Tying the Knot: A Beautiful Guide for the Military Bride

The Big Day!

While you are working on getting yourself wedding day perfect, you must simultaneously plan the whole event. Kim McAllister, certified wedding and event planner of Kim McAllister Event and Wedding Planning, can tell us how to plan and achieve a beautiful event with minimal stress. During Kim’s eight years serving in the United States Air Force, she planned her dream wedding to her also active duty Air Force husband to take place on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. With all the military lifestyle pressures at play, she was faced with having to plan her wedding one day. Since leaving the military, she keeps her own challenges in mind from her wedding day planning, as she helps countless couples set and achieve their budgeting and planning needs.

Here are some of Kim’s tips:

Create a budget and stick to it: “This is so important because I see so many couples have elaborate weddings which is fine, but they went over their budget and now they are starting their marriage in debt. Before setting a date, sit down with your fiancé and talk over a reasonable budget.” She believes couples should set a wedding date that is far enough in advance to allow for spending that will not cause too much of a strain on their personal budget.

Plan your wedding the way you want it: “I think my biggest pet peeve in this industry is when others try to tell you what to do or have for your wedding. Unsolicited advice from family members, while well-meaning, usually cause the most stress for a bride-to-be. If your new mother-in-law wants tulips, but you want roses, you should go with the roses. It’s a day for you and your partner to share; bend to the needs of each other and bypass the unsolicited advice of others.” 

Set your timeline and checklist: “Create a timeline and a list of services that you will be needing. Set goals to reach certain deadlines. There are so many websites online that have resources to help you complete this task.”

Have fun: “This is the most important piece of advice I can offer. I did a poll a few months ago where I asked 100 women what is the first word that came to their mind when they thought of a wedding. I received more negative words than positives and only one person said “fun.” One.

Folks, this is your wedding day. Make planning your wedding fun. Choose to laugh instead of stress. Whether you get married in a huge cathedral with thousands of people or a beach with only you and your mate, it is still an experience you will never forget. Your perfect wedding will be perfect because you are marrying your soulmate. Have fun during the process.

Enjoy being engaged, enjoy your wedding day! Let your hair hang loose and dance the night away with the one that you chose forever.”

Makeup Credit: Melanie Simon, LE of LaRaeFX By Melanie LLC, USAF Spouse \\ Hair Credit: Nikki Tolson of Tamed Tangles By Tolson, USAF Spouse \\ Photography Credit: Jenna Winebarger of Whimsy Day Photography, USAF Spouse