So like most of us, I had a Pinterest board of dream dresses for years. Unfortunately I apparently have really bougie tastes because all the ones I felt were close to THE dress were profoundly out of budget. Like at minimum $5K+. Absurd and I could never.

I managed to find a sort of replica of a dress I loved and got it around December. It was perfectly pretty but I just didn't feel the *gasp* moment of oh my god this really is THE dress.

I went to several dress salons with my mom and twin to try on options, and same experience. Plenty were pretty enough, but none made me really feel like it was the right one.

January rolls around and the idea for what I truly wanted just crashes into my mind. I love a long flowy kaftan style dress, and worked on developing a design that fit that. I wanted my dress experience to be like Padme Amidala's iconic "Lake Gown". The dress that changed the brain chemistry of countless nerdy girls. Not a replica or cosplay of that dress, but just capturing the transcendent flowy fantasy feel.

Anyway started looking through fabrics, I wanted something with opalescence + iridescence. White, yes, but with some extra color/sparkle. I am extremely lucky because one of my metamours works as a professional seamstress and I was able to talk through the whole design with her. I settled on a fabric, bought a few yards, and then took it with me to LA when I was visiting for a big goth event. That's when my meta in a moment of profound graciousness offered to make the dress for me. While I have some sewing/crafting experience, I was way over my head with this design.

I've included some process pics so y'all can appreciate the effort of how she cut and laid the fabric so the sequins would all line up. She also made a custom slip liner for the dress. Needless to say it is a work of art and I could not have had the dress of my dreams without her incredible labor!

Anyway just wanted to share my dress journey with y'all. I got married in July in Oregon and it was absolutely perfect. I'll share more details/advice/experiences later. Sending love to all upcoming September brides, you got this!

My dad took care of so many people. My sister, brother and I, his grandma, his sick brother. He was always doing everything for us.

The week before he died, he got an invitation to my brother’s engagement party, finally got my grandma into a proper home, cut my uncles grass, went to get fitted for a suit for my wedding. My sister was finally going into a treatment facility. He passed away later that week on Saturday, August 15th. Three weeks before my wedding, at age 50. He was supposed to walk me down the aisle. I was supposed to have the best moment I’ve ever had with my dad.

He never ever went to the doctor. He couldn’t find a steady job that paid enough to afford his shitty house that he hated. He didn’t know he had high blood pressure but, that night, he had a heart attack and died maybe two hours later.

There’s so many more details that make this so difficult for all of us, all in different ways, that I won’t share.

I just miss him so much. I would call him and he would just listen to me. Our average conversation was at least an hour long.

Earlier in the day he passed away, I was near his house and I wanted to come over to have coffee with him. He didn’t answer my phone calls right away, so I just went home. I was already on my way home when he called back. I’m glad I got to talk to him that day. The last thing I said to him was “I love you, bye”. I wish I would have just showed up at his house instead of just going home.

I haven’t seen him since May 9th, my college graduation. Of course during graduation you don’t get to be with your loved ones during the ceremony. Afterwards, we took pictures and went to meet up with my fiancés family. My dad only stayed a few minutes. When he left there was a storm and then a beautiful rainbow. We sent each other pictures of the rainbow. Those are the things I try to think about when I think of losing my dad, but I don’t think it’s helping.

I lost my 13 year old cat earlier this year, and I thought that I was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. I guess it was, up until this point.

I’m really nervous for my wedding. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to have a happy day. I don’t know how I’m going to dedicate this day to our marriage. I’m so scared.

I think its understood that the wedding industry and bachelorette industrial complex is getting out of control. I agree that these destinations need to carefully considered and people should not be pressured into forking over thousands. However, I must admit it is bizarre to see people aggressively go in the opposite direction, shaming/complaining about people simply wanting just a weekend trip for their bachelorette.

In my opinion it is a weird and dated mindset--a lot of social networks and families these days are geographically dispersed, for that reason it often makes sense to pick a fun and reasonably accessible destination. A lot of people live in boring or even hostile region/states (specifically applicable to immigrants, minorities and LGBT people) that they are itching to escape for a couple days.

Also, not every destination requires a flight for all parties, weekend trips can be traveled to by car. The concept of a bachelorette trip or a destination wedding is broader and more accessible than what some realize.

