,etc) is gilding the lily.
ChickyChicky 4 years ago
True, but some people like gilding. Let them have their fun.
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RELATED:
#2
After your wedding, ask the florist for a list of the flower in your spouse’s bouquet.
I did it and have been able to buy my wife flower arrangements with the same types of flowers that were in her wedding bouquet on special wedding anniversaries (e.g., 1st, 5th, 10th, the year we became parents, etc.). I also keep a photo of the bouquet to show the florist. She was so surprised the first time I did it. It went over really well. She immediately recognized that all of the flowers had been in her bouquet
Miss Cris 4 years ago
If you take the pic, you don't need the list of the names. The frorist will know.
Monday 4 years ago
Yes but it's way easier to order flowers online or over the phone if you have the names.
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Diana Schlafer 1 year ago
I saved all my receipts and cancelled checks in my wedding binder. For our tenth anniversary my husband found the old receipt, took it to the original florist, and had them remake my bouquet. Make it easy for them.
#3
Tell the DJ at your wedding NOT to give the mic to anyone...
...under any circumstances unless they have received verbal permission from you or your wife/husband. This is any easy way to avoid people proposing, announcing pregnancy or preventing people from speaking when you don’t want them to
Andy Acceber 4 years ago
Or, just don't invite people who would do this to your wedding. If your friends will attempt to one-up you at your own wedding, you need new friends who actually care about you.
SoozeeQ 4 years ago
Ah yes, that's all well and good, but unfortunately, it's sometimes been the family members who do this! (I'm looking at you, Meghan at Eugenie's wedding).
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Angela Brisebois 4 years ago
Ugh. This happened to my sister, she was so so upset and to this day the guy that did it hasn't apologized.
Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson 4 years ago
Or ask the bride first if it's okay to propose, my grandmother had a best friend ask her and she helped arrange the proposal. I wouldn't have a problem if a friend asked me, but if it was spontaneous that's another story.
Bella, Your Kitty-Loving Queen 4 years ago
Ugh I hate it when people propose or announce pregnancy at someone else’s wedding. Find your own moment please!!!
Anna and Sarah went into detail with Bored Panda about the idea of the ‘perfect wedding dress.’ According to them, while the dress is an important part of the event, it’s still not at the core of what the wedding and marriage are all about.
“The concept of a ‘perfect wedding dress’ really only matters deeply to those who are probably focusing on the wrong thing,” Anna and Sarah said that if you find yourself obsessing about finding the perfect dress, you need to take a step back and reevaluate the hierarchy of things that are important to you, including why you’re getting married in the first place.
#4
Getting married and looking for a great groomsmen gift? Give something useful.
I've been married over 25 years, and attended/ been in many weddings over the years.
The best gift I ever received was about 20 years ago from my college roommate who's wedding I was in as a groomsman. It was a hammer, and a very nice hammer at that. I imagine it was in the $30-40 range. Great balance and weight.
At the time I thought "oh a hammer.... what the h*ll am I going to do with this?"
But then I moved out of my apartment, got a house and had a few kids. With every home improvement, swingset, outdoor project the hammer got used.
Once in a while I take a picture of the current project with the hammer in the shot and text it too him so that he knows I still use it.
I don't remember or still have any of the shot glasses or cheap beer steins, they were lost years ago. But not the hammer.
So think of something that will be practical beyond the next bachelor party and give a great groomsmen gift.
Catlady6000 4 years ago
You can at most jewelry stores, depending on if it's steel or iron, otherwise a metalworks shop. Don't get it done on the handle, it can break and be replaced
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fire bug 4 years ago
I gave an engraved multi tool. I know at least two of the guys still carry it with them. That was 15 years ago this week. :)
Arthur Waite 4 years ago
Along the same lines - I went to my local sporting-goods store and bought Swiss Army knives for each of my groomsmen and Best Man. (That's Victorinox, for Europeans among you.) I selected the appropriate style based on the person who was to receive it - an outdoorsman, a couple of office workers, a carpenter, a computer nerd. All were Big Success, and I think most are still in use, many years after.
ADHORTATOR 4 years ago
That' s what I call a really good idea, a dedicated gift for each of your friends. Beside, you can' t do anything wrong with a SAK :-)
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Dynein 4 years ago
Quality everyday items are soooo rewarding in the long term, yet the instinct is high to not "waste" too much money on them. I know this well but would not have thought to give quality everyday stuff as gifts (on any occasion!). I'll definitely remember this.
Load More Replies... Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
The best groomsman gift I got was a subscription to a flower service. Went to a website and entered the missus details, picked out some arrangements, and for 1 year on every event (anniversary, valentines day, etc) what I picked was delivered. Included 3 "just because"bouquets that could be picked later.
Donna Leske 4 years ago
I love this. I still have my best hammer I got 30+ years ago. I guard it. Never lend it out.
Donkey boi 4 years ago
My sister got me a glass with her and her husband's name on it for being an usher. I mean seriously, why would I want a glass with someone else's name on it? My Best friend got me special lighter (will light in the wind and even when wet) with a custom engraving of a picture of him and me together, Something I use a lot (especially when camping) and remains special.
