Wedding Planner to Bride

A Surreal Shift: From Planner to Bride

It’s not every day that a wedding planner finds herself walking down the aisle. For me, stepping into the role of bride was an incredible, surreal experience—equal parts exciting and humbling.

This wasn’t my first wedding, but it was my first time experiencing the magic of a day fully dedicated to celebrating love. My first marriage? The epitome of a shotgun wedding—thrown together in 24 hours with no fancy dress, no wedding party, and no time for dreams. I had made peace with the idea that maybe a big, beautiful wedding just wasn’t in the cards for me.

But funny enough, that didn’t stop me from falling in love with creating dream weddings for other couples. Through planning, I found joy living vicariously through my clients—turning their visions into reality and sharing in the happiest moments of their lives.

From Planner Mode to Bride Mode

Since becoming a full-time wedding planner in 2019, I’ve learned so much about what truly makes a wedding special. Over time, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance to walk down the aisle again, I’d know exactly what I wanted.

Planning Ryan’s and my wedding after a six-year engagement came with its challenges.

Suddenly, all the things I preach to my clients became oddly difficult to follow myself. I procrastinated on dress shopping, ignored my own timeline advice, and booked my hair and makeup artist just three weeks before the big day (seriously, don’t be like me).

The truth? It’s so much harder to be objective when it’s your day. As a planner, I’m the calm in the storm for my couples. But as a bride, I felt the weight of the decisions, the pressure to make everything perfect, and—most surprisingly—the sheer awkwardness of being the center of attention.

Being both a planner and a bride taught me a lot. Most importantly? Hire the wedding planner. Even if it’s your expertise, having someone else handle the logistics lets you actually enjoy your wedding day.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Once Ryan and I decided on a local wedding to include our friends and family, it was time to plan the fun stuff: the theme and decor!

Since we were getting married in November, I wanted something bold and vibrant to brighten the season. Inspired by my love for disco balls (because who doesn’t love a good disco ball?), I decided on a retro 70s, mid-century modern vibe with hot pink and orange as the primary colors.

From neon signs to feathers and, of course, plenty of disco balls, the aesthetic was unapologetically fun and full of personality. It wasn’t your typical wedding decor, but that was exactly the point. I didn’t want rustic charm, black-and-white elegance, or minimalist greenery— I wanted us.

The Most Memorable Moments

While every part of the day was unforgettable, a few moments etched themselves deeply into my heart.

The first was seeing my Dad’s face as he walked me down the aisle. That moment was a dream I’d held onto for so long, and the love and pride in his eyes made it even more special than I’d imagined. It was everything I’d hoped for—a moment of pure connection and love that I’ll treasure forever.

Our father-daughter dance was another memory I’ll never forget. As we swayed to the music, I felt the bittersweetness of one chapter ending and another beginning. For years, I’ve watched this moment play out at weddings I’ve planned, but experiencing it firsthand was unlike anything I could have prepared for—a perfect mix of joy and nostalgia.

And then, there was Ryan.

Seeing him standing at the altar, looking so handsome and confident, completely took my breath away. In that moment, it felt like time stood still. The way he looked at me—with all the love and anticipation in the world—made my heart swell. Surrounded by our loved ones, I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. After ten years of love, laughter, and all the highs and lows in between, we were finally saying, “I do.”

That moment—locking eyes with him, knowing this was the beginning of forever—was everything.

Making the Day Our Own

Our goal for our big day was to enjoy it as much as possible, and we succeeded! We decided early on to opt out of some of the traditional wedding formalities like the bouquet toss and garter toss. While those are special for many couples, they didn’t fit our vision. Instead, we focused oncreating an atmosphere that felt authentic to us and let us spend more time with our loved ones.

We laughed, danced, and celebrated the night away without feeling rushed or stuck in a rigid schedule. Looking back, it was absolutely the right choice for us, and we have no regrets.

What I’ve Learned

Planning my own wedding has given me a whole new perspective as a planner. I’ve always known weddings are deeply personal, but now I feel it. Every detail—no matter how small—has meaning, and that meaning is what makes a wedding so magical.

For any brides-to-be, my best advice is simple: don’t try to do it all. Delegate, prioritize, and let someone else help carry the load so you can focus on what matters most—celebrating with the people you love.

How It’s Changed Me as a Planner

Being a bride has made me an even better planner. I now understand the rollercoaster of emotions, the unexpected stressors, and the beauty of stepping back and trusting someone else to take the reins.

If you’re planning your wedding, know this: it’s not about perfection. It’s about love, joy, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. And trust me, those are the moments that matter most.

Gratitudes

To everyone who helped make our day unforgettable, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

• To my parents: Your love and support made this day possible in every way. I’ll never stop being grateful for everything you’ve done for us.

• To Meggan, my “unofficial” matron of honor: You brought my vision to life and gave me the gift of enjoying my wedding day without worrying about the details. You’re a rockstar!

• To Lauren, Erika, and Janelle: Thank you for stepping in to help decorate the ceremony and reception spaces. Your love and generosity made the day even more special.

• To our incredible vendors: From the desserts to the drinks and entertainment, you brought your passion and expertise to every detail. You made our wedding unforgettable.

• To Ryan: Thank you for being the most patient, supportive, and hands-off groom ever. I love you more than words can express, and I’m so excited to start this next chapter with you—forever & ever babe!

To everyone who was part of our journey, thank you. Our wedding was truly a labor of love, and it wouldn’t have been the same without you.