Anonymous Responses: The Honest Truths from Wedding Industry Professionals to Brides

2019.07.23 published

A Request to Brides from the Wedding Industry＊

At Marry, we are currently conducting a project using Instagram's story feature, where our followers provide answers to the concerns of brides.

So far, we have received many worries and learned about experiences from numerous brides-to-be and recent brides who share similar situations.

➡ Here is the list of past consultation articles

This time, we shifted our focus a bit and

asked those working in the bridal industry, "What requests or messages do you have for brides?"

@___capitano

We received valuable professional opinions, so please use them as a reference♡

A Request to Brides 1

About bridal innerwear.

Some brides borrow or receive innerwear that doesn’t fit them from their sisters or friends, thinking, "I will only wear it once... it's something you can't see..."

Ill-fitting innerwear can cause overflow at the sides and have weak shaping power, which means

the beautiful dress you took so much time choosing may not look as good on you.

To enjoy a stunning dress on your special day, be sure to prepare bridal innerwear that fits perfectly.

A Request to Brides 2

About going for dress fittings.

On your wedding day, you're going to have a great look with a hairstylist and makeup artist.

Even if it’s not a full makeover during your dress fitting, please try to apply a little more blush and lip color than usual.

Just that little change will help you visualize the day a bit better.

If you usually wear natural makeup, please give it a try.

A Request to Brides 3

Something I want to convey to brides:

Be careful not to overdo it with Instagram!

Many people tend to feel unnecessary anxiety by seeing negative opinions about things they like or regarding someone else's preparations.

It may be difficult if looking at Instagram has become a part of your daily life, but

if it causes you stress or makes you anxious, it might be better for your mental health to take a break from Instagram.

"That post" may be stylish, but is it really something that fits what you both want to do?

A Request to Brides 4

I work for a company that provides performance-related services for weddings.

Above all, I want brides to always consider "how the guests will feel."

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event; you want to have a pre-wedding shoot, flower showers, a cute cake, and find the dress that feels like destiny. You may be faced with many decisions.

However, after listening to the stories of brides-to-be, I often find myself wondering, "What will the guests think about that?"

If it seems like you packed everything you want without considering the guests, it defeats the purpose of having a wedding at all.

While "the bride is the star," I want you to remember that your important guests have taken time and spent money to be there, so having a mindset to entertain them is crucial.

While being "cute" is important, being seen as "a considerate partner" will matter more in your future relationships.

Please, increase your fan base at your wedding!

A Request to Brides 5

Please try to unify your vision for the wedding before the venue meeting!

Many wedding venues tend to start meetings well in advance, but

at our company, which produces paper items, we often hear, "I was told to decide on invitations at the first meeting yesterday."

In reality, the production of invitations might be too tight or even impossible!

The more you are particular about any item or performance, the more time it takes.

Items that can be completed in two weeks at the venue might take two months depending on how they are made.

It doesn’t have to be a clear "theme," but please discuss your "final wedding goals" or "images" together at least six months before the ceremony.

Even if you think, "I don't have any particular requests,” you may discover your preferences, like “But I might not want that” or “I want this a bit differently.”

A Request to Brides 6

Please plan to finish all handmade items at least a month in advance!

I work at a company that produces videos, and

I often get requests for production from brides who say, “I wanted to do handmade crafts but didn’t have the time” when they are less than a month away.

While some companies can complete projects quickly, they can usually only handle simple templates during that timeframe, and most companies have something like emergency fees.

If you want to handmake to save costs or to personalize, I strongly encourage you to start as early as possible.

We would also appreciate it if you could avoid emergency fees.

If your plans changed, making decisions early would allow us to explore other methods of production.

A Request to Brides 7

Is "DIY" becoming your goal?

Sometimes I see brides getting all excited while thinking, “I want to make this and that” after getting inspired by friends on Instagram.

Handmade crafts take much more time than expected and often lead to failures, so they can end up costing a fair amount as well.

A wedding is not a showcase for handmade goods. If you have a specialty, it’s wonderful to leverage it to create "a wedding true to you," but

if it’s just "I want to make something" and you create something half-hearted, it may come across as "cheaply made to save costs."

I recommend that you don’t cut corners for items that will be handed to guests and, even if they are not completed, you should make sure they are things you can forgo for the reception.

A Request to Brides 8

Please don't compare your wedding to someone else's!

The happiness that you and your guests felt during the wedding can only be truly understood by those who were actually present.

The grass is always greener on the other side; you might think, "I wish I could wear that dress... and compared to that..." or "I didn't know about that wonderful performance..." and feel envious.

I completely understand that feeling as a former bride, but a wedding is meaningful because it serves to entertain guests with what you both think is wonderful.

It is not for others to determine which wedding is better than another.

A Request to Brides 9

I work at a video production company.

Some people expand their imagination and say they want their wedding video to be "like a movie" or "super entertaining."

While there are times when I am truly moved by wonderful performances, I also sometimes think, "Huh... what’s the point of that?"

Honestly, wedding videos have little meaning if they’re "just entertaining."

I always guide with, "How about doing this a bit differently?" while trying to make the best videos.

It’s really challenging to change one’s fixed image of decoration, dress, or anything else, but

I hope before you go down a path you can’t retract from, you properly consult with a professional.

A Request to Brides 10

Price reductions can be challenging.

Unless explicitly stated in the original plan or initial contract as a "discount", we cannot lower prices...!

