The Bridal Method

18/07/2024

26/03/2024

If you’re able to get your linens prior to the wedding (if you’re purchasing on your own), get them in extra early and take them out of the box, check them for all the wrinkles.
You can start steaming them now to get a head of the wedding day, you just need to fold them back VERY nicely. It WILL save you time on the wedding day.

If you have a hired planner or event manager, ask them what their protocol is for wrinkled linens, BUT I have some VERY IMPORTANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS-

Your hired pro MIGHT NOT HAVE TIME to do this or THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE THE EXTRA STAFF (especially if it’s just one planner).
If this is the case, see what they can do in the time that they do have.
Like I said, focus on the linens that are more scene. Guests tables have chairs so it’s easy to hide a little messy linen, where those tables that I mentioned in the video are not.

Next, venue linens, ask them what to expect with the wrinkles in the linens.
I have walked into s**t shows before and infuriated by how wrinkled the linens are.
This is why I know NOW to ask about the linen situation. I was new once like you too and didn’t know all these things....you learn a LOT after 11 years of planning weddings. A LOT of stuff you won’t find out until it’s too late.

If you’re lucky enough to have the venue all day or the day before to handle all this, that’s a luxury. Use that time wisely to detail out these things and have a plan of attack for the linens, bc it DOES take awhile to steam linens, especially if you have a lot of linen!!!

What’s your thought on the linens? You Care? Don’t care??

and BTW: having wrinkled linen isn’t going to MAKE your wedding day but if you are into aesthetics, it probably will bother you if they are wrinkled.

Happy Planning

22/06/2022

Who is Kimberly Hensley? Hey....that's me!!!!

and why is it important for you to know who I am????

Because if you are going to stick around my page for wedding advice you should know who the hell I am when it comes giving you wedding planning tips.

I've been planning weddings for a DECADE....a freaking DECADE....
I have been a part of 240+ weddings planned....TWO-HUNDRED & FORTY!
Wrap your head around that...you are planning just 1!

Every wedding is totally different, which means that my experience as a planner has equipped me to deal with 240 different planning scenarios....

Yes, 240 different couples, budgets, designs, logistics, timelines (OMG the timelines), small details, BIG details, over-bearing moms, laid-back moms, and 240 different brides' personalities. A 3rd of my job is actually being therapist.

Fun Fact-I'm super-psycho about wedding day timelines. I will work a timeline 20x until I like the way it flows perfectly.

I'm award winning, been winning the Knot's Best of Weddings for years and years and years...yes that is a total brag.
I've got other accolades but, they just mean that I produce pretty weddings;')

But after all these weddings, 5-start review, and awards...my biggest accomplishment is The Bridal Method.

Having created a course for couples to follow that walks them through planning their wedding step-by-step, using the same planning method I have used to produce 240 weddings and packaging it into a digital self-guided interactive course, while making it ridiculously affordable, has been my absolute dream!

My passion project is alive...it's created new friendships, introduced me to brides I would have never of met if it wasn't for TBM and sparked a new feeling of success for me;')

And…That’s me…..
Kimberly Hensley;")

29/04/2022

I know you can't think of everything right, I get it, you have a MILLION and one things going through your brain when you are wedding planning. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Here's the deal: these things aren't going to make or break your day, except the last one...Let's ALL RELAX shall we. Let me break down these details for you:

🥐🍳🥓 Breakfast/lunch for the girls & guys:
Feed your tribe. If you are getting ready during breakfast...feed them. Are you rolling into lunch too...feed them. Also, you as a bride need to eat...yes...eat...I don't care if it's a veggie tray or chick-Fil-A, you need to eat. If you are serving cocktails that's another reason to eat. Nobody likes slushy bridesmaids/groomsmen and definitely not a bride or groom!

👰🏻Dress bustler and time in the timeline to bustle:
I've seen this take 20 freaking minutes before....get the bustler, add it to the timeline. PERIOD.

🚌End of the night transportation:
I always ask my clients about this and they say "I didn't even think about that". This is why I added it, you need to know how to get home or to the after-party.....HAVE the after-party.

📃Designating someone to secure your marriage license after it's signed:
You lose that license you're not married!

🖊Pens for the guest book: (yup that's a thing)
I carry pens with me just for this....ya'll always forgetting pens!!!

