However, Anna can’t be responsible for EVERY LITTLE THING. Her job is to keep the day flowing and to put out all of the little fires that may arise, but she can’t be the one running to the store to grab more orange juice for brunch… or running the groom’s tie to his getting ready location… or helping the bride set up her decor the night before. Unless you’re working with a large scale planning team with multiple staff members, a lot of these odds and ends fall on you. So, my advice for you is to have a PERSON. You know, just like on Grey’s Anatomy. Meredith tells Christina that she’s her “Person” because she can always count on her!!

For us, GAYLE TERRY was our person!!! She’s a dear friend of ours and she made herself available for us the entire weekend. I don’t even remember all of the tasks she ended up doing for us but I do remember thinking “What would we have done without her?!”. EVERY bride needs a “person” who they can call on and ask for a favor on their wedding day. They need to be responsible, reliable and available! I’ve seen SO many weddings where the bride didn’t have a PERSON beyond her planner and here are some example scenarios of what has happened….

– Dad was almost to the venue for the Daddy/Daughter first look but had to drive home because he forgot his tie. (Your “Person” could have gotten the tie!)
– Someone left the garter at the hotel and mom had to rush back to go get it and missed all of the bridesmaids praying together before the ceremony
– Bridesmaids forgot to grab body-tape to keep their dresses from having a wardrobe malfunction and so one bridesmaid had to miss being in the “getting ready” pictures because she was running to CVS!

If these brides had had a “person” who was ready and willing to run errands, pick up the slack and help with whatever needed to be done, it would have drastically lowered their stress load.

So, if you’re planning a wedding and you already have a planner, I still encourage you to designate a “person” of your own who you can really count on in case of an emergency!!! I’m so thankful for mine! Because we had our wedding in my parent’s backyard, I had SO MANY PEOPLE who gave of their time to help us! We had parking attendants, brunch buyers, seat savers and program distributers!! The list goes on and on. I’m so grateful for everyone who made our wedding a success and I’m especially thankful for those who picked up the slack so that my family could be present the entire day!!!

Ps. Another important tip… get a PICTURE with your PERSON. I don’t think we got a picture with JUST GAYLE and it makes me sad! (So sorry Gayle!) So to all of my KJ Brides out there, be sure to point out who your PERSON is so that we can get a picture of you two together!!

Curious what 5 Things Brides Forget On Their Wedding Day? Click HERE!

For some thoughts on non-strapless wedding dresses, click here! 

Bridesmaids can make or break your timeline! Read More Here!