Decades-Old Wedding Advice That Still Rings True Today

While combing through old issues of Bridal Guide from the 1980s and 1990s, it's evident that most wedding trends don't stand the test of time. (Case in point: poofy sleeves and using fax machines to share wedding inspiration with vendors.) However, there are some things about planning a wedding that just won't ever change. Check out some of our favorite gems of advice from the past 30+ years of magazine issues!

Planning Tips

1. "Selecting your wedding date is the essential priority in planning your wedding, as all other wedding plans will revolve around this date. Be sentimental and choose the day you met. Be practical and consider weather conditions at that time of year. Be responsible and look for a date that will not interfere with work. Whatever deliberations you have in choosing your wedding date, it must be considered that you'll need six months to a year to plan a formal wedding; smaller weddings usually take three months to organize." -Spring 1986 issue

2. "When choosing your color palette, think of how everything will look from the back of the room. Note the colors and patterns of your wedding reception rooms, including the carpeting, upholstery, drapes, and walls. Don't 'fight' the existing colors even if you don't like them. Let your color tie all elements of your wedding together. Beginning with your invitations following through in your apparel and decorations, your colors will create a cohesive look and feel for your wedding." -September/October 1990 issue

3. "Personalizing your ceremony is a means of distinguishing your wedding from any other but more importantly, it will allow you to reveal your most personal feelings about your relationship, your dreams for a future together and your desires for continued growth in your love and fidelity." -1986 issue

4. "Write down everything you need to accomplish but be as specific as possible, breaking down your goals into individual tasks. For instance, instead of jotting down "wedding flowers," write: 1) call friends for florist referrals; 2) interview florists; 3) decide on wedding bouquets and corsages; 4) pick table arrangements; 5) send letter of agreement to florist." -July/August 1990 issue

5. "Allowing wedding preparations to consume you day-in and day-out can cause you to lose perspective. It's very helpful to focus in spurts on specific goals, like choosing the floral arrangements, and then to take mini-breaks from even thinking about these decisions." -November/December 1989 issue

6. "Whatever seating arrangements you should choose, it's important to get up and circulate! Visit the other guests' tables and make them feel they are a part of the wedding." -September/October 1988 issue

7. "The perfect wedding site should be within your budget, be conducive to beautiful photos, be able to accommodate your guest list and have facilities for serving the food you wish." -September/October 1988 issue

8. "Once you have an approximation of the number of guests you will be inviting, you will need to look at banquet rooms that will accommodate your needs. If you are inviting 100 guests, you will want a room that will hold at least 125 people. Allow some leeway in the number of guests expected so that no one is standing when dinner is served." -Spring 1986 issue

9. "Your wedding invitation will be your guests' first glimpse of the big day to come, so you'll want it to reflect the style and special touches on which you've spent so much time." -July/August 1995 issue

10. "Each thank-you note should be handwritten and as warm and personal as possible. Many people find gifts of money difficult to acknowledge, but they can be easy if you just mention how you plan to use the money." -Spring 1986 issue

11. "Because it will be the highlight of the celebration, the wedding music deserves your utmost attention. It will determine the entire atmosphere for this joyous occasion." -Autumn 1986 issue

12. "Before planning your honeymoon, take a little time to discover what type of traveler you each are. Only when you understand each other's needs and expectations can you fulfill each other's honeymoon dreams. Each year, thousands of honeymooners select secluded destinations that offer the perfect balance of privacy and amenities. They're perfect if your favorite entertainment includes sleeping, reading, swimming, snorkeling and sunset-watching. But if you tend to get restless, pick a place that offers more sightseeing and shopping, as well as some night-clubbing." -January/February 1990 issue

Hiring Vendors

13. "Ask married friends for advice. Those who've already been through the wedding maze have excellent leads on photographers, caterers and printers." -November/December 1989 issue

14. "When you book, put everything in writing in a "two-way" contract. The contract should include all that is required of you and all that the vendor will provide for you." -Spring 1986 issue

15. "There are many differences between a professional production and Uncle Joe's production. Because the action is happening and you only have three seconds or less to capture a particular moment; a kiss, a toss of flowers, a wink, a smile, the amateur usually just doesn't know how to operate a camera that quickly or properly. Non-professionals are also often unaware of lighting requirements, design composition, sound and they may not be able to edit a professional production with a continuous story and smooth flow." -Spring 1986 issue

16. "Look at a sample wedding album, not just a portfolio of work. That way, you'll get an overall picture of how a photographer covers a wedding from beginning to end." -July/August 1990 issue

17. "You will want to have ample opportunities to see examples of the photographer's work. Equally important, however, is to study the personality of the individual responsible for photographing your wedding. Be aware of how you feel in their presence. This person will be in charge of making all the people at your wedding feel comfortable, so you must certainly be at ease with him or her." -Spring 1987 issue

18. "It's important that you feel comfortable with the videographer. Be sure to establish a relationship that allows for flexibility and creativity. Make sure you meet with them prior to the wedding and let them know what you want." -September/October 1988 issue

19. "When selecting flowers for your wedding day, be sure to go to a professional whose reputation has been established and whose reliability is unquestioned. Take swatches of the bridesmaids' dresses so that he/she can color coordinate their flower arrangements, as well as all other floral decorations." -1986 issue

20. "The ideal florist should be able to create the arrangements you want — even if he or she has to substitute less expensive flowers for the luxurious ones in your chosen bouquet or centerpiece. The style and 'flavor' of your inspiration should be kept intact." -1986 issue

21. "Once you've chosen your band, you'll want to 'rehearse' them for your wedding. Two weeks before, give them your reception timetable and — if they will do the announcing — a list of important names. (Write out difficult names phonetically and pronounce each name for the band leader.)" -Summer 1986 issue

