Keeping this comment here so I can share it with my fiance: - 3:25: Eat when you can, so you can last through the event - 3:53: Plan some face-time with each guest - 4:39: If you love dancing, designate someone to pull you'll onto the floor regularly - 5:14: Pause and take it all in - 6:10: Plan some alone time - 6:54: Pay ahead of time, so you don't have to pay things during the wedding - 8:10: Plan transportation - 9:15: Hire (designate?) a day-of co-ordinator - 10:12: Hair and Make-up - 11:13: Don't worry too much - 11:49: Don't stay too long - 12:39: Be yourself
I went to my cousin's wedding this past weekend and they actually left their reception for a half hour or so. They said they were "taking more pictures" but their photographer was totally not hopping out of that cab with them. Whether they went to go consummate or just have a quiet drink together, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, I really want to do that on my wedding day." They are so in love and spending that little time just to relish in it must have been beautiful.
That's what I like about Jewish weddings. The couples actually have built-in time for them to get away and be alone together. I wish more couples would do this regardless of their faith or beliefs. It's a busy day when they're always "on" for their guests. It gives them some down time to have self care before going back to caring for their guests.
I have a weird regret. I wish I had a pocket watch or something on the table, I had no idea what time it was, like ever and it stressed me out thinking that I was always running late or missing the timing on things
YES. I asked several times throughout the day and always got the “don’t worry about it” response...which is nice, BUT I kept thinking, “no really, what time is it?”
LovelyDancer92 I know! I tried to stay present and leave my phone in my bridal suite but it left me feeling lost and unable to relax because I wanted to get everything done on time. My wedding planner was very relaxed (opposite of me) and that gave me more anxiety lol.
I conducted a Facebook poll to see what my friends thought of receiving lines, and the overwhelming response was that they HATED them. So we'll be opting for table visits! This is likely a "know your crowd" kinda thing.
We do both in my country. It is so weird to me to have no receiving line. The bride and groom are the hosts and should be receiving their guests, not having the guests receive them... The same way about visiting tables, at least once during the evening the bride and groom should spend some time with each guest. But I guess it's a cultural thing.
Our cousin had one and it was the most awkward thing ever, but neither of them are extroverted people so them looking uncomfortable made everything just beyond unbearable. We're doing a first look so after some quick family photos we're gonna join in at cocktail hour instead, and then make rounds during the reception to make sure we catch everyone.
lol. I didn't know there were countries, where they didn't have a receiving line. Where I live it is done a 100% of the time. Completely normal for kisses and congratulations. Also the time, when people give their gifts. We were very pleased, that most of our gifts were envelopes with money in them. In total we got enough to pay for the wedding reception and party. Otherwise we'd been in debt...
Just a note on professional hair/makeup. For my wedding I wasn't able to afford both for all my bridesmaids and I didn't want them to have to pay too much for anything. I hired makeup artists, which was great because everyone has coordinating makeup looks. For hair, I was able to have a family friend do my hair, and I just let everyone else do their own/eachothers hair. I think if you have to choose one, makeup is the way to go! And everyone's hair looked great!
My favorite tip was get some alone time with your husband. My bridal party set up a spot where me and my husband was able to sit right after our wedding to get some quiet time between us. They were so great, the Best Man "stood guard" to make sure we weren't disturbed. :0)
The first video I’m watching of you ACTUALLY ENGAGED lol! I am so excited to check out master plan because after our meeting with a wedding planner yesterday I was left in tears about how expensive everything, and specifically her, was. We decided it’s best for our budget just to have day of coordination but that left me saying “how tf do I make a plan for tables and where they go and seating charts” and “when do I book this?” etc etc. I think master plan will help a ton!
Wedding Wire is also super helpful! And keep researching planners - ours is wonderful and much more affordable and she still found a way to shave some money off so that we could afford her!
Finding out how much everything is is definitely depressing, and scary. Just breathe and take your time! Really talk about budget after seeing what your options are. My wedding is three weeks away!! Best of luck to you!
My favorite style of receiving line I have seen done is where after the ceremony guests are asked to stay seated. The couple exit and return about 5 minutes later to release and greet guests row by row. All the guests get to sit down while waiting and are then motivated to be quick with their greetings. It takes the pressure off of greeting at reception tables where there is navigating the dress and food, as well as guests not wanting to miss their chance, also means that the couple don't have to rush eating together.
