Cupcakes & Tea with Elizabeth

Tag: Real Brides Share Their Biggest Piece of Wedding Day Advice

  • 4 Tips to Make Your Wedding Day Extra Special ✨💍

    4 Tips to Make Your Wedding Day Extra Special ✨💍

    No matter where you are in your wedding planning journey — freshly engaged, knee-deep in details, or just daydreaming — I hope this post brings you a little inspiration (and maybe a few calm, happy feels).

    I can still remember the butterflies and joy that filled those days leading up to my own wedding. Things didn’t always go exactly as planned (do they ever?), but the day turned out to be so full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

    Today, I’m sharing four little things that made our celebration extra special — and I hope they help make your day just as magical. 💛

    💤 1. Have a Bridal Party Sleepover

    If you’re planning to spend the night apart from your partner before the big day, a bridal party sleepover is such a fun way to kick things off. It’s not just for kids anymore — it’s pure joy for grown-ups, too!

    The night before my wedding, my best friends and I stayed at the most beautiful local bed and breakfast. We ordered snacks, shared stories, laughed way too late, and soaked up those last few “before the aisle” moments together.

    The next morning, we got ready in that same cozy space — soft light streaming in through the windows, music playing, makeup brushes in hand, coffee cups nearby. The food was amazing, the vibe was calm, and the photos turned out absolutely gorgeous.

    It’s a memory I’ll hold close forever. If you’re on the fence about it — trust me — plan the sleepover. You’ll never regret it.


    💍 2. Include a Family Heirloom

    There’s something deeply meaningful about carrying a little piece of family history with you on your wedding day. It’s your something borrowed with a story behind it.

    For me, that meant including my grandparents’ wedding rings in my look. I wore them close to my heart on a delicate ring holder necklace (I found mine on Amazon, and I still wear it now — especially handy for days when I can’t wear my rings for work).

    Those rings have seen decades of love and life. Having them with me that day felt like my grandparents were right there, cheering us on. It added a layer of warmth and connection that made the day feel even more sacred.

    If you have a family piece — jewelry, fabric, a garter, a handkerchief — consider weaving it into your day. It’s a beautiful way to honor the love that helped shape yours.

    🎶 3. Cut the Music (in the Best Way)

    Here’s a tip I didn’t know I needed until my own wedding: you can cut your songs down to just your favorite parts!

    We worked with Elise Elm, who’s an absolute pro at music editing, and she created the perfect versions of our songs — about two minutes each. It kept the energy high, the moments sweet, and made our dances feel natural instead of nerve-wracking.

    The best part? We still got to enjoy the parts of the songs that meant the most to us. When I think back to our first dance, it’s the perfect length and memory — short, romantic, and completely us.

    If you’re feeling anxious about being on the dance floor too long, trimming your music might just be your secret weapon.

    💫 4. End the Night with a Last Dance
    Oh, the last dance. I’ll never forget ours.

    Whether you invite everyone to join you or keep it private between just the two of you, it’s the perfect way to close out your celebration. We chose a slow, romantic song and let ourselves soak in every second — the lights dim, the room softly humming with love and contentment.

    It was the sweetest transition into our grand exit and a beautiful reminder of what the whole day was about: us, together, beginning our forever.

    If you can, sneak in that last dance. It’s quiet magic.


    Image: IVORY+ ink

    💐 A Little Wedding Wisdom

    At the end of the day — even if the weather shifts, timelines blur, or something doesn’t go quite as planned — you’ll still be married to your favorite person. And that’s what truly matters.

    So take a breath, let the joy lead the way, and remember that the best moments are often the unplanned ones.

    I hope these ideas add a sprinkle of calm and creativity to your planning! I’d love to hear your thoughts — or any sweet traditions you’re including — in the comments below.

    Here’s to your beautiful day ahead, full of laughter, love, and maybe just a few happy tears.

    Send me a coffee ❤

  • Our Wedding Day: Lessons, Laughs, and a Little Chaos 💍✨

    Our Wedding Day: Lessons, Laughs, and a Little Chaos 💍✨

    Wow — where do I even begin? Our wedding day was truly one for the books. I originally planned to hop on here and share all the dreamy, picture-perfect moments, maybe with a few tiny hiccups sprinkled in for fun. But honestly? I could probably write an entire novel called “What Not to Do on Your Wedding Day.” 😂

    Don’t get me wrong — it was still the most magical, love-filled day of my life. There were heartwarming conversations with our guests, sweet stolen moments with my new husband, and so much laughter with our wedding party. But let’s just say… things got a little wild. I’m starting to think there might be something to that whole “Mercury in retrograde” theory!

    Still, I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. Every mishap taught me something valuable, and today I’m sharing my honest lessons, a few giggles, and some tips to help your day go a little smoother than mine did.