22. "Because weddings usually involve a diverse group of friends and family members, many couples opt for a mix of musical styles in an effort to please everyone. Seasoned wedding bands or DJs should be able to segue from Fifties rock and roll to top 40." -July/August 1993 issue

23. "Services offered by bridal consultants often are priceless, experts agree, because they can help eliminate worry and heighten enjoyment for the happy couple and their families. Besides, a good consultant should be able to help you save money." -Spring 1987 issue

24. "Both the consultant and bride should be fair with one another. While the consultant should be flexible to the bride's wishes, the bride shouldn't "undercut" - eliminate the consultant and go directly to any of the recommended suppliers." -Spring 1987 issue

Fashion & Beauty

25. "What makes a truly radiant bride? The initial glow will come from inside, a happiness that you couldn't contain even if you wanted to." -July/August 1990 issue

26. "A bride's appearance on her wedding day should be the single most spectacular visual component of the entire celebration!" -Autumn 1986 issue

27. "When choosing her wedding dress, a girl should consider her everyday look and not try to be something she's not on her big day. If she doesn't dress in evening wear with all of the jewelry and glitz, she shouldn't try to do it on her wedding day because she's not going to be able to pull it off. If she's a simple person who likes simple lines, that's what she should pick." -January/February 1990 issue

28. "One thing a bride must be careful of when choosing a gown is to look at her body and the dress objectively and see if the silhouette she's chosen is right for her...in the same way, just because a dress looks good in a photograph doesn't mean it's necessarily best for her. Brides should be open-minded and they should take their time selecting a gown, because it really is too important a day to have made an impulsive decision." -January/February 1990 issue

29. "A bride needs to feel comfortable in her dress. She has to be able to function and feel good in it all the way through the reception." -March/April 1996 issue

30. "Remember that you'll be on your feet for many hours, so break the shoes in before the wedding. Scrape the soles on cement or some other rough surface to prevent slipping. Consider wearing the shoes to the rehearsal dinner." -Autumn 1986

31. "Color is key when selecting bridesmaid dresses. Cue into a single hue and let each attendant express herself in a style that's all her own." -September/October 1996 issue

32. "Make sure the men's formalwear fits properly. Shirt collar should hug neck; shirt cuffs should extend at least one-half inch beyond jacket sleeves; the trousers should touch shoe tops." -Winter 1986 issue

33. "Your hairstyle, elegantly blending with your headpiece and gown, takes some planning and creativity as well as communication with your stylist. A great cut with built-in style can put hair of any type on the fast track to looking beautiful." -July/August 1990 issue

Relationship Advice

34. "It's important to focus your energy on planning the actual marriage, not just the wedding — that means discussing with your fiance what you both want your marriage to mean and how you want it to work." -September/October 1996 issue

35. "Make going to get your marriage license a special event. Stop for lunch or bring flowers to commemorate the occasion." -January/February 1990 issue

36. "Wedding planning should be a time when two people cement their relationship, building on the warmth and closeness that brought them together in the first place. By protecting this precious time, you two can avert patterns that could lead to unhealthy habits later. Strive to develop positive routines. Spend plenty of quiet time together, work jointly to make important decisions and take special interest in each other's lives." -January/February 1990 issue

37. "Have a romantic dinner at least once a week. During those hectic months, the two of you are constantly surrounded by people and may find yourselves reduced to conversations like, "Should we have a shrimp appetizer or eggplant?" Give yourself some time to cuddle, catch up and wind down. Don't discuss wedding arrangements at these dinners." -November/December 1989 issue

38. "Joint decision making doesn't mean a rigid 50-50 participation by both partners each and every time. At times, one partner may be the more dominant decision maker, sometimes the other may be." -November/December 1989 issue

39. "Stress from a good thing, such as a wedding, can be as harmful to your body as stress from a negative event, such as the loss of a relative...maintain a balanced diet that provides you with enough nutritionally sound calories to handle the increased demands on your body. Exercise is probably the last thing you want to make time for, but it can be the best way to beat the wedding jitters." -Summer 1987 issue

Managing Expectations with Loved Ones

40. "How will your attendants know what their most important tasks will be? They'll take their cues from you. When you ask a close friend or relative to be in your bridal party, it's only fair to outline what you expect — and don't expect — of them. After all, unless they've been a member of a wedding party before, it's likely your attendant will only have vague ideas of what an attendant should do. And those ideas will probably lean towards the traditional: bridal showers, addressing invitations, wearing the same dresses." -March/April 1996

41. "There's no better way for you to thank your bridesmaids than with a special party in their honor before the wedding. A small, intimate luncheon, a sophisticated cocktail party or a fun-filled night out with the girls at a restaurant or almost anywhere you decide is fine. It's also the perfect opportunity for you to present your bridesmaids with a gift of appreciation for their service and friendship." -July/August 1990 issue

42. "In the hectic months that precede your wedding day, tensions can mount so much that you sometimes feel like you're walking a tightrope between what you want and what your parents want. And when they're paying for some of the options, it gets a little tricky to maintain your balance." -Summer 1987 issue

43. "Part of the reason for the pre-wedding squabbling going on between you and your parents is that they're having separation anxiety over seeing their "baby" fly from the nest. Spending an evening with dad at the movies or taking mom out for brunch will do much to reassure them that even after you become a Mrs., you'll still be their little girl." -November/December 1989 issue

44. "Attempting to satisfy everyone's tastes is a stress-causing, losing proposition. Weddings are an emotional time for all family members. Besides, no one's expecting you to be Gandhi, and everyone wants you to have a day you'll later look back on with blissful memories." -November/December 1989 issue

45. "Know that it's common for your priorities to change after marriage; but even so, you can maintain old friendships and enjoy making new ones." -January/February 1990 issue