If we offer a lower rate to someone who says, "I can't pay anymore," while charging others the full price, it would be unfair.

If you want something but can’t afford it, your planner will do their best to suggest alternatives, so please be open to discussing them.

A Request to Brides 11

I feel pain when I see brides-to-be and recent brides airing grievances or negative comments about planners by revealing names on blogs or Instagram.

Planners already have a tough job, and it has happened that the targeted staff have struggled with their mental health.

A Request to Brides 12

I recommend choosing banquet and ceremony venues that are spacious enough to allow for some extra guest attendance!

Generally, the number of invitees often increases by about 5 to 10 people from the original estimate.

It’s often challenging to consult about changing to a larger venue or adjusting the layout afterwards.

Choosing a space where you won’t feel cramped later on is advisable.

A Request to Brides 13

Please feel free to rely on your planner even more! ♡

Planners are often those who love weddings and have deep knowledge about the venues.

In many cases, they handle up to 100 couples in a year.

They hold a wealth of knowledge and experience that isn’t published on the internet, so

please consult them if you’re feeling troubled.

A Request to Brides 14

I am a planner at a wedding venue. While the internet makes it easy to gather information, I sometimes encounter brides who feel they must do "something unusual" that they’ve never seen before.

Among many weddings, your wedding is one-of-a-kind in the world.

traditional weddings are also heartwarming and wonderful.

A Request to Brides 15

I am a wedding dress coordinator, and I have advice regarding the timing of dress selection. Unless you're choosing a time-consuming custom dress, I think starting to select a dress 6 to 8 months in advance is sufficient.

Sometimes I meet brides who come for fittings more than a year in advance, but as they progress with wedding preparations, their preferences change, leading to the payment of a significant cancellation fee.

A Request to Brides 16

I want you to understand the copyright regarding music, paper items, and wedding cakes. No matter how much you love a certain character, we cannot offer services or products that violate copyrights.

Even if you say, "Other venues do that," we may feel helpless about it, and it is disappointing.

I would appreciate it if you could choose your wedding theme with the understanding that every piece of music and character is protected by copyright.

A Request to Brides 17

A request regarding bringing in items.

Nowadays, there are personal paper item shops or online custom dress shops, but

☑ There can be issues like late delivery

☑ The seller goes out of contact

☑ The quality of the item does not match what was introduced on the homepage

so please be careful about this.

There’s a reason why cheap items are priced as they are.

A Request to Brides 18

I work as a wedding planner at a wedding venue.

The most important thing I want to tell brides is not to overdo it right before the wedding!

I worry that if the preparations drain them and lead to sleep deprivation, they may come down with health problems on the day.

While handmade items can be lovely, I believe the vibrant smile of the bride is what family and guests truly want to see.

Although it might be busy, please make sure to take proper breaks and arrive in perfect health on the day. If you have any concerns, please feel free to consult your planner.

A Request to Brides 19

I am a wedding planner at a wedding venue.

I intend to respond to inquiries from brides as quickly and efficiently as possible.

However, there may be times when I cannot respond immediately, especially after 10 p.m. or on days off.

(It’s quite upsetting when this leads to complaints...)

I will make sure to respond to your messages, but I would appreciate your understanding that there may be instances when I cannot get back to you right away.

A Request to Brides 20

I am a photographer.

Wedding photographers generally work solo, but sometimes I receive requests from brides for instructions like "please include a second shooter."

Adding another photographer is not free. I won't be able to prepare on the day if asked then, so please discuss this in advance.

Moreover, photo shooting on the wedding day is time-limited.

I understand the desire to have lots of poses, but considering the time it takes for moving and camera setups, it may lead to not having enough time and could delay the ceremony.

It would help if you could prioritize the poses you want photographed in the instructions for the day.

A Request to Brides 21

Buying or selling used items via apps and marketplaces can lead to issues like "item not received," "lost contact," and "received something that differs from the description."

I recommend being aware of these risks and using these services with enough time to deal with any dissatisfaction that may arise.

A Request to Brides 22

Recently, the buzzwords "Instagrammable," "original," and "my style" are trending for weddings,

and many people prefer flashy and rare performances.

However, each ceremony and performance at a wedding has its own significance and origin.

For example, a flower shower has the meaning of purifying the space with the scent of flowers and warding off evil spirits.

This cannot be replaced by bubble showers or confetti.

While it may seem "old-fashioned," traditions can gain charisma and value by being passed down.

I hope there will continue to be brides who hold traditional ceremonies.

A Request to Brides 23

Please hold your wedding! ♡

While "no-wedding" trends are popular, having a wedding is truly a beautiful experience.

Gathering the people who have supported you all at once to celebrate with you can evoke a sense of responsibility and realization, making for a truly lovely moment.

After all, it is a very happy time.

I love weddings and have cried tears of joy during every ceremony and reception I've experienced.

If you are considering whether to hold a wedding, I strongly urge you to go for it.

Wishing You a Happy Wedding♡

We gathered insights from wedding professionals working in the industry about what they want to convey to brides-to-be planning their weddings♡

There were various responses, but what I felt from all the respondents is the love for weddings!

You probably can't continue in the wedding industry unless you love it.

The professionals around you, who support brides-to-be (venue staff, shop staff, etc.),

are all people who love weddings.

They work with the desire to "create a wonderful wedding," so please consider their thoughts and opinions as a reference, lean on them, and welcome the best BIG DAY!♡

@littlenaju