It’s no secret planning a wedding can be stressful. There are so many elements that need to come together in perfect alignment on the big day! So when the day you’ve dreamed of and spent months planning for finally arrives you want to relish every minute. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen the differences between a relaxed bride and a stressed bride. I’ve compiled a little list of simple ways to make sure your day is AMAZING!
1. Always plan for things to take longer than
you think they will.
Having a well thought out timeline is a bride’s best friend. I always suggest brides add some buffer time where possible because something will always inevitably run a few minutes behind. Hair and make-up says they need 60 minutes, plan for 90. The drive from the church to the reception a 10 minute drive? Plan for 20. Adding this buffer time will help eliminate stress if you run behind schedule in one area if you are able to make it up in another. Be sure to send the timeline to all of your vendors, bridal party and family members. The last thing you want is to feel rushed on your wedding day.
2. Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated.
When we’re stressed and busy, we forget to eat. Am I right, ladies?? Make sure you are at least snacking and sipping all day, or else it’ll catch up to you. Fruit is a great option to get your fluids and some sugars to keep your blood sugar where it needs to be. Another thing I’ve noticed is couples not eating their dinner. Please enjoy your meal. You certainly paid enough for it! And it’s never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. :p
3. Delegate! Delegate! Delegate!
The less you’re responsible for on your wedding day, the better! It breaks my heart when I see brides worried about phoning late vendors or assembling twelve centerpieces on a wedding day. Wedding days are stressful enough without adding additional pressure on yourself. Delegate tasks to your bridesmaids and even trusty family members.
4. Assign a “photo wrangler”.
Do not waste 20 minutes trying to corral all seven of your aunts and uncles for a single picture. The open bar is calling and guests want to start the party! Designate someone ahead of time, a family member or close friend who is familiar with everyone. I always suggest my couples have a point person for each side of the family. Also, let your family members know before the wedding day that you’d like a photo with them so they know to stick around following the ceremony. (Making this announcement during your rehearsal is also helpful.)
5. Surrender.
Remember what’s important. At the end of the day, you will be married to your best friend. You can’t control everything; the weather, family drama, if the centerpieces aren’t exactly what you’d envisioned. None of that really matters! Sure it would be wonderful if everything turned out to be absolute perfection but odds are something will be a touch off and that’s ok! Enjoy your day! It goes by in a flash and you don’t want to spend even a minute upset because of a minor detail. Live in the moment. Hug old friends you haven’t seen in years, take a moment to thank your parents, kiss your Grandfather, hold hands with your new husband and dance the night away!
It’s no secret planning a wedding can be stressful. There are so many elements that need to come together in perfect alignment on the big day! So when the day you’ve dreamed of and spent months planning for finally arrives you want to relish every minute. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen the differences between a relaxed bride and a stressed bride. I’ve compiled a little list of simple ways to make sure your day is AMAZING!
1. Always plan for things to take longer than
you think they will.
Having a well thought out timeline is a bride’s best friend. I always suggest brides add some buffer time where possible because something will always inevitably run a few minutes behind. Hair and make-up says they need 60 minutes, plan for 90. The drive from the church to the reception a 10 minute drive? Plan for 20. Adding this buffer time will help eliminate stress if you run behind schedule in one area if you are able to make it up in another. Be sure to send the timeline to all of your vendors, bridal party and family members. The last thing you want is to feel rushed on your wedding day.
2. Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated.
When we’re stressed and busy, we forget to eat. Am I right, ladies?? Make sure you are at least snacking and sipping all day, or else it’ll catch up to you. Fruit is a great option to get your fluids and some sugars to keep your blood sugar where it needs to be. Another thing I’ve noticed is couples not eating their dinner. Please enjoy your meal. You certainly paid enough for it! And it’s never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. :p
3. Delegate! Delegate! Delegate!
The less you’re responsible for on your wedding day, the better! It breaks my heart when I see brides worried about phoning late vendors or assembling twelve centerpieces on a wedding day. Wedding days are stressful enough without adding additional pressure on yourself. Delegate tasks to your bridesmaids and even trusty family members.
4. Assign a “photo wrangler”.
Do not waste 20 minutes trying to corral all seven of your aunts and uncles for a single picture. The open bar is calling and guests want to start the party! Designate someone ahead of time, a family member or close friend who is familiar with everyone. I always suggest my couples have a point person for each side of the family. Also, let your family members know before the wedding day that you’d like a photo with them so they know to stick around following the ceremony. (Making this announcement during your rehearsal is also helpful.)
5. Surrender.
Remember what’s important. At the end of the day, you will be married to your best friend. You can’t control everything; the weather, family drama, if the centerpieces aren’t exactly what you’d envisioned. None of that really matters! Sure it would be wonderful if everything turned out to be absolute perfection but odds are something will be a touch off and that’s ok! Enjoy your day! It goes by in a flash and you don’t want to spend even a minute upset because of a minor detail. Live in the moment. Hug old friends you haven’t seen in years, take a moment to thank your parents, kiss your Grandfather, hold hands with your new husband and dance the night away!