My brother did this at his wedding over the weekend. They exited and then popped back out from a door in the front. Suprise! Then they zigzagged their way back up the aisle, dismissing one half row (one side) at a time starting at the front and gave everyone a hug or handshake greeting as they exited their row. Everyone loved it. The family (first dismissed) all hung around right outside (in the foyer) to speak with guests on their way to the reception space (on the other side of the foyer) and wait until everyone exited the ceremony space to return for photos.
Thanks for sharing that! I actually just posted a question about that! I thought visiting tables would take to long and didn't know if I liked a receiving line. That sounds like a very good option!
The dancing tip!!! I said at our engagement party that I would mingle till 10pm then I was on the dance floor. I’m setting myself the same time limit for our wedding! That gives me 3 hours of boogieing!!! Xx
I love your channel. You are a professional planner but understand not everyone can afford one and you share all your information here without feeling like it is a threat to your business. I’m getting married sometime late next year and want to do it on a relatively small budget (still in the brainstorming not officially engaged stage) and your tips have been amazing. Although there is no way the actual wedding/reception will last 4-5hrs. My limit would be 3 MAYBE 4 hours lol
I am going to attend a wedding next month, and it's gonna be my first wedding as an adult. Can you do a video on wedding guest etiquette/ expectations/dress code?
I'm already doing me. And people aren't liking it, and I'm laughing at them cause it's so funny that they think care about what they have to say when they ain't paying for shit. 😂😂 I'm doing me and me only. My soon to be husband is him and only him, and it's working for us. US, doesn't need to work for everyone else just US!!! Thank you for another helpful video.
We recently decided on no bouquet toss or garter toss! My mom thought it was SUPER weird but we both agreed that we didn’t love the tradition & didn’t feel the need to include something we didn’t like! I also decided on NO veil but instead a wedding “cape” and EVERYONE has something to say about that one 🙄
Girl, you do you. I made the same two decisions and feel super happy about it. People are used to things being a certain way but who says that‘s the only way? If you do something you‘re uncomfortable with, you‘re not gonna enjoy yourself and neither will all your guests who want to see you happy :)
Love that! I couldn’t decide between a cape or veil or train and ended up going with a tule train so its kind of like a veil! Also my fiance and I are not traditional, but we still sat down and were like “what traditions do we want to include/leave out and why” it was interesting to think “what is the purpose of a cake cutting?” and things like that. It made us feel better about the traditions that we decided to keep and it feels more like our day.
Cavin Elizabeth Photography my fiancé says he HATES the thought of going under my dress & pulling something off my thigh! too personal for us to share with people so we just decide to opt out of both 🤣
So excited for the planner!! I’m going to recommend it all the brides I know :) I’ve been watching for so many months and can not believe my wedding is in FIVE. DAYS. Thank you for all your help Jamie, all your advice has helped me keep my cool in this whole planning process. ❤️ P.S. this video could not have come at a better time!!!
Totally agree with paying in advance! As a vendor, I hate having to ask to be paid on the wedding day. Most couples have the best man pay me but sometimes they forget. The last thing I want to do on someones wedding day is hound them for money. It's so much easier to pay in advance.
Is it common in the US to pay vendors at the end of the wedding day itself?? In the UK we settle all bills anywhere from 6 to 1 week before the day! No worries on the day :)
I am a day of coordinator at a venue and a small tip or gift is not expected but always appreciated. What's also great is a personal mention if you are later reviewing your event online. I typically receive $50-$100. I hope that helps. Good luck!
A lot of people I’ve seen recommend getting a ‘Google phone number’ for your wedding so that you can get rid of it after. Just like a wedding email! Plus then there’s no spam mail after😂 and you can give it to your wedding party to use too!
For my daughters total bohemian wedding in October we're doing a custom bacon and hoecake bar and grits shooters along with a charcuterie board for cocktail hour and a huge hog roast with upscale "southern" sides for dinner. We're doing a beer canoe instead of kegs so nothing goes to waste and along with the cake we're ordering little fried pies from the Mennonite community. We have about 250 high energy guests and a playlist of all high energy 80s, 90s, and early 2000s songs in hope of a dance reception similar to the end scene in the movie Hitch🤣
Video Idea I would love to see: I think it would be cool if your subscribers that have just been married or married awhile posted their regrets or things they wish they had done at their weddings and you could read them off and comment and/or suggest solutions for all of us planning our weddings. Your videos are seriously so helpful and I think my fiancé thinks I am in a relationship with someone named Jaime because of me saying "well, Jaime made a good point about (fill in the blank)" Haha
It's so funny how weddings are so different everywhere. My brother had a wedding a month ago and the venue they picked had their (white) car from bride and groom for driving to and from house, photographer, church, venue; band that played hundreds of weddings and are actually announcing everything at the recepcion and the most interesting difference is "staying late" - bride got up early to get ready and stayed up for aprox. 24 hours - it is normal here that bride and groom stay last, so if the wedding reception begins at 8 in the evening it ends around 5 in the morning.
