8 Tips for a stress free wedding day
Planning a wedding can be stressful; there are so many elements to consider and prepare for, family members to navigate, and choices to be made. Even with the best-laid plans, your wedding day can also be stressful - with everything needing to fall into place, from timings to the weather, to working out if my dress will fit? Will the food come out on time? Are the family going to be ok at the same table?
Your wedding day should be the best day of your life, not the most stressful with that in mind, here are a few tips to hopefully help relieve some of those stresses.
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Plan your timings: It's helpful to have a detailed plan for how your day will flow and what will happen when. Putting realistic timings in will help the flow of your day, creating an enjoyable experience for you and your guests. I recommend speaking with your suppliers, venue and photographer to ensure that all timings are realistic, so the day flows well, and nothing feels rushed.
Share your plan: If you don't have a wedding coordinator, choose a trusted, reliable person who knows what you have planned, when and who is responsible. Having someone else with insight into what is happening when will give you the headspace to enjoy the day and be present in every moment of your day.
3. Couples photos: I hear so many couples say, 'I don't look good in photos, don't make me pose, my partner hates having his photo taken ….'
Your photographer's responsibility is to help take the stress out of this part of your day. My style is relaxed, and I aim to put all my couples at ease by capturing their natural love through them being themselves. If you are nervous about this part of your day, a great way to ease those nerves is to book in for a pre-wedding shoot which will allow you to get comfortable with your photographer without the pressure of it being your actual wedding day.
4. Family photos - We've all been there at the family photo part of a wedding where you can't find Auntie Sheila because she's in the loo or Uncle Harry just nipped to the bar. These moments can be super stressful and a point of tension between families. To combat this, I suggest you decide on no more the 15 combinations of family photos, for example, (Bride, groom and brides family 2, Bride, groom and siblings)
This will eliminate how long the process is and how many people are involved; it will also ensure you don't miss out on a shot you want.
It helps to let you let the family know ahead of time that they will be needed for family photos, giving a rough time and location, so they know when to be prepared for
And finally, it is beneficial to have a designated friend/ family member who knows your family and can help ensure the right person is in the right place at the right time.
5. Plan some alone time with your partner. Your wedding day can be pretty busy, with many people wanting your time and attention. Surprisingly (unless you plan this in), you don't always get a lot of time for you both to take a breath and enjoy the moment.
I always suggest prioritising breaking away from the party for a sundown shoot. Not only do you get some incredible photos at the most beautiful time of day, but you can catch a moment together away from the crowd.
6. Bring some snacks. Nobody wants to get 'hangry' on their wedding day. With nerves, the buzz of getting ready, being in a constant conversation or being moved from one place to another can mean that eating becomes low on the priority list, particularly in the morning. Once the adrenaline of the ceremony has worn off, your wedding breakfast can seem so far away. So have one of your bridal parties keep a secret stash of snacks to keep you going.
7. Check the weather. Keep an eye on the weather for your day. Britain can feature all weather conditions in one day. So be prepared with an umbrella, something cosy to keep you warm that compliments your dress and some sunscreen (you don't want that burn before you reach your honeymoon) The last thing you want to be is cold and wet when trying to enjoy yourself and capture some memorable moments.
8. Bring a pair of comfy shoes - It's a long day on your feet. You may not have worn your wedding shoes before the big day. They will undoubtedly look fantastic, but as the evening approaches, your feet may require a break. Bring a pair of comfy shoes, flats or flip flops so you can dance the night away. Don't let sore feet hold you back from enjoying the party with your favourite people.
I hope these eight tips help you have a stress free wedding day :)