A Love Letter to the Newbie Bride (Los Angeles Weddings)

 The original version of this appeared in my weekly column for The Broke-Ass Bride, one of the best places online for wedding inspiration, spend, splurge or save. Go over there and see!

Oh, yeah. This is going to be fun!

Dear Newbie Bride,

Let me be the 50th person to congratulate you on your engagement. Welcome to Wedding World!
You’re going to love it.
First of all, at the end of all this, you’re going to be married to the love of your life. That’s cool. Second of all, Wedding World is very, very pretty, so you’ll have a lot of neat stuff to look at for the next few months. Third of all, you are going to learn so much. Not just about weddings, but about yourself, your relationship with the love of your life, and more importantly, about what you do and do not want, in general.

Here’s a hint: Just like in life, you can have pretty much whatever you want at your wedding, using whatever it is that you already have. Yes, I’m talking about money, but I’m also talking about personal skills and resources, and time. Time is very important in wedding world – you have plenty of it. Even if you don’t think you do, you do.

Ah, yes, money. Things can get kind of expensive in Wedding World. This can be daunting for those of who can’t spend untold thousands of dollars on one day. If you can’t afford it, then don’t spend it. Bottom line. REFUSE to spend it, and find alternatives that works. This is why God made the internet. I LIVE for wedding planning questions. Literally. Don’t give up. Giving up is stupid.

Will it be stressful? Well, of course. Yes, at some point, you’re going to want to run screaming away from everything. So, take a break, and run away. Your wedding will still be there when you return. Step back and remember what’s at the end of the aisle: Married to the love of your life, surrounded by your favorite people, eating cake, all while wearing a beautiful dress. When it’s over, you’re going to say to yourself, “wow, that went by really fast”, and it will. Enjoy it as much as you can, even if that means occasionally not dealing with it at all. And, if you feel like you need help, never be afraid to ask for it.

Did I mention all the pretty? Yes? Good. Did I mention how much fun you’re going to have? You are going to have such a good time. You are going to try on gorgeous dresses, and you’re going to have that Christmas Morning Moment when you see yourself in THE dress. You’re going to taste really good cake. You are going to laugh with the love of your life, and with your bridesmaids, and with your PHOTOGRAPHER even, over some inside joke, or something hilariously freaking funny/stupid thing one of you did or said. You will laugh about these for the rest of your life. On your wedding day, you will be surrounded by everyone you love and everyone who loves you. Your favorite music will be playing, your favorite foods will be served, and I’m not exactly sure what else you’ll need to have a great time. It’s all there for you.

And at the end of that aisle, you will have accomplished so much more than you ever thought you were capable of. You are going to feel like a Superstar. And you’re right. You are.

If you weren’t able to tell, I’m very excited for you. And I can’t wait to hear all about it. And remember, if you need help – just let me know.

See you at the end of the aisle,
Liz Coopersmith
Silver Charm Events
www.silvercharmevents.com
323-592-9318