Bride's Side, Vol. 12: 'Our ultimate goal was to throw a great party'

Bridal blogger: Sarah (of Sarah and JT) of South Portland, ME*
Connection to Maine: Bride and groom's homestate
Wedding Date: October 4, 2008
Wedding Location: Ceremony and celebration in Carrabassett Valley at Sugarloaf Ski Area
*Click here to see original coverage of Sarah and JT's Sugarloaf ski area wedding, here to see their slideshow

Biggest planning surprise: How much I relied on my mom during the planning process. I don't know how some brides do everything by themselves, I was SO OVERWHELMED and pretty clueless!

(Editor's note: A bit different formatting this time. How about some of Sarah and JT's stunning signature wedding album page layouts first, and then onto the questions.)


















Favorite wedding planning resource: Those darn wedding magazines! I must have had 50 of them. I don't really think they were all that helpful and pretty much each one is the same, but I had to have them! Besides that, The Knot.

I wish I'd spent more time: getting the attendants gifts wrapped BEFORE the wedding weekend! we were late to our rehearsal dinner because we were getting the gifts together.

I wish I'd spent less time: stressing about some family issues....

I wish I had: gone to a smaller bridal boutique...designer labels aren't everything, there were a few important details on my dress and undergarments that were NOT taken care off and I attribute that to an over booked seamstress...

I wish I hadn't: been late to the ceremony! I really should have started getting ready earlier in general, but those pesky buttons on my dress caused quite a problem! I would have loved to have time to just soak it all in rather then racing to the chapel, but we made it!

I am glad I/we did: have 3 different cakes! Yum.

I am glad we didn't: do extravagant center pieces, nobody notices them, including yourself, you're never at your table!

Favorite wedding moment: Being announced into the reception and our first dance. Absolutely the best ~5 mins of my life...

Detail that was worth it: the band!!!! Our ultimate goal was to throw a great party and our band was the perfect match for our boisterous party people!

Detail that was a waste: the top shelf liquor. Open bar was plenty, allowing top shelf liquor nearly cleaned my mom out (don't blame us! it was her idea!)

Best wedding splurge: Again, the band! (Editor's note: I can attest to this- they were amazing. As I said on my blog post-wedding, "literally the most 'insane' (to quote a guest), energetic and entertaining band I've ever seen perform.")

Best wedding steal: It was important to us that our guests not spend a lot on hotel rooms. Off season at Sugarloaf's Grand Summit provided perfect pricing.

My best advice is: This might be common knowledge but make sure somebody in your wedding party (or family or just somebody you trust) is in charge of your gift table. Some of our cards went "missing" after the "event planner" assured us that SHE was always in charge of transferring the gifts from reception to the newly wed suite. She no longer works at that venue.

And, for a bit of shameless self-promotion, what was your favorite part
about working with Samantha Warren Weddings: I truly could NOT have been happier with any other photographer. I'm not big on pictures of myself, in fact I can say I was dreading the picture process. Not only did she put me at ease by being friendly and professional but she was FUN and HELPFUL. Gasp! Sam had great ideas and kind words of wisdom throughout my wedding day. I felt her presence was calming but very enthusiastic and absolutely added to our whole experience. Sam's passion and devotion to her job is apparent from the very first moment you meet her. You'll feel as though you are the most special people on the most special day ever to have occurred! She'll laugh with you and cry with you and through all that present you with fabulous, fun and classic pictures!

Read Past Bride's Side Posts:
-Vol.1: 10 tips for making the "Best Day of Your Life" just that
-Vol. 2: 'Remember you are starting a life together'
-Vol. 3: Go green, but stay real
Vol.4: If I knew then, what I know now
-Vol.5: 'Try not to over think things- hard as it may be'
-Vol. 6: What to expect when you are unexpecting
-Vol. 7: 'It's all about being your collective selves'
-Vol. 8: 'A celebration of the people who shaped us'
-Vol. 9: 'Experience is the best wedding planner'
-Vol. 10: 'I would do it all again tomorrow, if I could...'
-Vol. 11: Make it a family affair