#5
Many problems in marriage are really just problems with being a bad roommate. Learn how to be a good roommate, and it will solve many of the main issues that plague marriages. This includes communicating about something bothering you before you get too angry to communicate properly.
Deborah B 4 years ago
Have a roommate contract and a chore rota. Don't make it one partner being responsible for nagging the other one into 'helping', or taking on the majority of the work. You can expand the relationship contract into other conflict-prone areas: "If at all possible, I will text or call if I will be more that half-an-hour late home, or if I will be more than ten minutes late to meet my partner somewhere." "I will consult my partner before making any off-budget expenditures over $x, or series of off-budget expenditures over $y. If I am unable to do so, or cannot wait for their agreement in an emergency situation, I will inform them as soon as possible." "I will not take on debt outside the limit of my existing credit-card of $z without first discussing with my partner." "I will keep my partner fully informed about my health, and any changes, medical recommendations or decisions. I will not go off birthcontrol or make long-term decisions affecting my fertility without notice."
lailyfnoor 4 years ago
I don't like having a roomate. So maybe I would never be married. But if I would, I'll try to be a good roomate
Tracy Costa 4 years ago (edited)
This is also good practice for conflict resolution. If you can peacefully and quickly resolve putting the towels in the hamper and picking up socks off the floor, when the big stuff happens, you are prepared to deal with it.
#6
The most important thing is the person standing at the other end of the aisle.
No one will remember what stationary you used, or the floral arraignments but they will remember the genuine moments that you and your SO shared with the special people in your lives.
Too many people get caught up in making the perfect Pinterest wedding that they forget the only thing that matters at the end of the day is you are getting to marry someone you love.
Karl Baxter 4 years ago
I think the whole wedding industry has a lot to answer for in terms of convincing people to spend ludicrous amounts of cash on pointless crap that no one will actually remember. Once you’ve fallen for that nonsense & families start to put their oars and their cash in, then you start to lose control, relatives you dislike get invited, people start bitching about the table they’re placed at and it becomes a total pain in the a**e. The best and most romantic wedding I’ve ever been to was a couple who fell out with their respective families over the bloated plans being made for them. Instead they booked a weekend in a picturesque city, invited a dozen friends and had a registry office ceremony. Following that, the wedding party went to the pub while the bride and groom had their photos taken in the local park before reconvening in a curry house for the wedding meal. Finally we bought a huge booze carry out and had a raucous party in the bridal suite of their hotel. Perfect! 😎
Miss Cris 4 years ago
Oh, no, the most important is be dressed as a princess for only once in your life, with as much people as possible saying you're beautiful and being the centre of attention of absolutelly everybody each second of one single day.
Marianne 4 years ago
Yes! The worst aspect of this is: the BRIDE wants to be the centre, not the COUPLE! Like it is about her only.
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Apachebathmat 4 years ago
I do believe the most important aspect of the day is the buffet, invite me to a wedding with no quiche and you’re dead to me from there after
Philly Bob Squires 4 years ago
And the frenched lamb chops and the shrimp tower! /s
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AzKhaleesi 4 years ago
Yea this is exactly where I'm at in the planning stages of my wedding. I had everything imagined and now almost 6 months out I'm like eff this and eff that. No one is gonna notice /remember. And at the end of the day I just want to marry my best friend.
Donkey boi 4 years ago
Because I don't like weddings, I tend to remember all the 'other stuff'. My Sisters flowers were shite fakes, her dress looked like a toilet roll cover from the 80's, the table centre pieces were just a fish bowel with some marbles in them, the reception venue was some fantastic upmarket manor house but quite bare and the cake could only have looked worse if I'd decorated it. My Best friend's wedding had the most beautiful flowers, his wife looked incredible in her dress, the reception venue wasn't great, but they made it great with all their little touches. Another friend just had a marque, in a field, with a Fish and chips van for food. All of them say it was the best day of their lives. The point is, your wedding is for you! So don't give 2 flying figs what other people think anyway!
Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
Everyone has different fantasies and should reach for them when they can as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. The couple who get married at the DMV (going on 15 years now) are just as in love as the couple with the $30K wedding (also 15 years now) but they both had different needs. Its when you forget the goal (get married) that the bridezilla/groomzilla become self destructive and start hurting more than themselves.
“There are literally thousands of incredible dresses directly available to you—it's almost a physical impossibility for only one to be right for you and, if that's how you're feeling, it's probably worth stepping back, taking a deep breath, and re-shifting your priorities,” the wedding experts suggested taking a calmer approach instead of stressing out over something that is unattainable. Perfection isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be and it’s best to avoid stress before your big day.
#7
If you are buying anything for your wedding, do not tell the vendors it’s for a wedding. Just say a party. Most companies charge 3-4x for weddings even if it’s the same stuff.
This includes cakes. You can just say it’s for a party before the wedding. Same cake. Hundreds of dollars cheaper...
If a vendor is attending the wedding, don’t try to bamboozle them. This is for stuff that you pick up (Tents, chairs, cake, lights, etc.)
Any vendors coming to the wedding should be prepared that it’s a wedding (band, photographer, caterer etc).
Miss Cris 4 years ago
"I'd like a cake like this and this...." * describing a typical wedding cake* "...but it's for a non wedding party, please".