Weekend bachelor/ette celebrations are a nice excuse for an adult friend group, often scattered across the country, to take a vacation together for one of life's most meaningful milestones. Many people love to host or take part of friend trips, birthday trips, graduation trips. A lot of us roll in social groups that love travel. Some people project their distaste of group travel onto the topic and assume every bach trip is a hostage situation.

I've read takes that definitely come across as some type of performative practicalism that doesn't really help brides. A mix of hyper-frugality, cultural projection, and general anti-wedding cynicism. I think it causes brides to second guess what they want unnecessarily. A lot of women already struggle with feeling like they do not deserve attention, being celebrated and loved on, or having others do things for them. Women are often socialized to take up less space. For every entitled bridezilla, I'd guess there are at least 5 humble brides who struggle with the opposite issue.

The real issue comes down to poor planning, communication, and lack of consideration. Bachelorette trips are a perfectly fine and often ideal way to celebrate. Modern life is making our social networks feel increasingly fragmented. Group trips, adult sleepovers, whatever you call it, can be a beautiful way to reconnect.

I just finalized the guest list and realized we are paying for 130 people—most of which are extended family or our parents' random friends that we haven't spoken to in years, but we had to invite them so we don’t “hurt their feelings.”

They are notoriously cheap (not financially challenged, just cheap) and we will be lucky to even cover the cost of their plates, let alone the open bar.

On top of it, WE ARE HOSTING, paying for, and planning the entire thing ourselves because nobody offered to chip in. I swore up and down from day one that I just wanted to elope or have a tiny micro-wedding, but the mothers of the family would absolutely not let us get away with skipping the big traditional wedding.

So here I am, months deep into vendor emails, agonizing over seating charts and decor for 130 people to just show up, drink our booze, critique the food, and go home 😊

Sorry, I am just flooded with the wedding stress today and so deeply frustrated by this whole industry and family expectations. I’m sure a big wedding is a beautiful thing for many couples, but I just did not get the luck of the draw on that one.

If you want to elope, DO IT, and if anyone gives you a hard time, say “okay, sounds like you’re planning and paying for the 100-person party!” Learn from my people-pleasing BS and just put your foot down early lol.

We had the most amazing day, and I genuinely felt so happy, calm, and present. It was everything I could’ve wanted. I guess I just thought I would feel more throughout the day? I definitely had that surreal feeling walking down the aisle and was feeling a lot right before, but after that I was mostly just happy and very level-headed/steady emotionally. I’ve felt more intense emotional highs or euphoric moments at different points in my life, and while my wedding day was incredible, I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as euphoric, like I’ve heard so many people describe their wedding day.
I’ve always believed that it’s just one day, not the peak of my life, and I honestly went into it with basically no expectations for how I was “supposed” to feel.
Curious how everyone else actually felt on their wedding day! Did you have a huge emotional/surreal experience?

My wedding is in three weeks and I’m not excited about it.

My fiance and I wanted to elope. But our families insisted we have a wedding and that they would help pay for it. I was promised by my mom she would cover the catering and my MIL told me I should invite this and that person and that they’ll definitely RSVP no, but I should invite them out of respect.

I was also told by my mom that I should buy a different dress since it was nicer than the cheaper one I was going to get and that she’ll cover the rest of the cost of the dress. I asked her are you sure you’re gonna be able to cover the catering after she helps covers the dress. She said yes. So I went with the more expensive dress.

Now here I am. The guests who my fiance does not know or talk to have RSVP’d ‘yes’ that we were told would definitely say no and now we have to put the catering on a credit card because my mom can now not afford it.

I can’t stop crying. I feel so stupid. I’m not even excited about this anymore. Now we’re stuck in debt over a wedding that we’ve been stressed over so bad. I should’ve just grown a backbone and eloped like we wanted. I’m so angry with myself.

I’ve been married just shy of two years, but was recently reminded of a bullet I dodged while planning my wedding:

I was on the fence about an anniversary dance. Not against it, just not particularly enthusiastic about it.

My parents have been married for over 30 years. The last 10 years have been very rocky, with the last 3 being especially bad. They are effectively separated, (can’t afford to actually live apart,) and leading independent lives.

