I once heard a very famous and a very seasoned celebrity say ” Everyone has a story ” (Oprah). Keeping this saying in mind, I want to start telling stories. Not everyday stories mind you, specifically wedding stories! I never though of myself as a wedding expert, though I have been to my fair share. I like most of you out there are surrounded by people that are, have been, and are about to be married.

I love wedding stories, and not the scandalous ones about “Uncle Bob” getting drunk at the open bar and making an embarassing wedding toast. No I love to hear about weddings because they are engaging, everything about them is. Hearing about the preparation, the careful planning that has gone into the most minut of details. From the colour of the place settings, to the colour of the grooms cumberbun (because we know he can’t be trusted to pick his own! Or can he?)

There is something to be said about the person telling, or re-telling the story. Ask your grandma about hers and you’ll see her eyes light up when she relives the moment she said “I do”. Yep, I love wedding stories. Maybe because it gives me hope that I’ll be telling my own soon. I can’t say that I look forward to all that planning…. MY GOD THE PLANNING! Is it every to early to start?

My sister started her wedding planning exactly one year in advance, last April. Now early November, she is frantic that she has’nt accomplished enough.

My mom’s wedding took hardly any effort on her part. Back home, I’m salvadorian, your parents do all the planning for you. Allowing you the courtesy of approving some details, after all every bride should have a say so in her colour schemes despite geological differences.

I have a friend whom we’ll call Anastasia, her husband likes his privacy and anonymity. This is what she had to say about her special day.

Was it the perfect day?

” Depends, I was really stressed out because it felt like I had no time to get ready. But at the same time it was one of the happiest times of my life.”

Did it turn out the way you imagined it would when you were a little girl?

“It turned out better than I thought because I never thought that I would be getting married in Canada”

What was the best part of the ceremony?

“The walk down the aisle”

While everybody was looking at you where were you looking?

“It was really emotional. All I can remember was looking at my future husband.”

When I asked her about what the top five things that she could advise a future bride on she responded with the following:

1) Timing – Take your time at least a year

2) Wedding Planner – If you can afford one then get one

3) Pick Your Own Dress – Never let anyone else tell you what to wear

4) Wedding Presents – You should definitely register

5) Share – Share your wedding experience with the people you love

I think that anyone having gone through a wedding, comes out the other side a little wiser. I know myself, and when someone gives me advice I listen to it but then end up doing it my way anyway. After all it’s my experience and this moment will only come once. Despite all the crazyness everyone has their perfect day in mind, but if you could advise other brides to be what would your top five things be?

I invite anyone reading this to write to me by commenting below and I’ll compile your answers into the top 5 things to know when planning a wedding. Depending on the response we might need to consider a top 10. This way future brides can ensure that they too have their perfect day.

Thanks for reading and we’ll see you again on the corner.

CJ