Wise Words from Guest Blogger and Author Karley Kiker

{Introducing a sweet friend of Patsy’s Bridal, and author of Hitched in a Hurry, Karley Kiker. We are honored to have her guest blog for us on this Wedding Wednesday. Without further ado…meet Karley!}

{photo above by Lauren Guy Photography. All other photos by Suggs Photography}

Hi everyone, Karley here! I am a writer, creative consultant, and a born-and-raised Dallas girl who’s now living on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina! I’m also a former speedy bride-to-be who planned my own wedding at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa in just 4.5 months. Hence the title of my book: Hitched in a Hurry: The ultimate how-to for a speedy “I do!”

While many bridal salons reacted to my not-so-distant wedding date with raised eyebrows that I translated to mean something along the lines of “You’ll walk the aisle naked,” the team at Patsy’s Bridal was quick to offer words of encouragement—and plenty of lovely gowns!—during my whirlwind quest for a wedding dress. That being said, I’m thrilled to share my top tips for gown-browsing with you today. After all, I wouldn’t have found the world’s most perfect “Something Blue” (i.e., the turquoise Enzoani belt I wore on the Big Day) had I not popped into Patsy’s.

Without further ado—and to keep the words “wedding gown” from turning your smile upside down—here are a few things every Hitched in a Hurry bride should keep in mind before saying yes to her dress:

 

“IT’S JUST A DRESS”

Chances are, you wouldn’t wear your mom’s wedding dress today without some serious sleeve de-puffing and the removal of at least half of those lacy layers. The point? Her dress wasn’t magical and yours won’t be sprinkled with fairy dust, either. Kiss all that pressure to find something “perfect” goodbye and send pressure on its merry way. Your momma felt beautiful when she wore her cream puff of a gown, and you’ll feel beautiful walking down the aisle too—no matter what style of dress you end up selecting!

LIMIT YOUR SEARCH

Here’s a handy rule of thumb for speedy brides everywhere: Don’t spend more than 10 percent of your engagement searching for your dress. More of a visual learner? Use this chart to block out the right amount of time on your calendar:

2 weeks: You’ve got 30 hours of shopping time on your hands. I didn’t say this would be easy.

1 month: 3 days to glory. Grab a Starbucks! You can do this.

3 months: 9 days of style-sampling. Don’t let the 2-week girls catch you complaining. It won’t be pretty.

4 months: 12 days? Please. This is going to be a piece of (wedding) cake.

6 months: With 18 days to spare, you could fly to Paris and back if you really wanted. Paris, Texas, at least.

STOP COMPARING ON PINTEREST

So, you’ve found the dress. Your dress! It’s beautiful and perfect. When you tried it on for the first time, tears of joy slipped down your face (and let’s not even get started on your mother). Your husband-to-be might actually faint when the wedding march begins and you glide down the aisle in the spaghetti-strapped, heavily-beaded, princess-style gown you always dreamed of.

But then, you log into your Pinterest account. And…what’s that? Your favorite bridal magazine just posted a photo of a strapless, beadless, skintight, tulle-swathed, mermaid-style gown with a caption that reads “The Look of the Moment.” Regret, intruder that it is, slips into your bubble of happiness and poisons your joy. I think I settled, you say to yourself, glancing at your gown bag and feeling defeated. Was that thing a final sale?

Don’t let this happen to you. Choose your dress. Love your dress. Work your dress. And, just like you did when you said “yes” to your fiancé, make the decision to forsake all others. Until wedding night do you part.

And there you have it! Three easy tips for staying happy, mentally healthy, and completely in love with your gown throughout the wedding planning process.

Happy shopping, Patsy’s Brides!

Adapted from Hitched in a Hurry: The ultimate how-to for a speedy “I do” by Karley Kiker. For more information on how to survive (and thrive!) during a quick engagement, pick up a copy of Karley’s book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Looking for the perfect place to host a speedy destination wedding? Check out The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa’s exclusive Hitched in a Hurry package!