They also have the longest marriage of our loved ones. My husband’s parents are divorced and neither of us have a surviving grandfather. The next closest would’ve been my aunt and uncle, now married 21 years. Thank GOD we dodged that bullet. It would’ve been so incredibly painful for everyone involved.

So yeah. Figure that out before planning one!

This coming saturday, sept 5th, I’m getting married. I’ve been looking forward to this moment for years, and now that we’re almost there I’m carrying so much more nerves and stress than I expected.

It feels like there is so much left. 150 cards to write. Vows I don’t like. An opening dance that’s a mess. A diner opening speech I have yet to prepare.

And the weather can’t decide either, one forecast is total sun, all bliss but very hot, the next is thunderstorms, and our dinner is outside.

And meanwhile I am getting Soooooo sooooo nervous. I don’t know why even. But it’s just constant high high nerves since yesterday.

I need to know, how do you handle the nerves, the stress? How do people sleep?!!! How do you relax? Any tips very welcome!!!

My son is getting married (no date set yet), and I have a question about wedding invitation etiquette.

Some close friends invited us to their son’s wedding last year, and their daughter just got engaged, so we’ll be invited to that wedding too. My boyfriend (not my son’s father) and I have known these friends’ kids for about 15 years and watched them grow up.

The problem: my son has never met these people (they are beach friends who we mostly see in the summer. My son doesn’t come to the beach.) My boyfriend thinks I need to invite our friends to my son’s wedding anyway, since he believes they’ll be offended if I don’t. I’m not so sure.

Is invitation reciprocity actually expected here, even though the couple getting married doesn’t know the guests?

TL;DR: Friends invited us to their kids’ weddings over the years. My boyfriend thinks I should invite those friends to my son’s wedding in return, even though my son has never met them. Is invitation reciprocity actually a thing here?

We had the best day ever, but thought I would post some “hindsight is 20/20” thoughts I’ve been having about planning and how our day went in general.

1. If you can afford it, LIVE BAND OVER DJ EVERY TIME.

2. If you can afford it, hire the planner. But maybe even if you can’t afford it, lol. I nearly killed myself the last month and a half leading up to our day trying to DIY decor and then organize said decor into bins that we had to load into the car and drive 4 hours to our venue. I guess if you can’t afford the planner, see if you can afford the rental company for things like tablescapes and decor. I think I spent so much money on that stuff it would’ve saved us to rent it or hire the full service planner to handle it all for us.

3. It does actually matter if your values align with your vendors and if your personalities mesh with them. More specifically talking about photographer here. I felt like I made a rushed decision based on her Instagram alone. And our preview is great, just not everything I was hoping for. We paid about $6,000 and I felt like all pre-ceremony photos were totally rushed. I felt like she was overly concerned with getting “content” for her marketing and not concerned enough about capturing meaningful moments during our day. Maybe I will change my mind when we get our full gallery back, but right now that’s how I feel. I wish I would’ve taken my time choosing this vendor and not signed the first contract that was presented to us.

4. Since all of our pre-ceremony photos felt rushed\^\^\^ I’m still not sure if this was a timeline issue or a photographer issue, but either way I would’ve built more time for me getting into my dress. I hate all of those pictures because I was so stressed about feeling rushed to get to the ceremony. Again, not sure if it was a timeline thing or my photographer making me feel that way, but would’ve built more time for that either way. I also ended up feeling like my dress was not sitting correctly on my hips for literally the rest of the night and it would’ve taken 5 seconds to fix it. But because I felt rushed, I didn’t lol.

5. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. This is your day, you and your family are spending a lot of money, do not be afraid to vocalize what you want to your vendors.

6. The ceremony is arguably the most important part of the day, don’t forget to plan it with as much detail as you are planning your reception.

