There are few things worse in this world than making it all the way through months of wedding planning, dress fittings and alterations, DIYs, scheduling, and appointments left and right only for your day to be less than enjoyable. Luckily, we are here to help you have a stress-free wedding day you can focus on celebrating the momentous occasion with your closest family and friends.
These tips are in no particular order but:
10 Tips for A Stress Free Wedding Day
1.) Consider A Single Venue
Depending on where you are in the planning journey this tip might be a little late for you, but for those of you who haven’t locked down a location yet, consider places that are equipped to handle everyone getting ready, the ceremony, and the reception. A bonus if you find a place that offers a honeymoon suite for you and your spouse to stay for your entire honeymoon or before you catch the next flight to your dream locations
2.) Bring Some Dancing Shoes
Trust me girl your heels were gorgeous, and they were the perfect match to your dress, and everyone was lucky to have seen them but when they DJ starts playing your jam you are not going to want to shake a tail feather in those beauties! So, bring a change of shoes so you can get to the best part of the celebration! Sore feet are never the goal and there are so many options out there that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort!
3.) Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Try your best not to leave multiple things for the night before. Plan ahead and get it all done so you can rest the best you can! More often than not you will be getting up at some insane hour to get started on hair and make-up as will the rest of your bridesmaids so try to catch as many Z’s as you can!
4.) Pack Snacks
Okay, so I don’t literally mean that you need to pack snack though there is no shame if you do, but have your caterers or a family member have a snack or hors d’oeuvres waiting for you and the wedding party to munch on while you take your photos at the conclusion of the wedding. Everyone else is snacking waiting for dinner to start and they likely haven’t been up and at the venue since 5am. You deserve to munch a little too while you take photos. Just be mindful of protecting the dress above all else!
5.) Name A Keepsake Collector
On your way out the door is not the best time to be trying to collect sentimental items, so leave it to a trusted friend or family member. Make sure they grab things like a few extra programs, a copy of the menu, etc. You may want to even grab a set for your mother and mother-in-law I’m sure they will appreciate that even on your big day you had the forethought to think of them too!
6.) Get Unplugged
Have you seen those videos where the photographer can’t get a clear shot of the bride walking down the aisle because everyone’s phone is out recording? It’s the worst so be sure to ask your officiant to announce that the ceremony is to be unplugged. Typically asking the audience to silence their phones will prompt everyone to check their phones to be sure it is on silent. This may be a little difficult to uphold since COVID as so many weddings are being streamed but making an announcement should fix the problem for in person guests.
7.) Have Someone Bring Food To You
This is a biggie as well! When you come into the reception from taking pictures, often you go directly into a first dance and then food is served. While food is being served to everyone else people are going to be rushing up to your sweetheart table to give you hugs and best wishes. You might not get a break to go get food for a little while so ask your caterers to bring you and your spouse a plate or at least set a plate for the two of you aside.
8.) Plan to Take Pictures the Next Day
This tip works best for those brides who don’t have a bridal party and who are capable (or who can afford) a hair and make-up touch up. This takes away from the stress of the wedding because it allows for a seamless transition from the ceremony straight into the reception. You and your spouse can wake up semi-early the next morning and knock out your wedding photos in the early sunrise.
9.) Record the Speeches
Most couples assume that by having a videographer that the big highlights from the wedding will all be captured and in theory that is correct! The thing about videographers is they don’t often insert the entire best man/maid of honor speech it is condensed and edited to fit the span of the video. If you ever want to go back and listen to their words, ask a friend to record everyone’s speech for keepsakes.
10.) Have An Exit Strategy
Most venues require you to be out by a certain time, a time that might be well after you’re ready to go! Whether you choose to sneak out a few hours before everyone has to be out or you need a clear way to bring the party to an end, be sure to consider your options ahead of time. If your guests aren’t required to be out before 1am and you and your spouse intend to sneak out by 11pm make sure a team is in place to keep the party going for the next 1.5 hours. After that make sure everyone knows, “you don’t have to go home… but you have to get up out of here!”
