Being in the wedding industry, I’m often asked: “What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?” That or, “What is the one thing you learned from your wedding that you would do differently in hindsight?” I’ve always answered with the same few bits of advice, which still hold true to this day: hire professionals, a great photographer and videographer are worth their weight in gold, and if you’re not a baker, never bake your own cupcakes. (Yes, I did that, and I’ve never been so stressed in my life!)

Recently though, my husband and I were reminiscing about our wedding. We were married in September of 2010, in the median park in front of our apartment at the time. We had a block party wedding and invited the neighborhood as well as family and friends, and had an incredible time. We rented a bounce house and a velcro wall, hired hula hoopers, had face painting, a barbeque, and dancing outdoors.

Photos: Photography By Jera

While remembering that incredible day, I also remembered an email I wrote to friends and family coming to the wedding. Many had asked me what my back up plan was in case the weather was horrible, because all of the wedding was outdoors. I wrote them and said: “If it is lightly raining, bring and umbrella. If it is raining cats and dogs, the block party will not happen. My pastor will marry us in the (small) church office with our parents, and that’s that.” Though I knew it would stink if we couldn’t have the block party, I knew that either way by the end of the day I’d be married to Matt– and that’s all that mattered. I had found someone I loved dearly and wanted to spend the rest of my life with, through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

And then IT HIT ME. The best piece of advice I could give to engaged couples. Something that applies to any couple, with any wedding, big, small, extravagent, DIY, and anything in between:

The best way to have a great wedding is to have a great attitude.

What I mean is: don’t sweat the small stuff. Have the bigger picture in mind. Go with the flow. Your wedding is the first day of a long journey together in marriage. It’s a time to celebrate and have fun, and toast to the next however many years. Just like anything else in life, marriage is a lot of work and sometimes difficult. But just like anything else in life, a positive attitude makes even the bleakest of moments bearable and full of hope. I’ve worked many weddings (as a hairstylist) and have seen both ends of the spectrum: some couples who are overly stressed, worried, pessimistic, and some couples who are nervous, but excited, relaxed and letting everything fall into place. Regardless of what ‘mishaps’ your wedding day brings, having a great attitude will leave nothing but amazing memories and will start your marriage out on the right foot.

Here’s to a great wedding day, and an even greater marriage!