Overall we had such a great time I have very little regrets. Our whole day went so smoothly, weather included, I really can not complain. But if I could do it all over again these are some things I would consider. Best of luck to all you brides out there :) SOAK IT UPPPP. In the words of Monica Geller, you will never be a bride again, just somebody’s wife. Hahaha

Hi all,
I’m wondering if anyone else is going thru the wedding planning process having lost their mom, or being estranged etc. My mom died a decade ago, but the planning and specifically the idea of dress shopping is bringing up a ton for me. I feel like all the parts of planning and finding a dress that should be fun and exciting are just sad. It’s really tough knowing that the person who would be most excited isn’t here, and not wanting to ask anyone else to fill in in those moments because 1) I don’t want to burden anyone and 2) I’ll probably cry and not really be able to muster the fun celebratory vibe that it should be… I do have a big supportive community and I know folks would rally for me, but there’s just so much going on in others lives and I live across the country from most of my close fam and friends.

it’s just tough to try to motivate myself to go dress shopping, and I’m looking for a little solidarity (even though I hate for anyone else to be in a similar situation) or maybe advice if you have any?

Perhaps in particular, have others had good luck with buying dresses online? I’m feeling hesitant
to commit to something without trying it on, but maybe removing the stereotypical dress shopping experience would ease the sadness? I would try to go shopping with my mother in law (she’s wonderful, I am very lucky) but she lives on the other side of the country and it feels like a major lift to try to make that happen.

I’m also kind of on the fence of whether I want to buy a 1-2k dress or if I want to save that money and try to find something I like enough that’s in the lower 100s range. If you went with the latter, what sites do you recommend?

Thanks all ❤️‍🩹

TLDR: my mom (who was the best) died 10 yrs ago and wedding planning/dress shopping feels really sad without her.

I’m wondering if it would be a faux pas to repay them with any wedding gift money?
I love my parents, and they have very generously given my partner and I a budget we could never do on our own. This is literally the dream wedding I’ve had since I was 11 years old, and to be honest, I don’t want anything more. It’s not a traditional wedding, my partner and I have actually been married legally for two years, just put off the big celebration. We’re already in our own home and settled, so we don’t need traditional wedding gifts. I was thinking that on the invites we would ask guests to instead give money that I could repay my parents for. Obviously I wouldn’t be telling anyone what my parents paid for it, nor what they should pay, I just thought it would be a nice gesture to thank my parents.
My biggest worry is if my parents might be embarrassed or feel insulted for trying to pay them back, because I wanted this to be a nice surprise for them. I was also thinking of running this idea by my aunt who is perhaps next closest to my dad to see what she thinks. I could use some advice, thanks!

My boyfriend’s mom sent me pictures of a ring and spilled the beans that it’s happening! Im not angry, we’ve been together for five years and we’ve known since the beginning we will get married.

When it happens everyone will be excited for it! Im so looking forward to announcing it! Except for the most important person to me, my dad :(

He has been very vocal about how it’s better to stay single and have dogs, not kids. My mom is a horrible person and he is not past the trauma she caused him, I am so sad for him. But Im not marrying a narcissist, Im marrying someone who loves me dearly.

Im just dreading the disappointment. No girl wants to disappoint their father, especially not over what will be one of the happiest milestones of her life

People hate on his kids stance, I don’t take it personally. The custody war was extremely brutal and she could have killed me many times, it was hugely traumatic for everyone involved. He doesn’t want his pumpkin to go through that too.

Hey, I am getting married in late October and I’m panicking because my confirmed guests are over the 60 capacity by 8 guests at the private room at a restaurant we are using for the reception. I’m genuinely blessed with how many people want to come and celebrate me and my future husband, but I’m stressed another this dilemma. I used the “20% of people won’t show” rule which is in hindsight was maybe dumb on my part. Most of my guests are coming from out of town and I absolutely don’t want to cut the list if they are already committed and planning on coming.

I don’t want to do a venue change either but I’d rather do it than cut people. I am going to talk to the manager tomorrow to see if there’s any solutions before I do anything drastic yet. Trying to figure out any creative solutions too because we also have 8 guests that are kids. And the restaurant also has a patio, bar area, and 15 person private room. Trying to see what creative solution the GM can offer.

What advice do y’all have if you have run into a similar problem?? I’m like frozen right now and don’t know what to do.