Sue User 4 years ago
Oh, business idea. Wedding cakes for divorces. Like there is only one person on top, or a big jagged " cut" down the side.
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Joley Hidaka 4 years ago
This happened with our limo - for a wedding it was $400+. We called back later and booked it for a 'vacation' and it was $100...for the exact same trip.
The Frenchiest Fry 4 years ago
Companies like bakeries for cakes want to know if it's for a wedding and charge more bc they make sure that everything's PERFECT, and that there aren't any problems.
Kt 4 years ago
But why aren't they making sure every order they make is perfect and there are no issues....?
Load More Replies... Jupittance 4 years ago
This is a poor suggestion. The cake is usually delivered, so it won't work for the cake. Same with chairs, lights, and tents. And if any of it is late, or not to your liking, be prepared to shut the f**k up about it, because if it was just for your uncle's birthday, having the wrong chairs wouldn't be an issue.
Kt 4 years ago
Of course it would be an issue. If you have ordered something specific for a party and the wrong order is delivered, that's an issue for any party.
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#8
Before you start doing any wedding planning, make a wedding-only email account.
Do what I wish I did: Make a new email to give only to wedding vendors. That way, all of your wedding info will be together, and when the wedding is over, boom. No unnecessary wedding emails.
Catlady6000 4 years ago
I wish I had thought of it when I was job hunting. iI still get about a dozen texts a day for jobs I will never even qualify for. I mean, it'd be fun to drive a forklift, but it's not exactly in my portfolio
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Sill Marien 4 years ago
or you could just put a new tab or tag and your gmail will do it for you to keep it all in one place?
#9
Before you get married, have in-depth, planning discussions around: kids, money, housing, vacations, current debt, retirement, day to day expectations, pets, in-laws, transportation, and careers...don't assume anything. Ask the questions, ensure you are on the same page
A B C 4 years ago
Again, this is not a "wedding hack", but common sense. How f****d-up is our society that people need others to tell them BASICS like this?
Chris Meyers 4 years ago
yes and do not make decisions on potential. The best question someone asked me about a relationship: If nothing has changed about them in ten years, are you glad you stayed?" We broke up amicably very soon after. Also it is okay to love someone and find out that you are incompatible! Better to find out and not push to make things different.
Leslie Burleson 4 years ago
This is crazy. I've been married for 25 years. So many unexpected things happen. Things happen that will change your life. People plan and God laughs. Marry somebody you love because nothing else is assured. If you have such issues of control , I don't think you'll be happy with anyone.
Catlady6000 4 years ago (edited)
My daughter and her husband made an appointment for these. Each made a list of concerns and deal breakers, with insight from trusted friends and family. It wound up taking a few days to discuss, argue, compromise, agree, etc. They still review that list from time to time, with deal- breakers now listed as hurdles to overcome
Just saying 3 years ago
Most AITA posts that Bored Panda seems to feature are about couples who haven't done this.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
And get pre-marital counseling! Just having a third party to listen and help you understand each other better can be a huge help. I wasn't that into the idea beforehand, but a good gf of mine said it had done her and her SO a world of good. I was surprised how helpful it was. (I'm Catholic, and couldn't imagine getting marriage advice from someone whose job mandated they never get married, but secular counseling was fantastic!)
Anna and Sarah highlighted the fact that, unfortunately, far too many people are “caught up in the party and the image” of the wedding itself. They want to be in the spotlight, leave a lasting impression on their guests, and impress their closest family members, friends, and broader social circle.
#10
Ask for documentation of your SO’s finances before you get married or move in together. Then discuss financial expectations in depth. This could prevent surprises in the future.
What your SO tells you and what is true may not be the same thing. This doesn’t mean that they’re lying, but their perspective of their financial situation may be different from yours. And your assumptions about marital finances may not be the same.
My personal experience is that my own SO told me that they had school debt, but they also were a successful businesses owner. I did not know until after the fact that they had bills in collections, including very small bills that should have been easy to pay, and the business was not paying the bills. They were relying on parents and romantic partners to foot the expenses. They also had not filed taxes in years. I’m very lucky I didn’t end up responsible for their personal debts. I paid tens of thousands of dollars of community debt because I knew they wouldn’t and didn’t want it to affect my credit score.
Finances aren’t romantic, but it cannot be stressed enough that a lack of financial transparency can kill an otherwise good relationship. Love is difficult when your brain is occupied by consuming debt and whether you can make the next payment on the credit card because you know your spouse can’t or won’t. The loneliest I have ever been was while being married to someone who, among other things, was financially irresponsible.
Better yet, I would strongly recommend that every marriage starts with a prenuptial agreement that outlines what you expect from your partnership, both financially and otherwise. We often think of prenups as being for the rich and famous. But they provide legal protections and fairness that most state laws don’t provide. You can also craft fair resolutions that otherwise wouldn’t be possible in many contentious divorces.
A prenup is the means to a (sometimes) cheaper divorce if things go awry.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
And that's why you live together for s few years before you marry. If one of the parties has some expensive skeletons in the closet you can break up without any financial loss. He's still paying $300 per month for that Dodge Charger he wrecked 2 years ago? Fine, but it's not your problem and will never be your problem.