💆🏻‍♀️TO RELAX!!!!!
PLEASE....it's key to having an amazing day!!!

Save this post for later to make sure you have all your bases covered!

22/04/2022

Who can relate? Raise your hand in the comments!

18/04/2022

There are so many newbie followers here so....Let's get to know each other!
⁠
I have been told I'm funny...and sassy so I hope you're up for it! Here are some things you might want to know about me before you dive deep into The Bridal Method⁠:⁠
⁠
1️⃣I have a CRAZY addition to creating the perfect wedding day timeline!⁠
2️⃣I love tequila, it is my drink (shot) of choice.
3️⃣I've been featured in The Knot's "Best of Wedding" for 9 years in a row...and counting. Plus I have features in over 22 wedding blogs.⁠
⁠
Okay so enough about me.. I want to hear about you, girl! What are you most excited about when it comes to your wedding, what does your dream wedding look like, what is your drink of choice, or whatever you want to share with me!!!⁠..

08/04/2022

I don't know who needs to hear this but...the traditional champagne toast is generally a waste of money (I realize some of you might be gasping)!🙉⁠
⁠
I see sooo much of this previous bubbly go to waste, sometimes literally thousands of dollars of champagne down the drain. ⁠
⁠
If you really want champagne but you don't want to pay the cost there is a way to make having champagne more cost-effective. ⁠
⁠
🍾Order it for you & your man, and the people giving the toast.⁠
⁠
🍾You can also just order for you and your wedding party. ⁠
⁠
Unless you are hell-bent on the champagne toast I say skip it! Most people don't even drink it..they take a sip to be respectful and then go back to their current drink. ⁠
⁠
If you already have the champagne toast included in your package it IS okay to ask them how much it would be to remove it....you might be surprised that this puts a good amount of money in your pocket for something useful. ⁠
⁠
Are you having a champagne toast? Drop your comment below. 👇🏻⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
planawedding

04/04/2022

3 wedding bars you should be aware of!⁠
⁠
I know there are soooo many things you have to think of when you are wedding planning. If you are lucky you landed a venue that has taken care of this big detail for you...but if not...that's okay, I'm here to give you some helpful advice!⁠
⁠
So let's chat about the different bar options there are to fit your budget. ⁠
⁠
💰Bar option 1: Consumption Bar-You have to be careful with this one because it's based on how many drinks are actually consumed or bottles are opened (or both). Typically, the couple will choose an amount per guest and apply that dollar amount towards the bar. ⁠
⁠
You have to be careful with this because if you underestimate how much your guests will drink you can end up spending more money than anticipated. ⁠
⁠
💸Bar option 2: Hosted Bar-A hosted bar is the most popular option. Here you will pay an amount per person for an open bar...they can drink as much or as little as they want.⁠
The plus to a hosted bar is that it's a safe bet. The downside is that if it's $50.00 PP and Grandma only drinks one $7.00 glass of wine you end up losing money. I find that there are other guests that will make up for Grandma's lack of drinking. lol!⁠
⁠
🤑Bar option 3: Cash Bar-I prefer to skip over this one only because it's frowned upon in the industry. While you can opt for this option, just remember, you asked your guests to come to your wedding, for them to take time away from probably 1 of their 2 weekend days off and maybe you asked them to travel too. Don't make them pay for their own drinks too!⁠
⁠
What kind of bar are you having at your wedding?

⁠

14/03/2022

Pssstttt... just a friendly reminder that your ring bearer should doesn't REALLY carry the rings! The best man does.

Even if they are an older ring bearer... even if they are objectively a relaxed kiddo that won't freak out walking down the aisle...

It's gonna be a big hell Nah from me, girlfriend. Don't risk it!

Instead, have them carry a sweet sign. These days, the ring bearer and flower girl roles are more of a way to include those younger family members that mean so much to you (rather than actually fulfilling a big responsibility!)

And while we are on the topic of small children & reminders, remember to have a trusted adult sitting in the front row that your ring bearer and flower girl can go sit with during the ceremony! It seems like such a simple detail but it really is important that they know the person they are supposed to sit with, so they don't get scared, and they aren't fidgety throughout your whole ceremony 😉

Have any other questions about ring bearers or flower girls? Let me know!

