7 Wedding Expectations versus 7 Jolts of Reality

Are your wedding expections set too high? Do you think you have every angle covered so nothing can go wrong?  Think again.

photo from Kack.me

• Expectation:  My wedding will be perfect.  Nothing will go wrong.

• Reality: Murphy's Law: If something can go wrong, it will and at the most inopportune moment.  Every wedding has something go wrong.  It can be insignificant or major, like the cake falling down.  Just roll with it. Some things you just can't control. 
• The day before my wedding I came down with a horrible cold. I was so sick that I could barely stand up and the cold meds made me sleepy and loopy.  We were getting married outside in a garden and my husband's allergies hit him as soon as I was by his side.  We laugh that he was allergic to me or that the guests thought it was his way to get out of the wedding.  As awful as we both felt at that moment, the pics show two happy people who looked great. 

•  Expectation: It's my day, it's all about me.

• Realty:  It's not all about you, it's about you and your partner entering into a marriage together.  It's about family and friends celebrating your union.  It's about love, and you are but a part of it. 

• Expectation: Our wedding will be just like a royal wedding.
• Reality : Unless your parents are royalty, you are marrying royalty, or you are the only child of billionaires, you can't afford it.

• Expectation: My bridesmaids will be so much help.
• Reality: Your bridesmaids will be busy with their own life, school, jobs, kids.  Don't expect them to stop what they are doing to help with a wedding chore at the drop of a hat. Don't think they will be available at your beck and call.  The more considerate you are of their time, the more they will be willing to help.

• Expectation: Everyone's going to get along.
• Reality: Exes who don't get along outside of the wedding may or may not behave AT the wedding. Seat mom and her new spouse and dad and his new spouse at opposite ends of the hall and station relatives nearby that will keep them from crossing paths. 

• Maids have been known to argue and not agree.  Once at my bridal salon, a large group of maids got into a fist fight that spilled outside.  They left in separate cars leaving the bride alone in the salon crying...and with no ride for the hour and a half  drive home. PS: These women are attorneys.

• Expectation: My bachelorette party will be a weekend in Las Vegas.

photo from Bachelorettevegas.com

• Reality:  Unless you live in Las Vegas or nearby, its not likely to happen. I had many brides in my bridal salon cry because all the plans were messed up. Maids didn't have the money because they were college students, newly married, just had a baby, couldn't get out of work or school and they just didn't save the money to travel.  Be realistic.  And if they can go, or if they do go, don't expect them to pay your way, your hotel room, your food and all your drinks.  Party close to home and they'll love you forever.

• Expectation: The bridesmaids are going to love the dresses I've picked out.
• Reality: There are going to be maids that despise your choice of dress that they probably will never wear again. Keep your maids body issues in mind when you pick out dresses. If you have a maid that is large busted or uncomfortable in a strapless dress.  Allow them to add a shrug or bolero or have your maids pick out a style that flatters them in the same fabric,color and length as you specify. Your pics and wedding will look uniform and fab with all the maids looking smashing and happy. 

photo from weddings in the Philippines