ChickyChicky 4 years ago
That doesn't always work though. Friend of mine is getting divorced because her husband hid thousands of dollars of charges for years and years. Living together wouldn't have helped. Showing each other the finances would have. His came out in the credit report when they tried to buy a house.
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Brandy Grote 4 years ago
Knowing their "spending style" is vital! An eat out every night spendthrift and a frugal saver will have it out on many occasions. We split finances, have separate bank accounts, and have agreed on equitable amounts for keeping the house. 18 years later, we are in better financial shape than ever, and still very happy together!
Dynein 4 years ago
Honestly, I'm not sure how you can be in a close relationship without knowing your partner's spending style and attitude towards money. I can't imagine that OP's SO had the behavior of someone who's responsible with money - surely he tended to gloss over details and was not very considerate with other everyday expenses? I reckon that looking back, there were a couple yellow flags at least. Admittedly I didn't really discuss finances with my boyfriend before moving together, but it was obvious that neither of us had a habit of spending much.
Load More Replies... Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
The prenup forces one of the conversations every couple should have before agreeing to get married. Most people don't get divorced because they "just fell out of love". Its usually over money, kids, responsibilities (I'm not picking up your socks/going to your family's house/working 2 jobs), or infidelity. The prenup gets the cards on the table in way that hopefully separates the dirty details from the emotions you have for each other.
Craig Reynolds 3 years ago
f there is significant debt on one party, then just don't get married until it's paid off. getting married or not does mean you love each other any more or less. In a way, marriage is just a form of legal entrapment that can make you legally responsible for things you never otherwise would have been.
Leslie Burleson 4 years ago
If Finances can break your love , you shouldn't be getting married anyways.
Kt 4 years ago
I think hidden finances and lies are different. If someone is lying about rhat, how do you trust them again?
Load More Replies... Ria C. 4 years ago
People need to understand the other person's credit is tied to their social security number in the U.S. and will not affect your credit, it's not luck, it's a fact. But it seems like this person also held some responsibility for the debt as well based on the info in the third paragraph.
v 4 years ago
Depending on the jurisdiction in the U.S. personal debt can become joint debt by virtue of marriage or number of years of marriage much the same as personal investments or savings become joint investments or savings. My mom had personal investments from the life insurance of her prior husband and had to give over half of it in the divorce from the P.O.S. she married after, even though he contributed nothing to it. Just because they were married for a couple of years over the cutoff.
Load More Replies... #11
If you're getting married and hire a DJ/band, tell them to record their set.
After being married for a few years, I really wish I could go back and listen to a few hours of our DJ spinning records to the night that felt like flew by in minutes. Not to mention having it for years and years to come.
SoozeeQ 4 years ago
This is a great idea. (Plus, the guy in this pic, looks like Simon Baker from The Mentalist.
Night Owl 4 years ago
Patrick Jane! He really does a little. It's the hair and three-piece-suit, but Jane didn't wear a tie ... except in the last episode for his wedding (I just checked)
Load More Replies... Donkey boi 4 years ago
This is a great idea. Going away for your anniversary, there's your travel playlist!
#12
I was married in a small village. Like I'm talking about 50 residents in total. I approached the local PTA about food. We had a small ceremony and I figured why not see if the PTA could do it. All it cost (apart from the food cost and buffet set up) was a donation to the schools PTA. 40 people were fed a 3 course meal with their choice of 3 meats for under $400. We got what we wanted and we helped a struggling school. Win-win
Night Owl 4 years ago (edited)
For anyone else not knowing what PTA stands for: I guess it's Parent-Teacher Association (thanks, google)
Niffler_13 4 years ago
Could apply to any organization that does food based fundraisers or has space.
Kt 4 years ago
Parent-techer association i think. So yeah, to do with schools.
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Catlady6000 4 years ago
Some schools will also rent their gyms, auditoriums or cafeterias during school breaks. You will most likely be responsible for clean up. That and have the PTA cater would be awesome
However, when the desire to impress others becomes your number one priority, your focus during the actual wedding becomes split and moves away from celebrating the love that two people share toward social pressure. And that’s something that can leave you feeling miserable and unfulfilled if anything goes wrong during the event itself.
#13
Whenever taking photos you plan on photoshopping. i.e. wedding photos. before you move everyone into the photo take a photo of just the background.
It can make editing the photo a lot easier in the later. like removing that annoying friend of the friend.
Miss Cris 4 years ago
"Please, can you leave from here for a sec? I'm doing an empty picture to be able to delete you one by one, if I unfriend you". "Ah, and to add UK's Queen". "And Freddy Mercury". Thanks.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
I wish we'd had photoshop back in the day! We don't even talk to his parents anymore. Plus we could have added Freddie Mercury! And the Beatles! Hell, the whole Sgt. Pepper album cover...
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fogharty 4 years ago
Another trick: if you are using a flash have the people who wear glasses take them off for a couple of shots for each grouping. Then if you have bad glare from the flash (which you shouldn’t get if your photographer knows their stuff) the glare can easily be removed by photoshopping the eyes from the no glasses shot.
#14
When you marry someone, you also marry their family. Make your peace with that before saying "I do".
