A Bride’s List of Wedding Essentials

As a little girl, I had no inkling that I will be a bride someday.  Although I do dress up my Barbie doll and match her with Ken, I was also a tomboy preferring to play hide-and-seek and tag with my troop in the afternoon sun.  Nor do teachers teach a course on how to become a bride.  And so when the time came to plan for the wedding, I was a bit lost.  Okay, okay.  I admit.  I didn’t know anything AT ALL.  Yes, I’ve attended lots of weddings but brides all around know that it’s different once you’re amidst the planning and all.

So from me to you, here’s a list of wedding essentials every bride must have.

1.    Pep Squad.  Face it.  Not all grooms are into the wedding planning thing.  Ecru, white and beige colored textiles look all the same to them.  It is important that a bride gets all the help she can get by having her girls behind her — sister, bestfriend, mom or mother-in-law.  Putting all the weight of the planning on the bride does not make a happy bride.  Your girlfriends can always keep you sane and prevent you from morphing into bridezilla.

2.    Wedding Dress.  Whether planning for a grand wedding or a simple ceremony, much thought must be given to what you are going to wear.  Twenty or thirty years down the line, you wouldn’t want to look back at your wedding cringing at the memory of you wearing your mom’s wedding dress that would have been perfect in the 70s but are simply outdated in the present era.  Know your cut.  Try different styles of dresses — tube, spaghetti straps, ball gown, georgette, and empire cut are just few of the styles out there.  Hook up with your bestfriend, go to the mall and try on the dresses.  Yes, you can hire a couturier BUT it’s also essential that you know what is right for you.

3.    Shoes.  Why do brides even bother with shoes right when most dresses cover the feet and even the whole length of the aisle?  Two things:  comfort and garter ceremony.  Most of the time you will be on your feet — an hour for the exchange of vows and a minimum of two hours for the reception.  I tell you, you need to have comfortable shoes on!  If you do have the garter ceremony where the groom slides down the garter from your leg, you’d want a nice pair of heels for show.

4.    Hair and Make-Up Artist.  If you are confident in your hair and make-up skills, by all means, do it on your own.  Most brides though prefer to have their own stylist — relieving them of the pressure.  Don’t choose an artist because she comes highly recommended by a friend.  Test the artist yourself by scheduling a trial hair and make-up.  If you’re like me — a crybaby, you might want to use water-proof mascara.  Also, some artists stay for the whole duration of the event to do touch-ups too.

5.    Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.  In traditional weddings, these four things are non-negotiable.  But don’t worry, your mom or grandmother will take care of this more or less.  An old item could also be a borrowed item like a pair of heirloom earrings.  If your motif isn’t blue, you can still put on a blue garter.  Of course the “something new” can mean your dress.

6.    Accessories.  Baubles, bangles, and beads add to the whole “bride look”.  But I say, use these sparingly as nothing else can be more beautiful but the bride itself.  Planning to put a tiara or flowers on your hair?  How about a necklace and a pair of earrings?  With a heavy designed top, you might want to do away with a necklace.  Let nothing hang on your arms that can eclipse the magnificence of your wedding and engagement rings.

7.    Bouquet.  Flowers are staple items in any wedding.  Wonder why a bride must have a bouquet as she walks down the aisle?  Well, the contrast of a beautiful bouquet on the white of a bride’s wedding gown do add to the drama — but at the same time, it gives the bride something to hold on to as she walks slowly concealing her trembling hands.

8.    Legal Documents.  Unless you are planning to wed in Vegas, religious orders and even the city hall require legal documents.  It differs from country to country, so better find out what the requirements are.  Securing a marriage license is the key document along with your birth certificate.

9.    A Day at the Spa.  Before the wedding day, slow down and have a relaxing day at the spa.  Ask your girlfriends to join you — as this could also double for your bridal shower.  Get a massage and a facial.  Don’t forget to also get a manicure and pedicure.

10.    Good Humor.  No wedding is perfect.  Accept the fact that things will not go as planned all throughout the ceremony and reception.  You may not be able to taste your food, the best man gives a bad speech or worse, you might trip on your long trail — but hey, you’re marrying the man of your dreams.  Everything else is just fluff.