If there’s one piece of advice I can share with future brides, it’s to use your resources! If you’re the marrying age, it’s likely there are a ton of women around you who have gone through this experience and have a wealth of knowledge, connections and goods to pass along.

Throughout the process of planning our wedding, the biggest help I’ve had has come from fellow brides I know. My friends, coworkers and even strangers I’ve connected with online have provided me with a wealth of tips, tricks and information to make the planning process go smoothly.

Here are a few examples of help I’ve gotten from other brides:

– My photographer Jeremy Lawson came as a recommendation from a co-worker, Amy who recently got married

– I coordinated with a bride in Texas to share these table runners off Etsy, cutting my decor costs in half

– I mirrored our “event flow,” which details every aspect of the weekend, off an existing shell a friend created

– Another friend from work offered up her card box birdcage so I didn’t have to purchase my own

 It’s been such a life-saver to get help from brides who have already been through the process. I couldn’t image trying to do everything from scratch! I know a lot of women want to “own” every aspect of their wedding, but why not save yourself time and hassle?

There are also a ton of great sites where brides can connect to sell or buy used items like centerpieces, linens and even wedding dresses including, Once Wed, Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses, Brideshare, and Bravo Bride.

In an effort to “give back” to the wedding community, I’ve been trying to share my favorite tips, tricks and finds here on my blog. I hope it’s helped some of you in the planning process. I’ve learned a lot and have a lot to share, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions about anything wedding-related at [email protected].