Recently we got to chat with with four brides to be; Ashleigh, Olivia, Charnie and Aryel. Hear their thoughts and tips as they plan their weddings and share hopes and dreams for their future marriages.

Tell us what you love about your fiancé

Charnie: I’m going to lay on the cheese and say literally everything. His kindness, he has the most beautiful heart, and always puts his family and friends first. And his ability to always make me laugh! Oh and his eyes! 

Olivia: I love how he loves me, his heart is so pure and grounded. 

 Ashleigh: I love my partners hard working attitude. He never stops moving or doing. He isn’t afraid of hard work and has the drive to make it happen, whatever it is he wants. It’s a quality that makes me proud and that I admire often. I also love my partners zest for life.

Aryel: He’s so patient and has incredible attention to detail, so the preparation has definitely been a partnership rather than me running things alone. I love that he really cares about every detail, not in a hovering way... but in a supportive way. 

How have your wedding plans been going so far?

 Ashleigh: It’s honestly been so much fun. Every second person will tell you that the day goes so quickly so I have decided to have a wedding year. I will enjoy every meeting, fitting and appointment so that I wont feel so much pressure on the day. If something doesn’t go as expected, its my choice to either stress over it or accept it and move onto the next best thing. My focus is all on my attitude and its working so far! Planning doesn’t have to be stressful! It’s a choice!

Charnie: Pretty good! we have made sure we have booked everything we are certain on! Having my Forever Press Bridal Diary has definitely helped structure the madness!

Aryel: To be honest, it was really difficult at first, because I’m originally from America and planning a wedding in a new country is soo tricky and occasionally lonely, but when I came across the Bridal Diary it was a game changer for me. It’s like having a wedding coordinator in your handbag and it has the most encouraging notes in it that remind your why you’re getting married in the first place.

Have you any wedding planning tips for other brides?

Ashleigh: I got told this wedding tip which has saved my life. I move all my emails into a specific folder so they are easy to find! It takes ages to find invoices or information needed when your sifting through all your other personal emails, spam and advertisings etc. I promise, you will refer back to old e-mails to tie loose ends!

Charnie: At first, don’t feel like you need to start planning straight away, just enjoy the moments and emotions of being newly engaged, because once you start a little bit of planning, you won’t be able to stop! We made sure we booked the suppliers that can only do one wedding a day first, eg. Venues, Photographer, videographer etc. so that we secured who we wanted, whereas other elements like centerpieces, invites, signs etc. we have done over time! It’s also important to go with your heart when making choices, it’s easy to fall in love with the many different styles and designs on Pinterest, but be true to who you are as a couple and make decisions based on what feels right. 

Aryel: I would say, don’t waste your energy on things that aren’t important - focus on what matters to you and your partner. This helps make sure that when you’re not wedding planning and out on a date, you haven’t wasted your energy and you can give each other your best. Also, stay organised - an organised you, is a healthy you.

What is one thing you’re looking forward to when you’re married?

Aryel: Oooo I’m actually looking forward to building a home together, even just the little things like picking out lamps and sofas - but also capturing memories of our first apartment together, first breakfast in bed on the weekend as a married couple. Just the everyday life you know?

Ashleigh: I’m looking forward to having children. Cliché answer but its something I’ve wanted since I was little. My partner is traditional and wanted to get us working full time, in our own house and married. A respectable opinion I think! Since then, we have worked incredibly hard to make this all happen and now we have had the best eleven months engaged in our first new house, its time to extend our love by procreating! 

Olivia: The one thing I am looking forward to the most in my future marriage is not having to leave him at night. Spending time with each other and building a life together.

Charnie: Just doing life together, having each other’s backs, creating a family of our own, and growing old together.

We hope these answers inspire you as you plan and prepare for marriage. Thank you to each lovely bride for taking the time to answer each question.

xx