I'm still very much in the afterglow so may see a few more things on reflection later on.. but just wanted to share this with you all while it's fresh.

I had no idea what a blur so much of the day would be - it really felt trance like, surreal, almost like it was happening and I was just flowing with it rather than controlling it.
I had no idea of time at any point - make sure someone else is on top of what should be happening when.
I lost my bag at least 50 times during the evening - assign it to mum/sister

So many of the little details that I had so painstakingly worried about and searched for and paid extra for - really didn't matter a jot on the day.

I had only 4 children but the sweet table was a huge hit - surrounded by adults most all of the time - so if you are thinking of having one, do it.

Sleep in the build up days - you wont sleep much the night before or the wedding night.

Make sure you have some time after - I went straight back to work and my head was just on cloud 9 and nothing else but wedding memories and thoughts made any sense.

Eat! I picked a little at the meal - more or less missed the buffet until about 11pm - it's so easy to forget to eat.

It's almost impossible to feel that you've spent enough time with each guest and really forget about time for each other.

Waterproof mascara - you WILL cry at something, some point in the day :-)

Assign someone to be on guest book duty - take the book round to everyone. I have loved reading it and either been in tears of emotion or roaring with laughter at the comments.
Ask your friends to take a gazzilion photos. You wont get tired of looking at any of them. Each group will also take different people, angles etc and you will have stuff to look at on fb while waiting for photographers pics
On that note - make a list of any pics you would be upset if you dont have - it isnt easy to remember on the day.

and I think the main thing I learned was invite who you want there - not who you think you should have. First, they will more likely turn up and second you will enjoy your day far better surrounded by people you want there.

Hope this may help someone or at least give you food for thought.

xx

Edit to add: the flip flop box went down a storm ( wasn't sure anyone would actually use it) I bought a handful of those slipper/sock things £1 from primarni and they was def most popular
The bathroom box was just about empty! Even the spare knickers I put in the box were gone!!!!!

ooo makes me really excited reading this!! xx

Something else that didn't occur to me before hand and may apply to you..
if you are a DIY wedding - all those things that you spent months making will all need clearing away and taking home the next morning!Maybe ask beforehand how long you have after to clear away? Prepare friends/family to help.
Our hotel needed the room cleared that night so they boxed up everything (in the boxes I had left there) but they threw away whatever they liked - name cards/favour boxes - and left it all in a small room for me to clear. I didn't get any of my 100 tealight candle holders back either.
Not sure how to get around this really unless they are given clear instructions to save everything you may want - or a list maybe?

great post I agree with it especially about the sweetie table. We put buckets on each table full of sweets all the adults loved them cos it was flying saucers and sweets like that and out of 10 buckets I got 3 back think alot went home with guests but didn't mind that lol....

This is a great post. Thanks for posting it.

Finally susan B could you tell me which wholesaler you used or post a link on my wall please?

Susan, when you say the little details you spent time and money on didn't matter, what kind of things do you mean? Try to avoid stressing myself out over things that are not needed :)

Thanks susan :-)