Chances are if you’re engaged and planning a wedding, you’re hearing tons of opinions and input on what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out! As a wedding photographer, I have seen a lot of things, and as someone who works in the wedding industry, I have some advice for couples on how to have the best wedding day ever! I’m sharing my top 5 wedding day tips for couples!
1. Spend as much time together as possible!
Your wedding day is going to fly by! Trust me on this. You want to look back and remember being with your partner and soaking in every moment of the day together. If you’re wondering how to go about this, especially if your wedding is in the evening and you don’t want to see each other until you get to the venue. Here are some ideas on how to spend more time with your partner on your wedding day!
Stick Together
When you’re greeting guests or dancing, whatever you do, do it together. Hold hands, stand next to one another, and say hello to friends and family with each other! I’ve seen couples split up and greet their guests separately, which is fine! However, if you want to maximize your time together, do it next to each other.
View Your Reception Space Together Before Any Guests See It
It isn’t always possible if you’re having an outdoor wedding and the reception is by the cocktail hour space. But if your reception space is closed off, take 5 to 10 minutes to sneak away before the cocktail hour ends to see your vision brought to life! You could have a private first dance together if you wanted.
Do A First Look, Private Vows, or Letter Reading
I will always advocate for whatever my couples want. Some don’t want to do a first look, that is a-okay! One thing I will say is if you’re not opposed to doing a first look, DO IT! It’s a perfect way to sneak some extra alone time into your timeline; it’s such an intimate and romantic moment. It helps ease your nerves, love on one another before officially tying the not, and it doesn’t take away from the excitement of walking down the aisle! And if you don’t want to do a first look, you could opt to do a private vow or letter reading, or first touch without seeing each other!
2. Relax and enjoy your day!
Wedding planning can be very stressful, and everyone wants their day to flow smoothly and be perfect! Too often, I have seen brides feel like they have to be the point of contact for everyone on their wedding day and answer all the questions. BRIDES…. relax and take in the excitement of YOUR wedding day and let everyone cater to you. This is one of those days in life you can sit back and let everyone else do all the work! In the wedding guide I give to my engaged couples, I go more in-depth on how to prepare and set yourself up for success. If you’re a type A person like me, here’s how you can sit back and relax:
Have a Point of Contact
Give everyone who will need it the phone number of your wedding planner, mom, maid of honor, or anyone else but you. If someone needs something, they can contact the designated person!
Make Lists
I’m a list girlie what can I say 🙂 I have a list for literally every single thing and it helps me tremendously feel organized and less stressed. Print your timeline out and hand it out to anyone who will need it. Make lists for the things you need to pack, and the things you need to remember.
Incorporate Buffer Times Into Your Timeline
Often times makeup and hair can go over schedule, this is why having a buffer time is great! When I’m helping couples build their timeline I always include wiggle room. If you feel rushed or crunched for time, stress levels rise.
Pack For Your Wedding, Days Before the Big Day
This means start setting out all your details, and anything you need for your wedding days in advance so you don’t forget anything!
3. Put yourselves first!
This is one of the most important wedding day tips I could share. Your wedding day is about you, your partner and your love story; don’t forget! I’m going to keep this tip short and sweet. I will always advocate for my couples and what they want (and don’t want). If there is something you want to include in your day, do it! If you don’t want to incorporate all the traditions, don’t. Simple as that!
4. Be Authentic To You
This relates to the tip above. If you aren’t into things that are “traditionally” done at weddings, don’t feel forced into anything you don’t want! Let’s say your personalities are more playful than serious, maybe a black tie or formal wedding isn’t your jam. If you’re foodies (like me), include all your favorite foods or food trucks! Maybe you’re not cake people, serve donuts, pies, cookies, churros, whatever your heart desires! If you need some wedding day tips on how to make your day personal, check out a blog post I wrote, “Five Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Day.”
5. Most Important Wedding Day Tips…Don’t forget to eat!
This might seem silly, and you might be thinking, why would you include this as a tip? I have seen way too many brides not eat on their wedding day. Sometimes nerves leave you without an appetite, or you’re worried about fitting into your dress, etc. Let me tell you something, you will be much happier when you eat. I get hangry and no one wants to be around me when that happens. But it’s going to give you esnergy because you’re going to have a long day! It will be the best day ever but weddings are lengthy!
A lot goes into planning a wedding. I hope these wedding day tips help limit your stress and help set yourself up for success is the best way to have the best wedding day ever!
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