Wedding Advice Wednesday: Part I

Planning a wedding is a BIG deal. I mean its (hopefully) a one-time event in a woman's life, one that's been dreamed about for years. Heck, she might've even been playing dress up in her faux wedding dress that her parents got her for Christmas since 1994. Not that I speak from experience, and not that that wretched wedding dress up kit had a garter, veil, and headpiece with fake flowers. (Seriously, people, who makes a wedding dress ensemble with a GARTER for a 3 year old?)  *stepping off my soapbox*

That being said, certain parts of the wedding are a big deal, but others really truly just aren't. Which ones are important? What details are the easiest to forget? Do you actually have to walk down the aisle to the "Wedding March"? Do you really need massively horrid flower arrangements decorating the altar? Should you hire a wedding planner?

Below are some tips from the planning process/actual wedding that hopefully you'll find helpful. I'm doing a series on this one, because altogether its a mini novel, so check back every Wednesday for the next month or so for more advice!

1. Do what you like. 

For some details it's better (and easier) to stick to good ol' etiquette. But for some things, who cares! If you don't want the same floating candle circa 1987 centerpiece on every table at your reception, then don't! (And let's just stick with not having floating candle circa 1987 centerpieces regardless of your tastes.)
Every centerpiece at our reception was different (vintage tins, cooking utensils, antique books, etc.) - which, mind you, meant a TON of work for me and my momma since we decorated each centerpiece, took a picture of it, packaged it in its own box with color coordinated ribbon designating what the centerpiece was lacking (fresh flowers, votives, etc.). Then, all those centerpieces had to be assembled by our florist since we were busy getting our hair and makeup done. It was admittedly a headache, but I loved it! And now I have all our centerpieces decorating our house, which is so so special. 

2. For the love of Pete, ladies first.

We ordered our wedding invitations for cheaper than we ever could've made them. We went to a shop (none of that online crap) in Durham and got "seal and send" invites. Basically the invitation was printed on one piece of paper which folded into itself. We sealed it with a wax seal, slapped a stamp on it, then I basically got carpal tunnel addressing the massive stack. We didn't have to deal with multiple envelopes and how to address them, which was awwwwsome.
When we ordered our invitations, the woman who helped us, Pam, was THE wedding etiquette expert for how to address and word all things wedding. She nearly had an aneurism when I told her our wedding website because Miles' name went before mine in the URL. She calmed down when I told her the "Liz and Miles" URL was already occupied.
Moral of the story: always always always list a woman's name before a man's. Why? The rule of thumb is a man's first name should never be separated from his last. I always thought it was proper etiquette to list the man's name first  - nope! So when you're addressing your invites/thank you cards/what have you, its not John and Anna Smith, its either Anna and John Smith or Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.
Now that you know this, there's no chance you'll be having to revive your invite lady back from the dead. You're welcome.