28/02/2022

On the fence about writing your own vows? Read this! 👇

One of my FAVORITE parts of the ceremony, and one I try to find the time to watch, is when I know my clients have written their own vows.

There is something so special about hearing how two people feel about one another!

Throughout my years planning weddings, I've found that it's about a 50/50 split on couples who choose to write their own vows and those who don't. And if you're on the fence, I'm SURE you can guess the main reasons for the no's...

It usually comes down to two things:

- I'm nervous I'll cry.
- I'm horrible at expressing my feelings verbally.

(but really, the NERVES are what usually take the cake).

So here's the deal girlfriend: first of all, you should NOT be nervous about anything. Whenever my client gets nervous before their ceremony, I remind them that they know all the people there! They are your closest friends & family. No reason to worry!

With that in mind, if you ARE thinking about writing your vows, I want to give you some tips:

✨ Start with an outline. Get an idea of what you want to say! Make a list of all the things you love about him.

✨ Make it light! You do not have to be serious. Most people laugh during personal vows. If you vow to stop leaving your makeup all over the bathroom counter, tell him that! It can be cute & silly, too.

✨ Less is more! You do not have to talk for 10 minutes. Keep it simple, girl.

✨ Be unique! Your relationship isn't cookie cutter, so your vows shouldn't be either- that's why you're writing them!

✨ This may sound crazy BUT most of my clients have written their vows ON their wedding day. However, I recommend starting a few weeks before the wedding so you can give yourself a chance to sit with it!

Lastly... and this is important! I've never heard a BAD vow. You just can't f*ck this up! Love is love and no one is going to boo you for your vows.. I PROMISE!

So, tell me! Who is writing their own vows? Drop me a line... hell yes or hell no?! 👇

25/02/2022

It’s ONE day and you want to make sure it’s fun, enjoyable, and as seamless as possible.

My ultimate wedding day prep guide is packed with details to help you prep for the big day and most importantly, make the best of your wedding day💍💍

And the best part….it’s FREE ya’ll!

Click the link in my bio and download your copy now!

21/02/2022

Before you set your BUDGET for your big day, READ THIS! 👇

I often have brides ask me how they should allocate their budget, based on percentages. For example, they'll ask: how much of my budget do I spend on florals? What about entertainment? How much do I spend on food, how much do I spend on the cake?!

And girlfriend, do I WISH I could just say "spend 20% on flowers, 10% on your DJ, 30% on your catering..."

But the reality is, I can't!

Because every single bride is unique.

So, when I budget for a client, I don't give them set percentages. Instead, I have them rank how important these items are to them and then I put an amount that will cover what they want.

This way, if a band is more important than a photographer, I put more money in their band budget and then in their photography budget.

If you haven't done this yet, I encourage you to rank each aspect of your wedding! What is the MOST important to your big day? These are where you'll want to plan to spend the most money.

What other questions do you have about budgeting? I'd love to help!

14/02/2022

Celebrating love today & everyday 💕 Happy Valentine's Day, babes!

And a big congratulations to all the girls I know are getting rings today!

💍

11/02/2022

Easy wedding planning tasks to pass off to your MAN if he wants to be involved! 👇

Girl, I’ve planned a lot of weddings (230 and counting!) and if I’m being honest, it's not always that a groom wants to be super involved.

However, some guys will want to be in on a few tasks, OR you will want to get some help from them because, girl...you can't do it all!.
Here are a few things the guys are great at doing if you need them to chop away at the list with you!

1️⃣ Make sure they are checking on their groomsmen and keeping them in order when it comes to getting their attire and knowing the schedule! You have your girls to worry about, he should handle his guys.

2️⃣ Have him handle transportation details (pssst, this is boring anyway!) like getting quotes and picking the vehicles.

3️⃣ Ask him to help research caterers, or handle the bar! Food & booze are usually where the dudes get most interested, in my experience.

Will your man be getting involved in the planning?!
💍

07/02/2022

Comin' at cha on this busy Monday with a PRO TIP regarding getting all dolled up on your big day👇

You've picked out your dream wedding day hairstyle from Pinterest, and you've chosen the stylist you want to work with... things are coming together! But before you make that final decision and have your trial run (more on this in a later post!), I have a pro tip for you!

If you can avoid traveling to the salon on the wedding day, you are better off. Trust me!