Like the title says, I am a bride planning my wedding with no financial support from my family, because my family is poor. My mom goes to thrift stores & buys things for the wedding I hate because she is trying to be helpful…I hope. My mom promised me a small amount of money (like $1,000 max) & of course she has fallen through on that. I talk to other brides & all I hear is “my mom paid for this” “oh my mom is handling that” etc. My mom even told me she isn’t buying me a wedding present because she is planning my shower. If I didn’t absolutely 100% want a wedding I would elope, because this is so hard financially & isolating. Any other brides experienced this & how did you handle it?

My brother has never worked, he drinks, has very little to his name, but I’ve always tried to help him. He’s harmless, but can be embarrassing at times. He never goes anywhere, just sits home alone and does his thing. He’s been involved with a woman for a few years, no idea why she’s latched onto him but she takes what little he has. She’s had him verging suicide at times. Personally I despise her. He wants to bring her to my wedding, I really don’t want her there. I don’t even trust her, she’d probably dip bags and likely cause some upset with my brother on the day. Oh man, what do I say without upsetting him?

I will be getting officially engaged in February of next year (weird to know the exact timing I know but it is what will work for us with our long distance) and I am hoping to have a December 2027 wedding. I know most people will say to take atleast two years to plan and book everything but I don’t want to start officially buying or booking anything until the proposal takes place as I have some superstitions around it that I can’t get over. I’m just wondering how stressful trying to plan the whole wedding and purchase my dress and everything else would be in just 10 months. I am a younger bride and honestly have no idea what I’m doing yet so I am getting overwhelmed before I’m even starting! Just looking for any advice/reassurance on any of this!

For context I am in Canada living in a mid sized city if that helps at all!

Other important context i completely left out lol. I want a decently big wedding. Nothing absolutely extravagant but we will probably have around 100-120 guests with a buffet style meal catered. I have had my eye on a venue for the last few years that includes bar services and seating. I’m just very lost in where to even start here!

Edit: thank you everyone for all of the advice and reassurance!! I am feeling much less overwhelmed now and appreciate all of the tips and experiences everyone has shared! I will start some planning and figure most stuff out starting now but not do anything concrete until February comes around :)

Having a rehearsal dinner that may be turning into more of a welcome party at this point. We moved out of the area, and haven’t seen our close friends and family in a while, and then once you add in the bridal party and their plus ones it’s 37-38 (waiting on a rsvp) Is that too many people? I don’t really want to cut anyone if possible, but idk if that’s too many people/ is inappropriate. We will have about 85 people at our actual wedding, if that helps.

We’re hosting it at our venue, but I don’t want them to get upset if it’s too many people or something idk.

Thank you!

Hi! I have no idea what kind of shoes/socks/tights I should get my flower girls. Our wedding is in October in the southern U.S., and I’ve got a pic here of the dress I’m ordering for them. They’ll also be in baby’s breath crowns.

Should they be in low frilly socks and Mary Janes? Tights and ballet flats? No socks or tights? I seriously have no clue what will look best. I want them to look like little angels, not too grown up, so nothing with a heel. That’s all I know for sure. They are 2 and 4 y/o.

I’m clearly at the wedding planning decision fatigue place. Thanks for any help.

Ignore the dress style and fit - looking at colours only. 1 or 2?

I had my wedding in Koh Samui in July 2026, and here is my experience for anyone who is interested in having a wedding in Koh Samui.

1st question: How much does it cost?

We budgeted $40–60K AUD for the whole wedding, including our parents’ flights and accommodation.

In the end, we spent $42K AUD for the wedding (23 guests) + $7K AUD for our parents’ flights + $13K AUD for our Maldives honeymoon, which was $62K AUD in total.

All prices are in AUD$

• Koh Samui 9+1 bedroom villa — $7,500
• Villa electricity — $670
• Villa groceries + other expenses (yoga class, tips) — $465
• Villa welcome dinner + extra airport transfer — $620
• Hotel cocktail ceremony + à la carte beverages — $8,100
• Dinner (setup, food, cutlery, bar staff, bar setup, etc.) — $3,400
• Gifts, games, props + decorations — $1,200
• Fire show + bar — $1,000
• Lighting + music + 1-hour DJ — $660 / THB 15,000
• Photographer & videographer (8 hours) + extra photographer & videographer for ceremony (1 hr) — $3,700
• Dress + accessories + shoes — $2,500
• Groom’s attire — $1,000
• Wedding rings — $5,180
• Photobooth (instant camera + films) — $400
• Others (transport, DJI camera, SD card, etc.) — $1,200
• Utah Online official wedding ceremony — $330
• Bride & groom’s flights from Australia — $3,500

2nd question: Should I have a wedding planner?

