Advice for brides
Wedding planning can be overwhelming to start with, we know, we have been there too! Where do you even begin to start planning one of the most important days of your life? We thought it would be helpful to ask our previous brides for their advice and best tips to help you plan your perfect wedding day. We photographed the beautiful wedding of Jo & David last year in Greenwich, we asked Jo for her advice & tips for future JK Brides.
Firstly, how did you and David meet and how long had you been together before you decided to get married?
David and I had been together for 12 years and had 2 beautiful children together before he actually got round to asking me to marry him!! I thought he would never do it!! We grew up in the same area and knew of each other since school but we didn’t actually get together until our early 20’s.
Tell us how you started planning your wedding day?
Considering we were together for so long our wedding was a whirlwind! We got engaged whilst on a wonderful family holiday last July and I always knew I didn’t want a long engagement so I literally hit the ground running as soon as I got home. My career as PA and Events Manager in the past definitely helped! We also knew that we wanted our wedding to be relaxed and fun so I didn’t want to get bogged down with tiny details, which I know lots of brides really do enjoy but this wasn’t for me! Our main brief was…. Love, Fun and Laughter.
Where did you begin to look for your wedding dress, and how did you decide on ‘The One’?
My dress was by far the easiest part of my wedding planning. I knew what I didn’t want but was open to trying different styles. All I had was an idea of how I wanted to feel.
Within 3 days on being home I visited our local bridal shop (with love brida,l new Eltham) with my Mum and bought a dress! Which I know sounds completely mad and honestly very unlike me and especially my Mum! But it’s true when you know the one, you know!
When I picked the dress out both my Mum and the lovely Shop Owner wasn’t sure but the moment I stepped into the dress I just knew! My Mum fell in love with the dress instantly too, we just knew!
The complete icing on the cake was that my dress, without even having it in mind, matched completely with my Mum’s stunning head dress that she wore nearly 40 years earlier when she married my Dad! It was so so special to me and my family and the headdress is now packed away all safe just in case my daughter would like to wear it one day!
How did you decide on your venue?
The Venue again was easy! I knew I wanted somewhere local so Greenwich and The Trafalgar Tavern was my first thought! I have vivid memories of being a little girl and seeing beautiful Brides (but princesses to me at the time) standing on the balcony when we were walking past on one of our many visits to Greenwich Park.
David and I have visited the pub over the years for Sunday drinks and David also actually celebrated his 21st Birthday there so it holds a very special place in our hearts!!
We did consider other venues, The Swan @ The Globe Theatre and also looked at some venues in Kent but I was always comparing them to The TrafalgarTavern!
When we found out that the Trafalgar Tavern had the availability we went for it! 14th October 2016…………………………..11 weeks to plan a wedding! Easy! Ha Ha!
Did you do most of the planning yourself or did your groom get involved?
David did get involved in all decisions (apart from the dress of course) but I definitely took the lead role! And it worked perfectly!
Do you have any websites or social media pages to recommend to help future brides plan their big day?
Pinterest, pinterest, pinterest! I loved this for inspiration!
What was the one thing you were most worried about leading up to your big day?
The first dance! I like dancing but I am rubbish so the thought of everyone watching me made me feel a little sick! Actually I think the idea of all eyes on me all day made me feel uncomfortable. But on the day it was fine because I actually realised that it was all of my family and friends and everyone had so much love for us I ended up feeling a million dollars!
Looking back on your wedding day, is there anything you would have changed & why?
Honestly nothing. I was a relaxed bride and I was marrying my soul mate in front of our children, surrounded by our family and closest friends! What’s to change?
Do you have any beauty secrets or products to share?
Not really! But if you can, make sure to book a professional make-up artist! I used Beau Babbington @Hairbybeaumua for me and my bridal parties hair and make-up, she made us all look amazing!
My dress, plus having my hair and make-up done, I felt it was 100% the best I have ever looked!
What was the best moment for you on your wedding day?
Without a doubt the Ceremony! With all the crazy wedding planning I didn’t really ever focus on that on the lead up, but I will never forget those first moments of walking down the aisle with my lovely Daddy and seeing David and my son waiting for me. Also the amazing atmosphere of love from all our guest! I literary nearly lost it completely but managed to get thought! Truly magical!
And lastly, what’s your biggest piece of advice for all those brides to be out there?
Enjoy it! On the day don’t worry about the tiny details! Delegate that to your loving friends and family who I sure would be more than willing to help!
Just try your best to take it all in with your lovely new husband!
