Past Brides' Non-Negotiables

We asked three brides what they would do differently, prioritise, or never compromise on when planning their weddings. Here's their honest advice for future brides.

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Julia's Non-Negotiables

✨ Get an on-the-day coordinator
"This was something I hadn't even thought about, but it came with our venue — and honestly, what a relief! Knowing someone was handling the DJ, flowers, décor and all the little things meant we could actually enjoy the morning instead of putting our bridal party to work."

✨ If you can, keep your ceremony and reception at one venue
"We loved having everything in one place. We didn't have to worry about buses or guests getting themselves from A to B. It just made the day easier and more relaxed."

✨ Sort your venue and date first
"Your venue and date really dictate everything else. Once those are booked, the rest starts to fall into place. Don't stress about every little detail before then — it will all come together." 💗

"Getting three quotes for absolutely everything can become overwhelming. You don't have to overthink every decision. This is supposed to be fun!" ✨

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Dani's Non-Negotiables

💰 Set your budget first
Before you fall in love with everything on Pinterest! It's amazing how quickly the costs can add up.

💸 Remember the little costs
Things like alterations, stationery, tips, transport, trials, steaming, corkage and extra hours can catch you off guard — so leave some room in the budget.

👰 Invite people you actually want there
Don't invite someone just because you feel guilty. Your wedding is personal, and you should celebrate with the people who genuinely matter to you.

👗 Make sure you're comfortable

You need to walk, sit, dance, hug and breathe! 😂 Looking amazing is important, but feeling comfortable matters too.

📸 Spend money on what you'll remember
Photography, videography, food, music and the overall experience are things you'll remember long after the tiny details are forgotten.

🤷‍♀️ Accept that something might go wrong
And that's okay! Your guests probably won't even notice — and once you're married, you probably won't care either.

❤️ And remember why you're doing it
It's so easy to get caught up in flowers, menus, seating plans and napkins. But at the end of the day, you're marrying your favourite person.

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Erleen's Advice: Listen to Yourself

I was a very young bride — just 23 — and I wanted to make everyone happy. My wedding planner, my in-laws, family and even distant relatives all had opinions, and I found myself saying yes to things I didn't really want.

I wanted a small wedding. We ended up with 140 guests. I wanted close friends and family. We ended up inviting people we barely knew. And I wanted an early night before the wedding — instead, I was out with my bridesmaids until midnight!

Looking back, I wish I had listened to myself more. So my biggest advice to brides is: listen to yourself — and then, when the day arrives, let go and enjoy it. 💕

Planning can take over a year of your life, but the actual wedding day goes by incredibly quickly. So breathe. Laugh. Drink the champagne. Dance with your friends. Don't worry about everything being perfect.

📸 Be yourself in front of the camera
Don't worry about posing perfectly or what the photographer thinks. Some of my favourite photos are the candid ones — the big laughs, silly dancing and real moments.

💃 And dance!
You don't need to spend the entire night going from table to table. If people want to see you, let them join you on the dance floor.

❤️ Most importantly, make time for your husband
We had just five minutes alone before our guests arrived. We looked at the décor, made a few last-minute changes and had a little dance together. It was only five minutes, but it became one of my favourite memories from the entire day.

Because that's what I wish I had understood at 23: the wedding is one day. The memories are forever. So don't spend the day worrying about whether everyone else is happy — make sure you are happy.

Laugh too loudly. Dance too much. Kiss your girlfriends. Sneak away with your husband. And if something goes wrong? Let it go.

Nobody will remember the little things you thought were disasters. They'll remember a bride who was having the time of her life. 🤍

"You're marrying your favourite person — and that's the real non-negotiable." 🥂💍