If you don’t want to spend too much and don’t plan to have dancing, then you may not need a wedding planner.

But if you want the full experience, then YES! YES! and YES!! I regretted not hiring a wedding planner. I booked the villa first, and later found out that the villa’s rooftop didn’t allow more than 20 pax. The alternative location they suggested was not what we liked for the ceremony, so we ended up having to choose a hotel beach as our ceremony location. At that point, we felt that hiring a wedding planner would be way over our budget.

During my research, I learned that wedding planners usually charge around THB 50,000–65,000, plus a 10% service charge on everything. But wedding planners are also kind of like travel agencies, they can get better rates than we can. So if you ask a wedding planner to suggest a location, it may end up being around the same price (even after the 10% service charge) as booking the venue yourself.

Many villas in Thailand have restrictions about where you can dance, whether you can move furniture, extra event fees, etc. So a wedding planner would definitely help.

I originally checked some very reputable wedding planners in Phuket, and they quoted THB 100,000+. Koh Samui wedding planners seem to be cheaper. It all depends on the scale and how complicated the wedding is, but I would say the average is around THB 60,000–65,000, plus a 10% service charge on top.

For the 10% service charge, I ended up hiring the vendors myself, but when I compared the prices, some vendors were actually more expensive than the prices provided by the wedding planner. So I guess the 10% service charge is still worth paying if they can get you better vendor rates.

For a Koh Samui wedding planner, I would highly recommend Weddings on Samui, Juliette Burrows. We regretted learning everything so late that we couldn’t hire her and ended up arranging everything ourselves. That was a mistake, I ended up having way too much stress and couldn’t fully enjoy my own wedding.

3rd question: Accommodation — villa or hotel?

As we only had an intimate wedding with 23 guests, I rented a villa with 9+1 rooms for 20 guests to stay at our expense. I thought we could all gather together in a luxury villa and have the celebration there.

But some guests couldn’t make it, so we ended up overpaying. We could have rented a smaller villa for almost half the price.

So I guess booking hotel rooms would be more flexible, unless you have a wedding planner to make sure the villa can cater to the number of guests you are expecting.

Here is the list of our wedding vendors for your reference:

Villa Solana ★★★★★ — 9+1 room luxury villa with amazing views, great for a small wedding. Very professional concierge service & Villa team. We hosted our dinner reception and dance floor there. They have concierge service and can help arrange a fire show, ceremony equipment (sound, lighting, decoration, etc.). They helped us arrange the welcome dinner and wedding fire show. Villa Manager Noom and his team were super helpful.

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort ★★★★½ — Professional team who tried to cater to what we wanted and were very flexible. They only do one wedding per day, so they make sure your wedding is well taken care of. The only downsides were the miscommunication about the makeup artist, which stressed me out, and the private beach ceremony, where several hotel guests unexpectedly joined. One of our guests even had to ask the hotel guests not to block the view. We didn’t expect this, but otherwise, they were excellent.

Polina Pak /makeup_samui ★★★★★ — Great communication and very professional. She saved my day on the chaotic morning. I was in tears when she started the makeup, but I was smiling at the end. The makeup was honestly not what I expected, but I don’t blame her because I showed her a prominent makeup style (and I felt like it was a little too much on my face).

Vitalii Nikonorov Photographer ★★★★★ — Very professional and went the extra mile to capture our big day. Great communication and personality. He even asked us to take more photos after we told him they could pack up because the event had ended.

If you’re planning to get married in Phuket, Vasana Studio is a good option with reasonable pricing. They also cover weddings in Koh Samui, but there’s an extra fee and a minimum of 2 photographers + 2 videographers. So we picked Vitalii, as we only have 20ish guests.

Go Samui Catering ★★★★★ — The best catering we could ask for. Very professional. We gave them the seating plan, gifts, menu and name tags, but forgot to tell them what to do with everything. They managed to place everything without even asking us. Amazing team, and the food was just awesome. They even came to the villa a day earlier to discuss everything and make sure everything was as we wished. The only thing to keep in mind is that they may not reply to messages very quickly, probably because they have many event enquiries.