I read this in a book once and feel it holds very true. When you start thinking about long term plans like marriage, unless your partner intends to cut off contact with them, you will have to deal with their family at some point. If you have constant friction with your in-laws and can't ever see yourself getting along with them, have an honest reflection on how you see the rest of your relationship pan out with their family in the picture. If you think you and your partner can manage it as a team, by all means go ahead, but definitely have a dialogue about it before committing.
Yvonne Blau 4 years ago
Yes, even more imüortant with friends. Most people spend much more time witth their friends than with their parents or siblings
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Yvette Desmarais 4 years ago
True. They can destroy your marriage and your life. They may have already seriously messed up your fiancé.
Philly Bob Squires 4 years ago
I often said I married my wife FOR my Mother In Law. She was a wonderful woman who I believed loved me almost as much as her daughter. Plus, we were killer together in the kitchen! I do miss her dearly!
#15
Don't ever go to a big name for your rings. You will have problems a lot of times. Go to a local hometown jeweler if you can that has been in business awhile. There is a reason they are still around.
Yvette Desmarais 4 years ago
Diamonds are a bullshit hoax. Have an artisan make you a special ring.
Not My Name 4 years ago
Yes. Choose the gem and design you want. It will be so much more special to you.
Load More Replies... Catlady6000 4 years ago
Also, diamonds cost far more than they are worth, with a fraction of resale value, the value is all promo. Unless they happen to be a favorite, there are more beautiful stones that never loose value. When I found that out, I felt it was a kind of metaphor for marriage
Donna Leske 4 years ago
Screw diamonds, they carry a load of grief in human slavery and corruption. I refused a diamond and we had our rings made.
bxttery_bxby 4 years ago
Rings are cool, but I don't want a huge, chunky diamond on my hand because I guarantee I will get it caught on something. I'd rather have a small band.
Miss Cris 4 years ago
You could use that sort of diamond ring to scratch windows and cars of people you dislike. ^^
Load More Replies... ADHORTATOR 4 years ago
We have very basic gold band rings.... if I should do it again, I would take Iron rings like the ancient Romans did
denzoren 4 years ago
Whenever I get married I just want one of those 20$ tungsten carbide rings from Amazon.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
Go with etsy! Hand-made, and you can get any design you like. (My husband wants to renew our vows using the ring from LOTR. Part of me is on board with this, the other part...) (No, that's not a Gollum joke.)
Load More Replies... Nicola Dimigen 4 years ago
My dad says that there shouldn't be something breaking the pure band of the wedding ring, so that you stay true to your wedding vows, or something like that.
Nina Khmielnitzky 4 years ago
Before I went to the wedding of a friend abroad, I ordered my wedding bands at a local jewelry store in Montreal. I had asked for 14k white gold. They made 10k gold band and charged me for 14k. My (now ex) future husband picked them up during my absence. I went back to the store with the bands, made a scene because they tried to rip me off. They offered to redo them in 18k gold for the same price. I refused, as I would only be reminded of their BS and crookery every time I would look at my wedding band.
“Trust us—you're only going to truly enjoy the day if you're focusing on what matters—the marriage. Everything else is just details,” Anna and Sarah from The Wedding Society gave Bored Panda and everyone else planning their weddings some spot-on advice straight from the heart.
#16
If you don't mind second-hand items, check out local Facebook groups or Craigslist. A lot of people buy everything new for their wedding, then they have absolutely zero use for it. Most of the time you can get things significantly cheaper without compromising on the quality.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
And don't be ashamed to shop at Goodwill and thrift stores! People donate really elaborate gowns that you can buy for a fraction of the cost, and alter or have altered really easily.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
That's each couple's call to make. One may decide they need to spend the extra $200 because its the wrong color white while a second couple decides to loosen the theme a bit and put more money towards a house down payment. Its your money - spend it how you want.
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#17
Eat. Eat something before your ceremony (or a couple hours before) for energy and so that you're not sick to your stomach at your own wedding. Plus, there may not be time for dinner if you are making rounds to your guests.
Marianne 4 years ago
There are people who skip dinner at their own wedding??? This is the most expensive meal I will ever buy and I will absolutely enjoy every bit of it.
Random Panda 4 years ago
You just might not have the time for it. At my wedding we got told multiple times to eat our meals as soon as we were served for that reason. Good advice, honestly.
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Dave P 4 years ago
Jewish Weddings, after the ceremony, they bride and groom go a private room for alone time for about 30 min or so called "the Yichud Room", it is a religous thing. Supposed to be for the new couple to spend alone time before the rest of the wedding. Caterers at Jewish weddings will load up various foods in there for the couple to eat before they go out. That way they are full
Deborah B 4 years ago
Have a reception line, so you aren't frantically trying to make the rounds to individually speak to all your guests instead of enjoying yourself.
Ren Karlej 4 years ago
Trouble with those is the time guests are hanging around bored in a queue. They've usually spent ages waiting while stacks of photos are taken after the ceremony already. Then they have to queue to be greeted by the wedding party. Not so bad if the wedding is small but then you don't usually need the reception line as the bride and groom can get round everyone anyway when smaller.
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#18
Get a wedding dress that you can definitely dance in.
I've seen too many brides not be able to do much other than sway the entire reception.