First, if you have to travel, that's earlier you have to get up to get there

Then, you will need to organize transportation for all your girls to ensure everyone makes it on time.

Third, you risk accidents (and I mean you in an accident) and other traffic issues that can delay your day by hours.

SKIP this, girl. Don’t add the extra stress, make sure your desired stylist(s) can come to you before making it official!

Make sure you follow along for more wedding day tips!

05/02/2022

A whoooole vibe. 🥂

Who is knocking out some wedding planning to-dos this weekend?!

01/02/2022

The answer to one of my most commonly asked questions, explained BELOW 👇

I'm asked so often about what is realistic in terms of the timeline, both for planning and on the big day!

Today I'm going to share a little bit about the planning timeline.

I have so many brides reach out with messages like, "I want to get married in 8 months, can I do it?!" or "We want to hold off and have a long engagement, at what point do I need to get serious about planning?!"

Let me in on a little secret girlfriend: YOU get to choose what your wedding planning timeline looks like.

There is no right answer!

Within The Bridal Method, I've actually created a timeline calendar template, but one of the first things I cover is that it is YOUR calendar. You can change things around if it doesn’t meet your personal timeline goals because we know things change. When wedding planning, nothing is ever set in stone!

While one year is typically the "norm" from start of wedding planning to the actual big day, it's completely possible to get it all done sooner (especially with a resource like The Bridal Method that lays it all out for you step-by-step!)

If you want to have plenty of time, 12 months is a good buffer, but again- it's YOUR wedding, girl! You do you!
💍

28/01/2022

Planning on doing a first look with dad? Keep reading for my thoughts on this new tradition!

Last week we talked about FIRST LOOK with your man - this week I'm sharing why you should do a first look with the other most important man in your life!

Your dad has always been your #1 man, and trust me when I say he has been thinking of this moment since you were born: the big day when he would see you get married!

Sharing this experience with your dad in a private reveal is something neither of you will ever forget. It's also an awesome opportunity for those sentimental photos you can hang on the wall of the living room.

Get your tissues ready, though, because this is usually the most emotional moment of the day in the weddings I've been a part of over the years!

Will you be doing a first look with your dad? Are there any questions I can answer for you about this?!

24/01/2022

THREE things to ask yourself before hiring a DJ 👇

I'm ready to paaaaartaaaaayyyyy... (name the movie!)

But seriously, today we are chatting all about selecting a DJ and what you need to know!

This is one of the most fun parts of a wedding - dancing the night away with your best girls celebrating!

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before diving into your search for the perfect DJ (if you're going this route, a band is a valid option too, but we will save that for another post!)

🎶 What *type* of DJ do you want? For example... do you want an interactive DJ? A party DJ? A DJ that sits on the sidelines and does the basic MC duties but stays quiet the rest of the time?

🎶 Will you use the DJ for your ceremony and cocktail music, or will you hire a musician for these events? If you are using the DJ for the entire day, you will want to give them all the locations for the setups. For example, if you’re having them handle cocktail hour and reception, that is potentially two setups. A setup is each area where they’re going to need to set up their equipment. This can affect your overall investment so be sure to have this conversation!

🎶 When you are interviewing the DJ, make sure you ask about
their style. If it doesn’t fit yours, ask them if they are okay with changing things up or find someone that beats to your drum!

Have you already selected a DJ, or will you be exploring the band route? Let me know if you have any questions about either! 👇

21/01/2022

On the fence about doing a FIRST LOOK at your wedding? Keep reading! 👇

I'm a HUGE fan of brides doing a first look with their soon-to-be husbands. In my opinion, there are a ton of pros to having this adorable photo op!

First, let's start with my top three pros!

✨It is an intimate time you otherwise likely won't get on your big day. It's a time for the two of you spend together sharing hugs, kisses, him telling you how pretty you look, twirling you around looking at you in your dress, etc. It’s magical!

✨ I have found that more guys cry during the first look than at the altar (the altar makes everyone nervous!), so if you want that big reaction out of your man, a first look is more likely to give it to you. When you skip the first look and he’s seeing you walking down the aisle, he’s usually so overwhelmed he just stands there and smiles.

✨ You will be SO much more relaxed. I can’t tell you how much pressure comes off once you do
the first look, plus you can hang with the whole wedding party beforehand. It’s just SO fun and starts the day off on a super fun note!

