My Wedding (and What I Learned from Planning It)! October 1, 2016

So my husband and I started dating in high school, broke up for a few months (because we were like 15 and dumb), got back together, dated all through college, and got engaged in 2015. We got married on October 1st of 2016. It was such a fun day, and I realized that I've never really shared it! So here it is! All pictures are by Brynna Grae Photography (she's awesome and lives in Boston now!)

Our Venue: The Coffey Barn

Photography: Brynna Grae Photo

Music: Spotify x Levi (he makes killer playlists tbh)

If you want to listen to our playlists while you scroll, here they are:

Details

My now mother-in-law did our decorations! We waited for sales, went to estate sales, borrowed, and looked on Facebook Marketplace for decorations! We repurposed Snapple bottles with a cute S and greenery on them into centerpieces. Get creative. I also ordered tablecloths off of a wholesale restaurant website--super cost effective!

Getting Ready

Just be yourself. This is me. Making a last minute flower crown for myself, wearing little makeup, and doing my own hair. I think you enjoy your day so much more if you're comfy!

First Look or Nah?

I love first looks! As a bride. As a photographer. Making the wedding timeline. I love it. I'm all about it. You get time to see each other and spend some time together. You can be sweet and sentimental because you're alone. Plus that gives you more time for pictures of you two! Do it.

Before the Ceremony

We had yard games (check out those sweet corn hole boards my dad made us) to keep people busy during all the family and bridal party pictures! I think it's good to have something for young siblings or nieces and nephews to do while they're waiting!

Ceremony

Again, be yourself. Our ceremony playlist (we did all the music on Spotify and had a day-of coordinator to play the music for us) was awesome. I mean the bridal party walked to Sweet Child of Mine Vitamin String Quartet version and I walked down the aisle to a Make You Feel My Love piano cover. Then we left to AC/DC's classic TNT while Levi high-fived everyone. Do what you want. Have fun with it! It's your day.

Reception

Planning the reception was great. Here are a few notes:

• Self-served beer x wine bar is cost effective and a crowd pleaser.

• Nobody cares what they're eating on. Just give them food.

• DON'T FORGET TO EAT (this wasn't a problem for me, but other people say that it is).

• People like choices for desserts more than they'd like a slice of cake. It'll save you money, too. (Also, if you love the cake stands, my dad made them all. Talent!)

• You have to dance for other people to feel it's okay for them to dance. I don't get it but that's just how it is. We're not big dancers, but I feel like other people would've enjoyed dancing more if we would've started everyone off... but we didn't.

• Play music you love. If that means you make your own playlist-do it. If that means you hire your favorite DJ or live band, do that. We just felt like we could get all kinds of music we loved from a playlist, not so much with a band.

• Leave when you want. If you get tired, don't stay for another hour and a half because you said that's when you'd leave. Just go!

• Be prepared to have at least half of your favors left over (or just don't do favors... even though they're cute... nobody wants to take them unless it's a donut).

• ENJOY YOUR PARTY! 10/10 would recommend shotgunning a beer with your bridal party and having your maid of honor's mom hold your dress for you.

Also, if you live in the Georgia, get married in Tennessee, and have your wedding on the UGA vs. UT gameday, just go ahead and stream it for everyone!

Pictures

Seriously, pictures x video are the most important investments in your day. We got lucky with Brynna. She crushed it. I'm so glad we have these pictures to look back on forever. Pick a photographer you love. Make sure you like their style, and make sure their pictures tell your wedding-day story.