Exactly! For us transportation is always top of mind even if the couple chooses not to go with a limo/fancy car (the car of arrival is important for some reason?) Also she mentioned that the groom and bride carve out alone time, which in our culture’s wedding would probably make people riot if the bride and groom leave for a bit at the same time 😂 We also have the couple leave last, but we def don’t stay past midnight
Can u do another diy bridesmaid proposal box and also maybe a photo backdrop diy? Also if u know of any easy ways to do a photo booth/ an app u can use or something so u don’t have to hire someone that would be great to see! Love your videos ❤️
Jamie what do you suggest. Should the wedding party stand from tallest to shortest or opposite? I'm thinking the tallest standing from left to right. Not sure what looks best for photos.
I am planning a wedding more than 2 years out -- if I buy it now, will I lose access to what I already did because I only have 12 month access? Would you consider making a different price point for over 12 months of use?
My last video before getting married in 48 hours. Thank you Jamie ❤Some of my personal tips before getting married: -Get a venue where you can BYO and save soo much $$$ -Get the week before the wedding off work to do the final touches that you didn't know you would need to sort - If you're like me, start your tanning, hair, nail trials far in advance. I am a simple girl who does not get any of this in my day to day life - Do not book your honeymoon for the day after your wedding (consider the pack up) - if you cannot afford a MC and/or day of coordinator like me, recruit your trusty sister or someone you trust fully and remember they will be doing A LOT more work than you think - Stand back, you are not going to be as hands on as you think.. otherwise you will not enjoy the day at all! - I was a bridezilla the entire process, i plan on being the most chill bride on the day.. go with the flow Love, bride from Australia x
I love your videos so much even though I’m not a bride. 😂 You’ve inspired me to become a wedding planner & coordinator. But are you also a wedding designer? And can a person be all three?
I’ve been watching this sooooo much I’m still engaged to my amazing fiancée but we’re still trying to plan our wedding down here in Ontario Canada!! When I saw one of your videos for the first time I fell in love with your videos!!! A lot of helpful info!!!
Hey Jamie! Is there any time you would NOT suggest paying vendors ahead of time? I have been trying to decide if we should just get it all out of the way a few weeks before the wedding but I'm scared something will go wrong and if I pay ahead that'll screw me over in some way?! Thanks!!
Julianna Rosato if you check out the reviews from the knot or other wedding centered sites, you can check out the reviews. I have seen some people leave poor reviews claiming the vendor didn’t arrive or complete the full time of service paid for. Try to stick with higher rated vendors and this shouldn’t be a problem. Also, if you have it at a venue they generally have a list of preferred vendors. This group made that list for a reason and want to stay on that list for the business. I would try to get the “big” vendors from that preferred list (DJ, catering, officiant if necessary), for ease of mind. Alternatively, I put one of my bridesmaids in charge of tipping. Each of my vendors have been told to report to her before they leave for the tip (prepared in sealed envelopes with labels). This way, I don’t have to worry about payment or tipping. I’m sure it can be possible to do this with the remaining payment as well. You can even recruit a family member of you prefer.
Do not pay a planner in full before it's due, that was about a $1000 dollar learning experience. All vendors that have jobs basically for the day of are pretty safe like the caterer, photographer, cake, DJ etc Most vendors I worked with had a 30 day out paid in full policy
Totally agree with the one about worrying. I wasted time on my wedding day being worried about our choreographed first dance when in reality it went totally fine and people don't care or even notice if it's perfect.
Me and my fiancee are super unconventional when it comes to our wedding 😂. We don't even want dancing at all at our wedding because we don't really care about dancing except maybe the first dance. Because of the venue we chose, that's not gunna be an issue. We also are having it on a Friday (because the date of our anniversary will be permanent, therefore we want the numbers to flow) and we're not doing a bouquet toss or garter toss. We just want a beautiful, social event essentially. Not really the "party all night" type wedding lol. Ultimately, we are planning this whole thing and our parents are super supportive and not judgemental at all. So far it's been easy!
