8 tips to have
the best 
wedding experience 

Cassidy Brooke's
Wedding Guide

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SPLURGE FOR EXTRA HOURLY COVERAGE

CHOOSE A DRESS YOU CAN MOVE IN

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HAIR & MAKEUP TRIAL

SET ASIDE
YOUR DETAILS

SCHEDULE A
PRE-WEDDING PHONE CALL

CHOOSE YOUR
SQUAD WISELY

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED VENDOR TEAM

CREATE
MOMENTS OF PEACE

CREATE MOMENTS 
OF PEACE

Your vendor team is the backbone of your wedding and knowing your vendors are experts at what they do will put you at ease which in turn will make for a more stress-free planning process. A full coordination planner is a must, along with a solid venue manager, photographer and florist. I guarantee the extra money you spend will be well worth it when you aren't having to micro-manage every aspect of your planning process and wedding day! Need a planner referral? Email me for my recommendation list.

Having plenty of coverage during the day means a more spacious timeline and less chaos. Simple put, choosing a wedding package with 10 or 12hrs will ensure your day has more buffer zones in between each event throughout your wedding day. A bride or groom that isn't rushed is one that will not only photograph more beautifully but is will also be able to be present and ENJOY their day.

Carve out times during your day specifically meant for space alone or with just your significant other. I encourage my brides to do a letter or gift exchange in the earlier part of their day, quiet the music, and take some breaths alone, away from the chaos of the day. Just allowing space to breath and think can be so life giving. I also recommend setting aside 5 minutes after the ceremony for just the two of you, to be present and soak up the bliss, that is your wedding day, will be an irreplaceable memory.

Beauty and Functionality. I can't tell you how many brides will choose a gown based on the beauty and forget all about functionality. Your wedding is suppose to be the biggest celebration of your life, right? Don't choose a dress that limits your mobility or that is so delicate you feel the slightest movement will rip it. When dress shopping, take your time, move around, lean down, hug someone... test all the scenarios this gown till encounter on your wedding day to make sure it won't be an added stress!

Want to do double duty on your MUAH trial? Schedule your trial for the morning of your engagement session! This will do many things: other than seeing if your hair and makeup are what you envision for your day, you'll get to look AND feel stunning in your engagement photos while later seeing how everything looks in photos. Even if your MUAH artists charge extra for trials, it's truly worth every penny, especially when you double down with this tip!

Take the time to think through every detail item you'll want your photographer to include in your flat lay images and set them aside. Put them all in a designated box or bag that will be easy to access for your photographer on the day of the wedding, adding no stress to you. Items to consider including are: Full invitation suite (include calligraphic envelopes, stamps and extras of double sided pieces), both sets of rings, family heirlooms, perfume, hair pieces, guest gifts/welcome bags and any additional paper goods you want photographed.

Sometimes you just need an experienced listening ear to think out loud and close all those mental "tabs" you may have constantly running. As the weeks get closer to your wedding, you'll think of tiny details and have ideas you'll want to discuss with your planner and/ or photographer. Setting up a call to talk through these and hash out last minute thoughts will clear your mind and have you feeling solid about your day. This is also a great time to express specific photo requests and expectations you have if they haven't already been covered prior. You'll want to choose vendors that are readily available, to a certain degree, to be a voice of help and a sounding board when you'll need it most!

The people you choose to surround yourself with will affect your overall wedding experience. When I walk into a bride's getting ready room there is an energy pulsing throughout the room and it’s a fore-taste of how the day will go. From the music on the Pandora playlist to the attitudes of the bridesmaids… You’ll want to choose ladies that are There. For. You. Period. Bridesmaids that understand that their goal is to serve you and make sure you look stunning, and are less concerned about their own hair and makeup goals. Most brides have that one "dramatic" friend… I’m here to say it’s okay to offended them a little in hopes of only having peacemakers on your team. Trust me, your wedding day is worth it. 

All content and images © Cassidy Brooke 2021

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED VENDOR TEAM

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