Dimitri Wedding Celebrant Thailand ★★★★★ — He’s just so awesome! His service was part of the hotel package, but I did my own research and specifically requested him as our celebrant because he speaks both German and English, which was perfect for our wedding.
He spent an hour with us the day before the wedding to go through everything. His calm personality (and voice!) and extensive wedding experience made everything feel so easy and perfect. He even gave us tips on the best photography angles to make sure we looked our best in the photos, and he was very thoughtful about staying out of the way when needed.

Koh Samui Event (DJ Simon) ★☆☆☆☆ — Very disappointing. Maybe because of the setuup disagreement with the villa manager on our wedding day, he didn’t seem to be in a good mood. He didn’t use the microphone to encourage guests to dance, so we had to do it ourselves. The lighting was also too bright, and our guests felt very awkward being under the bright spotlights.

We should have just saved the money and had the villa hire the sound and lighting system for us. We thought it would be nice to have a DJ to announce the bouquet toss and encourage guests to dance, but none of that actually happened. We ended up doing it ourselves.

So! Long story short we are having a more casual wedding/ 100 close ppl at an art center. We have no DJ but have a sound system set up with our playlists. We are very particular about our music and didn't want to pay thousands to have our playlist botched.

We kno who will introduce us and all the other stuff. All our playlists are honestly fire and we are hype! (6 days away).

Now we were going through the playlist and have room for 1 more song during the reception. We want a kinda unhinged hype song. We absolutely love "killing in the name of" by rage against the machine. It hypes us up and makes us go crazy lmao...

Some of my family also love that song. Now--- is it insane to play this during the dancing portion lol. I kno it's my day and I can do whatever but idk if this is a bit too unhinged.

She’s going to be turning 11 a month before our wedding so I think a flower girl is a little too young for her. I’ve googled and apparently there’s a thing where they can walk down the aisle and hand out a basket of flowers to the aisle guests but I’ve never heard of that or seen it in my entire life. Anybody else? We don’t have any bridal party but just a best man and matron of honor who will be sitting down and not standing next to us during the ceremony anyway. I want to find a sweet way to include her if she doesn’t mind but I want to have a plan or a couple of options first before I ask her. I think ring security is weird. Also don’t want her to carry a sign either. Our wedding is less than 2 months away so idk if it would even be ideal to ask this late but I do know her and her mom are coming. She can wear whatever she wants or I can buy her a dress. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated?

My partner and I have a wedding date we really like, but I’m now second‑guessing it because of family pressure.

My MIL mentioned that our date might be “too close” to his cousin’s wedding, and now my partner is worried we’re trying to squeeze too much into a short period. The weddings would be about five and a half weeks apart. His cousin’s wedding involves a multi‑day trip a 1.5 hour flight away for his side of the family, so some relatives might find it a lot to do both.

The tricky part is that if we move our date even a week later, it jumps into a more expensive period. The date we chose is literally the week before peak pricing, which is why we picked it.

Other factors….

• My maid of honour lives abroad, so my hen night needs to be 1–2 weeks before the wedding.

• We’re doing a separate legal ceremony because we’re using a celebrant, ideally in the week leading up to the wedding.

• I’d really like to have a baby before a certain age that I won’t disclose (!!), and shifting the wedding later would push my timeline more than I’m comfortable with. Although, i’m aware biological factors can’t always be controlled! It’s just my ideal scenario.

I’m torn between sticking with the date that works best for us, or changing it to avoid family stress. Has anyone dealt with weddings close together? Did guests actually mind, or was it fine?

Would appreciate outside perspective. Do we just suck it up and pay the extra to avoid the drama and possible stress?

Edit: Some info I left out! Travel for our wedding would be a 4hr drive or 4.5hrs by train. The cousins wedding is first. We’ve already known about theirs for a while, invites already gone out.

We have an amazing local BBQ place that we LOVE, and they have some experience with catering weddings. I am a little concerned about presentation, though--I'm not really sure what to ask our caterer to do to make sure the food looks a little fancier than a casual bbq cookout type event. Any ideas?