Great advice... especially number 12. I'm getting married in November and not doing a garter toss or a bouquet toss because I just hate the idea of it. I always have. I'm not doing a traditional wedding dress. I love tons of things so i'm having a bunch of different themes because thats just me and my fiancé. A lot of people are like "you can't do that" why not? Definitely do what you want to do
All your videos have been so helpful, I’ve been binge watching them the last 2 days 🤣 its a little stressful knowing I counted out some things that you recommend, because my budget is Soo strict(I decided I probably couldn’t do professional hair and makeup).. now I’m wondering if I should find out how to fit it in! Since my wedding is outside, I know my hair and face will be faced with the elements Lol. I have already planned moments with my fiancé where we are having moments alone, we are having a last dance.. just the two of us before our official grand exist. It will be on the dance floor and everything but it’s just us two to soak in the whole day and actually be in the moment alone. I hope for other moments during the day but I made sure to include it at the end for sure!
Receiving lines are very common in Australia. After the married couple walk back up the aisle together they find somewhere to wait and then everyone comes past and congratulations them. Also, Americans still use check books? I don't think I have seen one of those in 10 years. Bank transfer people. Easy as.
Receiving lines are very common in my country as well. The bride and groom are the hosts and should be receiving their guests, not the other way around. At least that's what we call politeness. Also, yes, bank transfers. I'm from Romania and have never seen checks in maybe 20 years. We pay a down payment to all vendors and the rest of the money is transferred through the bank in the following period.
@@nonabgo in most American weddings, the day is a celebration of the couples' love and future. Here, it's the couples' day; it's about them. The guests are important, but typically come second to the couple. If you have different traditions, that's fine, but at least don't go on an American wedding planning video.
@@Priya-zc1mi You do realise I commented on Eleanor's reply where she says the same about Australia, right? The only thing I did was to iterate that other parts of the world have the same customs. What's your problem with me then? I can "go" wherever on the internet I want, some things are the same everywhere. I doubt you have ownership over "American wedding planning videos" so stop taking everything so personal.
This video honestly couldn't have come at a better time. I've been so incredibly stressed out with the wedding plans this week. The advice in this video has helped to calm me. I feel like I can breathe again. Thank you!
THANK YOU for mentioning tips on hair and makeup! As a pro artist, I feel like could easily make a video of like "15 things your Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist wish you knew!" Ugh!!
No offense, but I would never pay the full sum ahead of the event - if the vendor does not deliver the service, then it wouls be difficult to get it back. Instead, I think, it makes sense to agree to a down payment (even a generous one) + a specific date when the rest will be transferred after the wedding day on the contract & maybe an agreement to not bother us with money on the big day.
Hi Jamie! It would be amazing if you did a video on planning the actual ceremony when using a friend as the efficient. We have no idea where to start! Google is overwhelming with script ideas and makes my head hurt. I'd love to hear your thoughts and any suggestions on resources for secular wedding & unity ceremonies.
Your kid is sooo precious Jamie 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for these videos. Seriously.. I’m getting married 07.12.25🥰 I’ve taken so many notes, this is insane When I’m actually at the 12 month mark I’ll be purchasing your monthly master plan. I am so freaking excited God bless you love! ❤️
I’ve been married for 20 years now, so not planning on a wedding, but I love your channel! You’re so awesome and entertaining! Congrats again on your launch! Here’s to you, Boss Lady! 🥂
SOS, I am confused! So many reception venues seem to offer all or nothing. They either offer everything from the decor to the food to the dj and everything which might reduce stress but can get expensive and reduce your options OR other places say they basically offer the location and you bring the rest do you either end up DIYing / buying it all yourself or hiring multiple vendors and it seems like that's getting expensive too.. at least if I buy everything I can sell it after and save money later but that seems like A LOT of work.. someone please tell me I'm missing something! 😅
We’re having a first look, 2 hours before the ceremony, then we’re having a lunch with our bridal party where they do our speeches for us haha cos speeches are so boring for everyone else so we are cutting them from the big dinner 😅 cut straight to dancing and dessert!!
Hi , im new to your channel & have a question. I am the mom to the groom & they would like for me to plan the wedding & make sure everything is going as needed but how could I do this without missing this special moment in my sons life. I feel honored to help out but I also don't want to miss out aswell.. Any advice (on top of this my soon to be daughter inlaw would like for her mother & I wed them) I need your guidance/ advice 🙏 ❤ thank you or anyone 😊 for your input