Demi Zwaan 4 years ago
Don’t you just change before the dancing? Only the first dance is in the weddingdress, but that’s slow anyway.
Marianne 4 years ago
This! My wedding dress had a train and the seamstress made an arrangement on the dress so that I could pin it up for dancing. However, the train would still brush the floor and when I asked her about it, she said: "It looks much better this way and you can absolutely dance like that." I couldn't. I stumbled over the dress during the wedding dance and later, my aunt pinned it further up so that I could enjoy the rest of the evening ...
Gin 4 years ago
My sister's dress ended up with a hole from a heel in it before she even got to the reception. She blamed her husband but I'm not sure he was actually wearing shoes with pointy heels! It was probably her own shoe.
Load More Replies... Donkey boi 4 years ago
Soooo, if you don't want to dance, blame it on the outfit? Thank you, from now on I will wear a wedding dress to all events!
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Some people have one dress for the ceremony and one for the reception. Or a convertible dress.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
I made this mistake. I had a "mermaid" style dress and could barely walk, much less dance.
#19
Take your time with planning, try not to get stressed. Take advice from everyone, but only do what you want to. Don't let people influence your final decisions. Spend only what you can afford. Figure out your maximum budget, minus 20%, that is your new budget. When you see something you really want but didn't plan for (eg. cupcakes) or something comes in a lot more expensive than planned (eg. The band) you'll have the budget excess.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago (edited)
Set your budget at $1000 and use the other $44000 as a down payment for your house. If your family and friends had higher hopes they are free to make substantial donations to get the wedding they envisioned.
#20
When writing a check for a wedding gift, make it out to one spouse or the other with old names. 'Mr and Mrs X' checks can't be cashed until the name change is final weeks later.
Just because someone gets married, doesn't mean the name changes right away (if at all obviously). So if you write a check to someone with their new name, it won't be able to be cashed until that is finalized weeks or months later.
The other way to get around this is to write OR instead of AND. So if you write Joe AND Nancy Smith, then they both must sign it and be on the account as Joe and Nancy Smith. But if you write Joe Smith OR Nancy Smith, then either one could cash it independently.
Edit: Apparently it is different by bank or by area. So seems this isn't universal. However probably still a good thing to follow just in case
H Edwards 4 years ago
Apparently it's still very common to use them in the US.
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Giovanna 4 years ago
I still can't get my head around the fact that women change (or in some countries: have to change) their name when they get married
Rob 4 years ago
If I ever get married, I would find it super romantic if my wife and I would take each other's names. I would be proud if both my and her mail/business cards/signature would reflect that we've chosen to share our lives. (In most countries men can also choose to take their wife's name; it's just rarely done.)
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Bender Bending Rodríguez 4 years ago (edited)
It is per bank however it is a great practice to get in to and do what is mentioned in the post.
Kharyss 4 years ago
Can’t wait to get rid of mine. My father was Hungarian and it’s 11 letters long with lots of y’s and Z’s. I’ve had to spell it phonetically pretty much every day since I was a kid. One of my main criteria for a partner is a nice easy surname that I never have to spell out again.
Guðrún Sveinsdóttir 4 years ago
In my country Iceland the wife never changes her last name. We are the daughter of the father like im sveins daughter and I would never change it. We think its weird to change half of our name just by getting married.
#21
When getting engaged or married go to Pawn Shops for your Jewelry.
It will save you literally hundreds if not thousands of dollars on simple wedding bands and elaborate diamond rings. Resizing a ring is also relatively cheap. Anywhere from $10-$30 from a local jewelry store or Mom and Pop store. Stores like Zales and Jared want you to think that you are buying brand new “untainted” diamonds and gold. In reality you are buying recycled gold and diamond that actually came from Pawn Shops and other used jewelry. The jewelry that is sold in Pawn Shops has a shelf life that varies but once it has been rotating for a set time and can’t sell the Pawn Shops sell it for the gold weight. The diamonds are taken out and sold in bulk while the gold is melted down into ingots then Jewelry manufactures bid on these materials that are then used to create brand new rings and settings from these recycled materials.
ADHORTATOR 4 years ago
If you want "untained" gold, you got to dig it out of the earth by yourself.
Angela Robinson 4 years ago (edited)
I wanted a platinum band, but knew that I couldn't afford it. I went to the p**n shop next to my job and found an antique, carved platinum ring for $30. I'm still in love with it 25 years later (and my husband too).
ChickyChicky 4 years ago
I have an antique ring as well. Very unique, I love it.
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Eglė Bukauskaitė 3 years ago
items in p**n shop associates with very sad life stories to me. I couldn't wear something that had to be a witness of a very sad and desperate life story, sorry. Item would still need a clensing, so a total remake at jewler, but still would be cheaper than a new one at branded store
#22
Before Proposing To A Girl, Go Find An Excuse For Her To Get Her Nails Done Beforehand.
When she wants to send photos of the ring to friends and family or post it to social media, she'll be thankful that her nails look the best possible that they can before sharing such an up-close photo of her hand.