    1. Double-Check Vendor Details 📋

    It might sound simple, but this one’s a biggie. Make sure every vendor has the exact and most up-to-date information — from timing to names to final details. Staff can change, and small miscommunications can turn into big surprises later.

    I recommend confirming everything in person if you can (or at least over a video call). Trust me, it’s worth the extra time.

    2. Make Detailed Lists (Like, Really Detailed) 📝

    Lists are your best friend — for you, your vendors, and anyone helping out. Be specific. Don’t just say “family photos.” Write out which family members you want in those photos. It’s amazing how much smoother things go when everyone has a clear game plan.

    3. Listen to Yourself 💛

    Your wedding day is your day. You’ll get tons of advice from friends, family, and Pinterest boards alike — but at the end of the day, you and your partner know what feels right. Follow that gut feeling. It’s the one voice that always knows what will make your heart happiest.

    4. Savor Every Moment 🌿

    No matter what happens — good, bad, or hilariously unexpected — soak it all in. You only get one “I do,” and even the messy parts become beautiful memories someday.

    The Behind-the-Scenes Scoop

    Alright, you asked for it — here’s the inside look at how our wedding day really went down. Spoiler alert: there were laughs, tears, and quite a few “are you kidding me?” moments. 😂

    The Suits Saga

    The day before our wedding, we went to pick up the suits from Men’s Wearhouse… and found out the groom and ring bearer’s sizes were all wrong. Cue the panic! Thankfully, we sorted it out the next morning and everyone looked perfect.

    My advice: Write down all your confirmed sizes and double-check once they arrive. A quick confirmation email can save a lot of stress later!

    Set-Up Surprises

    I went into wedding planning with an open mind, ready for suggestions. But looking back, I wish I had trusted my original vision a bit more. It would have made the day feel even more “us.”

    My advice: It’s okay to take help, but don’t lose sight of what you truly want. Print out inspiration photos, share them with your team, and delegate! A friend, sister, or bridesmaid who knows your vision can be a huge help on the big day.

    Morning-of Madness

    The morning of our wedding started out lovely — breakfast at a cozy bed and breakfast, coffee in hand, the whole vibe was calm… until it wasn’t. Between forgotten jewelry, missing hair clips, and a slightly awkward “you’re my favorite” joke gone wrong, the morning quickly became chaotic. 😅

    Then came the classic “forgot the ring at home” situation (yep, that happened) — but despite all the bumps, we still managed to laugh through it.

    My advice: Have your glam team come to you. Pack your essentials the night before. And assign a “runner” — someone who can grab any last-minute items so you can stay in the moment.

    Music Mishaps 🎶

    Ah, the ceremony music — this one still makes me cringe a little. My dad and I were called up to walk, but we were confused and thought we missed our cue. I rushed up the stairs, my tiara tilted, veil slightly crooked — and then realized the DJ was playing the wrong song.

    It was a 57-second track that looped awkwardly with breaks of silence between repeats. Not exactly the romantic soundtrack I envisioned!

    My advice: Confirm all music details with your DJ in person or on a quick call the day before. And if possible, have them attend the rehearsal. It makes all the difference. Our DJ was a kind person, so it’s too bad!

    Photos & The Great Family Shuffle 📸

    Our photos turned out beautiful — but we missed a lot of moments I really wanted. Not everyone was present for family portraits, and we couldn’t get to every guest table during the reception.

    My advice: Be specific on your photo list. Don’t just write “family photos” — name each person. This small detail ensures no special moment slips away.

    Catering & Cake 🍰

    Our caterer forgot to cut the pork loin, which led to a bit of chaos. And our wedding cake… let’s just say it wasn’t exactly what I ordered. Thankfully, the vendor made it right later with a complimentary replacement.

    My advice: Reconfirm your order details the week of the wedding. Even a quick email with reference photos can make sure everyone’s on the same page.

    Reception Rollercoaster 🎉

    After the ceremony… honestly, I have no idea what happened. 😂 The timeline went out the window! Family photos were missed, the slideshow never played, and dinner ran late. But despite it all, we laughed, danced, and made beautiful memories with our guests — some of whom traveled from 12 different states to be there. That love and support meant everything.

    My advice: Assign or hire a day-of coordinator to keep things running smoothly. It’s one of the best investments you can make.

    Looking Back 💫

    Even though our wedding and honeymoon didn’t go quite as planned (because of course it didn’t!), I’m choosing to see it all as part of our story. Every hiccup, every laugh, every imperfection — it all made our day perfectly us.

    Some have even suggested a small vow renewal in the future, and honestly? I love that idea. Maybe we’ll do a little “redo” one day.

    If you’re planning your wedding, my best advice is this: plan your heart out, but hold your plans loosely. Focus on what matters most — marrying your best friend and celebrating with the people you love. Everything else? Just part of the story. 💕

    If you’ve been through your own wedding adventures (or have some advice to share!), I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Let’s keep learning, crying, and laughing together — one love story at a time.