If I Could Write a Letter to Me

I planned my wedding for years. Before I met John. Before I even liked boys. My best friend says she remembers the first time I came to her house and casually asked her what she thought her wedding dress would look like. We were in sixth grade.

Needless to say, I thought I was prepared.

But I was wrong. Looking back, it's actually kind of funny. Kind of.

So if I could go back, I'd tell myself these 10 things so things would go a little...smoother.

1. Don't stuff your face with gourmet foods that you've steered clear of for months at the rehearsal dinner. Don't drink any wine cause it will sneak up on you. Pace yourself, hun. Resist the urge and eat light.

2. Remember to bring your shampoo and retainer to Mom & Dad's house so you don't have to go home at 5:30 on the morning of your wedding, trying to make sure John doesn't see you.

3. Take your anxiety pill even though you think it will make you nauseous. Cause, honestly, you're gonna be nauseous anyway without it, so you might as well try it.

4. Stand up for yourself if you think your makeup is overdone. Otherwise, you'll be paranoid about it for the next month while you wait to see if your pictures turn out okay. 

5. Even though your vows are finished, go ahead and put pen to paper a few days before the wedding so you're not running around like a chicken without her head trying to find a damn pen Saturday afternoon.

6. Put your keys in your purse. This is KEY (haha) to making sure the getaway vehicle is at the reception for you to...um...getaway in it? Also, having the getaway vehicle at the reception will allow your entire wedding party to be at the party, instead of running around the parking lot for an hour trying to find a car that isn't there.

7. Let everyone in the wedding party know the exact plans and what their roles should be. DO NOT follow people's advice and just "let it happen." Be your normal control-freak self and get it done right the first time.

8. Eat more cake. Can't stress it enough.

9. Have tossing bouquet near the dance floor. Or a bridesmaid bouquet. Or anything?

10. Pack a bag for Sunday morning. Bring make-up. Bring pants. Bring a bra. Bring a bag to put your dress in so when you leave the nicest hotel in Little Rock, you don't look like a freaking hobo.

And Kati, just remember. Even if none of this happens, it's going to be okay. Because at the end of the evening, you'll leave your amazing, perfect wedding with your HUSBAND. And even if you happen to get a little sick on the way to the hotel (huh?) he still loves you very, very much. You're a lucky girl.And you never have to do this again. You'll be happy about that, surprisingly. Believe me.