You’re engaged! Yay! You’ve got your wedding ring, you’ve chosen the date, and now you and your partner sit down to plan your big day. There are many things to think about, which can be very difficult to keep track of. What are the things that you’ll regret not doing? Take action on? Things that might not be as important as people claim they are? I’ve been to a fair number of weddings as a guest and photographer, and I’ve got my
10 top suggestions to make your wedding incredible.
Hair
Make at least one appointment (you might require two!) for your professional hairstylist. It is important for your hairstyle on your wedding day to reflect three things: comfortable, nice with the dress you are wearing, and to look nice when it is swept out. This is perhaps the most important. You will be hugging, moving, and running, walking, or dancing while wearing this hairstyle.
It’s going to get loose and fall out, let you relax, and you’ll want to feel comfortable about it throughout the day! Speak to your hairdresser about this, and try it on by wearing it while grocery shopping or mowing the lawn. Throw a party with your best friend at home, or go out for drinks, or whatever you want to do, and ensure that it’s gorgeous from beginning to the end.
Family photos
Create an outline of family photos for your photographer and then run it by your family members prior to. Everyone should be aware of the specifics of the list, including the time, date, and exact location. The most important part of this strategy is to find someone else (NOT someone from your family) who can help the photographer get everyone at the correct time and keep the pictures moving along the list.
Consider the bridesmaids, or an acquaintance you trust! The person who will organize everyone, announce the next event, and assist in keeping things running smoothly! Family photographs can be difficult, especially when there is a time constraint, so this will make everyone feel a little more relaxed.
A fun entrance or exit
A lot of brides want to exit with a blast (like using sparklers!); however, they don’t always have a photographer waiting until midnight to capture those awesome pictures. Think about having an exciting entrance to be sure to get those memorable pictures! Also, you don’t have to make use of sparklers! You can make confetti using silly flowers, string rice, leaves, lanterns, streamers, balloons, bubbles, paper airplanes, and so many other ideas. It’s a fantastic method to begin the celebration at your reception and capture some unforgettable photos!
Schedule time
Time is important on the day of your wedding. It can be difficult to determine how long to allocate to certain things. In addition to working with your photographer in establishing your timeline, consider what’s important to you and your spouse.
What are you hoping to do on the day of your wedding? Do you want to spend a lot of hours with friends and loved ones? Set aside an hour to host an afternoon BBQ prior to or after the wedding ceremony! Do you prefer time just you and your newlywed partner? Plan 45 minutes for some coffee or a sandwich, take a stroll in the park to take pictures, or stop to enjoy a wine tasting with a nearby winery, whatever you think is enjoyable for you and your partner!
Another suggestion regarding timing and scheduling is to allow enough buffer time when traveling for a long time! The highways aren’t always clean, even on the most perfect of days, so if Google Maps claims it will take you 20 minutes to travel between A and B, plan 30 30-minute travel time. It’s better to stay ahead of the game rather than rushing to your limo/motorhome/party vehicle on your wedding day!
Snacks
Don’t forget to pack snacks for the day of your wedding! A lot of brides are too anxious or excited to eat breakfast in the morning, and by the time the ceremony or pictures are finished, it’s already two at the afternoon, and they’re hungry.
Also, you are hosting the bridal party, which might have begun drinking earlier, and is in dire need of something to drink. Make sure your vehicle is stocked with granola bars, cookies and sandwiches, nuts, fruit, donuts, and a water bottle. Whatever you’d like!
Photo LOCATIONS
What do you imagine your wedding pictures to look like? Are you swept by the wind, gazing at the ocean? You are romantic and playful in a huge field? Are you surrounded by large trees and patches of sunlight? There are a myriad of stunning locations throughout the Fraser Valley that can provide you with the perfect wedding photos! With your photographer, choose a spot (or two!) you’re passionate about.
Spend a weekend or two looking around parks with your partner, search for images on Google of weddings held in parks you love, and don’t be afraid of thinking beyond the usual! These wedding photos are the ones you need to keep in mind as the day draws to a close. So create them as you would like for them to be!
SHOES
Brides love wearing heels. The heels look stunning in pictures. You feel stunning wearing them. They add to an elegant or sophisticated style – but when you’re wearing them for long periods of time, your feet are likely to be so so and sore. Between events, pack along comfortable shoes! Consider flip-flops, sandals, Birkenstocks, Crocs, or your favorite booties, or whatever feels comfortable to you.
They can be worn when you walk through the park to take photographs and change the shoes as you’re getting ready to get photographed. Wear them at the standing reception following the ceremony! Wear them as you stroll around the reception hall, greeting guests and enjoying your meal. You’ll need something comfy to wear to the dance floor. There are countless occasions when you’ll need comfortable shoes!
Diner
I’ve heard about it from SO many BRIDES (and frankly, myself too!) that they aren’t able to sit down and enjoy their reception meal. Sometimes, they’re too nervous or stressed to eat, and at times, they aren’t hungry due to the adrenaline or alcohol that is in their system. Other times, they are constantly distracted by guests at dinner.
Whatever it is, many brides simply don’t get time to sit and take in the amazing dinner they’ve paid for! This is why I suggest you get your maid of honour or the most handsome man or BFF who’s holding keys to the getaway vehicle to take you over the line of buffets and then pack the entire tupperware to you and your spouse to eat at a later time!
Then she’ll put it in a nice and full container and then put it in your car (maybe you have a cooler to keep it cool) so that you, as well as your partner, are able to enjoy it later during your honeymoon! You might want to eat it around 3 AM as you arrive at your hotel, or perhaps you’ll enjoy it at lunch later in the day.
It doesn’t matter what time you’ll eat it, as you’ll still have time to savor the delicious meal. If you do get to enjoy an evening meal at the reception (go you!), it’s a lot of fun to have some more food to enjoy later.
The Emergency Kit You’ve probably heard of this kit previously,
But I’ve also witnessed it being repeated time and time! Keep a small, compact bag of emergency items. Think of things like Chapstick, Bobby Pins, Tide to go, deodorant, Band-Aids, lipstick for touch-ups, mints (get rid of that iced coffee/alcohol/granola bar breath before your reception begins), Advil or Tylenol, sunscreen, clear or double-sided tape, and the ever-important safety pin.
This is the stuff you need for your maid of honour to keep at all times! It’s possible that you don’t need all of it, but should someone come up to the other and pour a small drop of red wine on your gown, then you’ll surely be grateful you purchased and had Tide for stain removal inside your purse.
Keep hydrated by drinking the same amount of water as you drink alcohol or coffee.
There are a myriad of beverages to enjoy on wedding days, but alcohol, as well as coffee, can dehydrate you! It is possible to be tired (not the tiniest type either) in the event that you don’t drink just an amount of water on the day of your wedding. Make sure you have Gatorade (electrolytes for you!) or water bottles in your home throughout the day. In the morning, as you get ready, or have a few stocked in your limousine, keep some on your table in the hotel reception.
Two wine coolers are ideal, then drink a glass of water. Drink iced coffee and ensure that the next drink you take is water. If you’re hydrated, you’ll be feeling better and happier, more active and more present on the day of your wedding! You don’t want to be dizzy, lightheaded, have cramps, or even unwell on the day of your wedding. Drinking plenty of water is the best option to ensure this doesn’t happen (ESPECIALLY when you’re getting married during summertime).