MiriPanda 4 years ago
Sure, sending a picture of the ring and posting it on Instagramm, including perfectly manicured nails, is the most important part of the proposal, needs to be done immediately as it should never be an intimate moment between two people, right? *sarcasm off* (not a fan of proposals to begin with :-)
Aldhissla VargTimmen 4 years ago
This is not the most important indeed, but it's incredibly considerate and if I was into manicures I would certainly appreciate it a lot! I broke a natural nail on the day of my wedding and now the pictures of our hands are with one broken nail and I really wish it hadn't happened!
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Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Please Only Propose To Adults, Not Girls (Or Boys Or Non-Binary Children)
Karin Jansen 4 years ago
Haha this would be impossible for a lot of people who never "get their nails done". I never really got the need for it. If you want painted fingernails - which I don't get, what's wrong with your nails the way they are - just paint them yourself, right?
Kt 4 years ago
Just because you don't get it doesn't mean others won't. Also, hopefully if someone is proposing to their partner, they will know whether this is a good idea or not. If their lady likes a manicure, then go for it. If it's something they never get done, then they don't need to.
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Hugo Raible 4 years ago
A reason for me to propose when her nails are not done. Don't feed this insta BS.
Rikke Visby Wickberg 4 years ago (edited)
Thank you! I haven't laughed this much in the last year! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 To many girlies has seen too many chic-flicks. Hollywood has a great deal to answer for...
#23
Not really a hack, but always use the "pay yourself first" method. Get a paycheck? Put away what you've budgeted for bills, any debt you're paying down, and what you can afford to put away for your wedding. Stick to a number, put it in a separate account, and DON'T TOUCH IT
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Saving for a wedding is like saving for every other thing in your life. You set your goal, you set the monthly amount you want to save and save that amount FIRST. What's left from your paycheck after saving, you use to pay bills, debts, rent, utilities, food etc.
Katherine Boag 4 years ago
Nope. You pay those bills and your debt FIRST.
Load More Replies... Guðrún Sveinsdóttir 4 years ago
In my country Iceland its normal to be engaged for 10 years even before you marry. I've been engaged for 10 years and we haven't planned a thing. Its more important to us to be absolutely sure and know each other like your own body and know what money we make and problems that come in your way. It will be so normal to get marry at last because we are absolutely sure its the right thing for us both and want to spend the rest of our lives together ❤
#24
Designate a bridesmaid to hold bobby pins
Check bustle ahead of time
Let family members who are going to have designated seats at the ceremony know ahead of time
Make sure to take pics in the ceremony space WAY ahead of time
Tell photographer what you want
Have officiant step to the side during the kiss so you don’t have awkward head in picture
Ask maid of honor to straighten out train during ceremony
Eat lunch before doing hair and makeup
Disposable cameras
Include a thanks to certain people in the pastor’s speech
Fiftyflowers.com
DIY Photobooth: tripod, big poster cut like a polaroid
Use Fade function in Spotify to reduce awkward silence between songs (we aren’t doing a DJ/band)
Jeremy Arnott 4 years ago
Do not do disposable cameras!! You end up paying for A LOT of rubbish photos that your guests took. Plus there is always that drunk mate/uncle/courtesy invite that will take 25 blurry photos of his genitalia
Karin Jansen 4 years ago
Hahaha what??! Pictures of genitalia at a wedding? XD
Load More Replies... Deborah B 4 years ago
Instead of disposable cameras, have a wedding whatsapp or shared album online, and invite guests to upload any photos they take on their phones. If some family, eg father of the bride, mother of the groom, are getting ready separately, you could ask whoever's with them beforehand to take a few candid shots of getting ready, or special moments.
Rikke Visby Wickberg 4 years ago
Include a thanks to certain people in the pastor’s speech. As a pastor, I would say a hard NO to this. It's not the pastor's job, but yours. If you have to thank someone, do it in person. ❤️
Vetus Vespertilio 4 years ago
Not bustle as in the fitted derrière cage. Bustle is the process of tucking the train of a gown neatly and often beautifully up so the bride can actually move around after the ceremony. Gowns often have hidden snaps, buttons, and ribbons to keep the train off the floor.
Load More Replies... #25
Amazon! I bought a belt for my dress for $30 and my veil for $35. I found a veil similar to one I liked at David’s Bridal that was $150 in store. I also bought a slip/hoop skirt on there for like $20. You can find lots of stuff. Just read reviews, I also chose items with free returns in case it didn’t work out
Anne 4 years ago
Yes, but always check the delivery and returns policy of wherever you buy.
Load More Replies... Deborah B 4 years ago
But don't buy from China, or if you can't resist, make sure you do so with enough lead time to get something somewhere else in case it's toddler-sized or doesn't match the photo.
Kt 4 years ago
I've bought three evening dresses from China....absolutely beautiful. I think it's unfsir to just say 'don't buy from China'. Shopping from china is the same as anywhere else on the internet....look at reviews, delivery times, delivery costs etc. Look for red.flags, like you would with any internet shop. My friends sister bought her wedding dress from china as well, for like £20....it was amazing. You just have to shop careful.
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What do you think ?
Mimic 4 years ago
For my wedding I let my bridesmaids choose their dress. Our color was "royal blue" but I didn't care what type of dress they had, I told them I wanted them to buy something they could use again for something else.
SirPatTheCat 4 years ago
This is a good idea also because people have different bodies so it's better if they choose a dress that they feel is comfortable and looks good on them.