In addition to these, you also can get the majority of your photos out of the way, AND you can enjoy cocktail hour if you plan to have one. Hand me that martini, am I right? 🍸

And when it comes to cons...

I have to be honest, I can't think of any!

The only real hang-up is tradition. If tradition is super important to you, you may want to skip the first look.

It's definitely clear where I stand on it after over 230 weddings! 👀

What questions do you have about doing a first look on your big day?

19/01/2022

The Bridal Method is jam-packed with valuable tips for saving money, hiring the best vendors, selecting your dream venue, saying yes to the perfect dress and.... THIS. 😂

But REALLY GIRL. I make sure you know what you need to know!

EVERYTHING you need to know.

Even if it is a little TMI. 🤪

Because anything that can make your big day better is a WIN in my book!

I leave no stone unturned, no bottle uncorked, no linen unpressed.

Double-tap if this trick is news to you!

If you're ready to have my favorite planning checklists, templates and pro tips in your back pocket as you plan, head over to the link in my bio to learn more about The Bridal Method. You can also DM me with questions, because like I said... I'm here for you, girl!

17/01/2022

If you've started looking at photographers for your wedding, you've likely come across the term "shot list." If you're not in the photography world, this can be a little confusing! What is a shot list, who is responsible for it, do you even really need one?!

Ensuring you've hired the right photographer and prepped them for what you want can be overwhelming. There is a lot that goes into it- so much so that within The Bridal Method, I included a questionnaire for brides to go over with their photographers! They are capturing your big day to be remembered forever, so it's definitely important.

It's a good idea to cover the idea of a shot list with your chosen photographer - ask them if they like to work off of one they've created themselves. Then, make sure they have a shot list of your non-negotiable photos - all of the images you definitely want to capture. For example, if a silly photo between you and your siblings is a must-have, add it to the list. If you and your BFF have a signature pose and you want it cemented in your wedding album forever, add it to the list!

Do you have any questions for creating a shot list?! Leave them below and I'll answer them this week!

14/01/2022

STOP the scroll, girl ✋ I'm about to change your life! 😉

We all love Pinterest for a variety of reasons -- whether you're looking for interior design inspo, outfit ideas or using it to plan your wedding, it's pretty much the bomb. 💣

It's an easy platform to use because you can easily save blogs and photos to your boards. BUT... did you know you can use Instagram in a super similar way?

The SAVE feature here on Instagram is one of my favorites because not only can you keep track of great content, you can actually organize it into collections (think of these like Pinterest boards!)

All you have to do is click the little bookmark symbol in the lower right corner under a post, and you'll see the option to 'Save to Collection.' Click this and you'll see the option to create a new collection with the plus sign. Give it a title and BAM - all your favorite wedding planning tips from IG in one easy to find place. 💥

Now I'm gonna ask you for a favor...

While this will help you keep track of all the golden nuggets of wedding planning tips I share, we know that Instagram doesn't always show you EVERYTHING I post.

You could be missing out on my favorite pro tips!

So, if you want to continue seeing my content throughout 2022, please comment your favorite emoji below, and make sure you drop a like on the posts from me you LOVE! This helps me determine what information is the most valuable for brides-to-be, and it helps you continue to see my tips.

Thanks, babes! Love ya, mean it 💋

12/01/2022

I've had so many new brides-to-be join me here on Instagram lately, and with the new year officially here, I felt it would be a great time for a re-introduction!

To get the credentials out of the way: I own Kimberly Hensley Events and I've spent over a *decade* planning weddings. Yes - some of you were probably in middle school when I got into the wedding industry 🤪

I like to do things differently, and some of my opinions are a little bit controversial (see the few Reels I've done on the 'kids at weddings' topic if you're curious!)

Wedding planning should be FUN, and that belief is what led me to create Kimberly Hensley Events and now, the Bridal Method.

The craziest part of my journey is that if you asked me over ten years ago what I was doing, I probably wouldn't have pictured having this amazing career. I feel so fortunate that this is my life! Getting to make dreams come true for hundreds of couples? Does it get any better?!

I'm so glad to have you in my community here, because I LOVE educating brides on how to go from "no clue" to "I DO" with ease!

So now I want to know about you! Where are you located and how long have you been engaged?!