The newlywed OCD bride’s wedding planning guide


1. Invest and plan early for the “forever items”

Every single bride I talked to while wedding planning told me to prioritize the forever items! Now I understand. Our vendors were absolute God sends and I’m so glad we have personalized keepsakes that will stand the test of time. Photographer: Portraiture by Christopher Videographer: KTR Creations Photo Booth Service: Perfect Harmony Entertainment

It may seem like a common sense tip, but I’m so grateful I listened to the brides who stressed the importance of “forever items.” Forever items include rings, photos, video, jewelry that can be passed down, etc. Wedding favors are typically a waste of money.

Your wedding is only one day and it is so easy to obsess over details that will only matter for a few minutes of your special day. See some helpful links below:

  • Preserving your bouquet. I took a chance on my crafting skills and did this myself with the help of Michaels and YouTube University, but there are several vendors out there who can do it for you…here’s one black female owned business I was recommended ;) Preserved by Janise Vivian

  • Preserving your wedding cake. Here’s a major regret of mine. I should’ve purchased a cake preserver like the Keep Cake on Amazon but alas…our cake is in plastic tupperware in our freezer. Learn from our mistakes.

  • Looking into wedding dress preservation/ altering into other keepsakes. My wedding dress was the most expensive piece of clothing that’s ever touched my skin. No way will it just sit in the closet the rest of my life. If you’re like me. Look into turning your wedding gown into a robe, baby baptism outfit or another dress you can pass down in the family. Check out Unbox the Dress

  • Look into alternative guest book ideas on Pinterest. Our wedding was an Old Hollywood theme and we decided to do a a movie poster which all of our guests signed. A personalized, unique guest book will be a nice touch you won’t regret.

  • Consider a Wedding video book. We loved our wedding video so much we had to find a way to view it anytime, anywhere…on our cell phones wasn’t enough! Shout out to master videographer Khiray Richards of KTR Creations. I surprised my husband with a Motion Book from Amazon and he loved it!

  • Buy honeymoon photo album from location. Purchasing a photo album while on your honeymoon is a Must! Trust me you won’t regret it!

2. Change your name with SSA first or use a name change service 

My best friend captured this picture at a lovely bridal salon in Atlanta. It didn’t hit me until later that it would be a journey to legally become “Mrs. Gomez.”

A lot of brides who choose to change their names opt for using services such as Hitch Switch or Newly Named. I’ve heard great things, but wanted to handle everything myself since we were moving at the same time I was changing my name. I cannot stress enough to start with changing your name with Social Security first. It will save you a lot of time and headaches.

3. Have a plan a, b and c for just about everything 

COVID brides, especially 2020 and 2021 know this very well. Plan for rain, plan for sickness, plan in case your city bans dancing at weddings (I’m looking at you D.C.). Plan for the worst, expect the best. If 2020 taught us anything its that Old Testament calamities aren’t out of the question. Ask all vendors about cancellation and postponing policies. Have back up stylists on call just in case.

4. Create a hair and makeup schedule for your artists, family and bridal party

God bless my family, they know I can be a bit compulsive when it comes to details. I sent out Google docs, Google cal invites and all months before the wedding just to hammer down on a hair and makeup schedule that ensured we all made it on time. I still arrived late to the church LOL but trust me… it wasn’t because hair or makeup ran late.

5. Go green! Go with digital RSVP’s instead of mail

Some people opt to forego hard copy wedding invitations altogether. We considered it but ended up just going without costly RSVP cards, envelopes and stamps. Online RSVP saves time, money and the stress of manually accounting for meal preferences and allergies.

6. Keep a stack of thank you cards handy.

We utilized a set of “from the future mr and Mrs” thank you cards for gifts sent ahead of the wedding. 

Professional photos usually take a while to be edited after the wedding, you don’t want your guests to wait months for an official thank you if they send gifts early. 

7. Designate an “In case of emergency” contact for the week and day of the wedding.

The last thing any bride wants is the added stress of answering logistical questions so close to the wedding day. Decide on a trusted person and include their contact info on your website.

8. Use a service such as The Knot or Zola.

They are lifesavers for timelines, contacting guests, registries, online RSVP’s, etc. 

9. Create a detailed shot list with photo examples and links for photographer and videographer. 

10. Forego traditional wedding favors for practical ones.

Ladies you know the feeling of being at a wedding wanting to dance but having throbbing foot pain from wearing your formal heels all night. Rescue Flats truly lived up to their name for our female guests.

Every wedding planner will tell you that traditional wedding favors are a waste of money and you will spend time chasing people down to take them home. We gave the ladies foldable ballet flats that came in beautiful display boxes. The boxes came in an assortment of sizes that included a bag for their heels and satin hair ties. It was an absolute hit! Rescue Flats lives up to their names. All of our guests also went home with photo booth photos and handmade peony paper weights my cousin thoughtfully crafted.








Charis Hanner