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cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
ALWAYS take a small pocket sewing kit with a set of small safety pins. Every wedding I have gone to has resulted in a quick clothing repair such as replacing a button, safety pinning a belt loop and on one occasion I fixed the brides wedding train. It got caught and some of the stitching came out.
ADHORTATOR 4 years ago
I have always a sewing kit with me... my wife laughed about it, until she had a little accident with her trousers in the middle of Berlin :-)
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ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago
Oooor stay single and skip the fuss? I’d be perfectly happy living alone with my snake and the little pug I want.
Iyelatu 4 years ago (edited)
To each their own i guess... married or single, i just wish you all happy..
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Amanda Reicha 4 years ago
Live together for a while! I lived with my husband 2 years to see if we worked well together in that environment and we've been together 12 years. I had a friend that didn't until after they were married. My friend was divorced in 2 years due to issues they were unaware of outside the home.
Mimic 4 years ago
I did the same with my boyfriend [now husband] we've been together 12 years total and while my family -hated- me for "living in sin" they realized it was the best for us and later apologized. Living together may not be right for everyone but in my situation it was the right decision. I can't imagine life without him.
Load More Replies... Brandy Grote 4 years ago
Don't be afraid of small DIYs! I couldn't find fingerless gloves that had shiny glass beads, so I got regular fingerless gloves and added my own beadwork where I wanted it. Pretty, and gave me what I wanted. We did a Vegas wedding - they have all inclusive packages that are actually a good deal!
Agata Fronia 4 years ago
I wanted our wedding to be perfect, but then I realised that anything may get wrong so I just simply let go thinking, if anything is going to happen I am not alone, there are people who are going help.
Rachel Tucker 4 years ago
No hack - just make sure you laugh and love every moment. I bought a Mrs&Mrs cake topper and didn't notice until it was cut the cake time and laughed as everyone was worried it ruined the cake. The registrar got my name wrong during the vowels - it really helped us ease the nerves actually! The sound system wouldn't work for the music to walk down the aisle to but my husband to be used his little bluetooth speaker from the room and noone noticed. Things won't go 100% how you think they will, but you'll enjoy every moment of it anyway!
Pilot Chick 4 years ago
Make sure to check out the bustle situation before the ceremony. I ended up kneeling on the beach in my bridesmaid dress trying to bustle my friend’s skirt because we couldn’t figure it out and I hadn’t seen it done before hand.
Mimic 4 years ago
For my wedding I let my bridesmaids choose their dress. Our color was "royal blue" but I didn't care what type of dress they had, I told them I wanted them to buy something they could use again for something else.
SirPatTheCat 4 years ago
This is a good idea also because people have different bodies so it's better if they choose a dress that they feel is comfortable and looks good on them.
Load More Replies... cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
ALWAYS take a small pocket sewing kit with a set of small safety pins. Every wedding I have gone to has resulted in a quick clothing repair such as replacing a button, safety pinning a belt loop and on one occasion I fixed the brides wedding train. It got caught and some of the stitching came out.
ADHORTATOR 4 years ago
I have always a sewing kit with me... my wife laughed about it, until she had a little accident with her trousers in the middle of Berlin :-)
Load More Replies... ScarlettofHydraIsland 4 years ago
Oooor stay single and skip the fuss? I’d be perfectly happy living alone with my snake and the little pug I want.
Iyelatu 4 years ago (edited)
To each their own i guess... married or single, i just wish you all happy..
Load More Replies... Amanda Reicha 4 years ago
Live together for a while! I lived with my husband 2 years to see if we worked well together in that environment and we've been together 12 years. I had a friend that didn't until after they were married. My friend was divorced in 2 years due to issues they were unaware of outside the home.
Mimic 4 years ago
I did the same with my boyfriend [now husband] we've been together 12 years total and while my family -hated- me for "living in sin" they realized it was the best for us and later apologized. Living together may not be right for everyone but in my situation it was the right decision. I can't imagine life without him.
Load More Replies... Brandy Grote 4 years ago
Don't be afraid of small DIYs! I couldn't find fingerless gloves that had shiny glass beads, so I got regular fingerless gloves and added my own beadwork where I wanted it. Pretty, and gave me what I wanted. We did a Vegas wedding - they have all inclusive packages that are actually a good deal!
Agata Fronia 4 years ago
I wanted our wedding to be perfect, but then I realised that anything may get wrong so I just simply let go thinking, if anything is going to happen I am not alone, there are people who are going help.
Rachel Tucker 4 years ago
No hack - just make sure you laugh and love every moment. I bought a Mrs&Mrs cake topper and didn't notice until it was cut the cake time and laughed as everyone was worried it ruined the cake. The registrar got my name wrong during the vowels - it really helped us ease the nerves actually! The sound system wouldn't work for the music to walk down the aisle to but my husband to be used his little bluetooth speaker from the room and noone noticed. Things won't go 100% how you think they will, but you'll enjoy every moment of it anyway!
Pilot Chick 4 years ago
Make sure to check out the bustle situation before the ceremony. I ended up kneeling on the beach in my bridesmaid dress trying to bustle my friend’s skirt because we couldn’t figure it out and I hadn’t seen it done before hand.
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