Wedding day nerves are completely normal! Afterall, this is probably the biggest party you’ll ever plan, and you’ve probably spent months, maybe even years, perfecting the details. Naturaly you want everything to run smoothly, so you can sit back and relax, but even the best-laid plans can go awry.
However, there are things you can do to limit unexpected incidents, especially as there’s a tried and tested template for you to follow – not to mention advice from the couples who have gone before you. So here, we’ve rounded up the top 20 wedding day tips for you to follow to ensure your big day runs smoothly from morning right through to reception.
Top Wedding Day Tips
1. Hydrate as soon as you open your eyes, better yet have a drink with electrolytes.
2. Didn’t manage to get a good night’s sleep? A cold shower will wake you up more that a warm one.
3. Don’t forget to eat breakfast. Eating protein and complex carbs like eggs with a cup of rolled oats will help avoid sugar crashes later on when you hit the bubbles and canapes.
4. Speaking of bubbles – pop those in the fridge to chill along with any beers for the wedding party.
5. Have a small ice pack or chilled jade roller in the fridge to depuff under your eyes.
6. Don’t use under eye masks, eye masks or new beauty products on the morning of your wedding if you haven’t tested them out before.
7. Wear button down PJs or a robe to avoid messing your hair and makeup before getting dressed.
8. Don’t wear a bra, watch or socks to avoid marks on exposed areas of skin.
9. Get your makeup done first. You don’t want to run out of time doing yours if there are other people to be done too. Your makeup artist can come back and top you up – remember your makeup is meant to last all day!
10. Assign a dresser – someone who knows how your dress is supposed to tie up or how to do your tie or bowtie, so it looks smart.
11. Ask your bridesmaid to use white gloves when tying up your dress to avoid stains like makeup. Remember, even the cleanest hands can transfer perspiration. This goes for white dress shirts too!
12. If you’re having trouble walking in your tight or large wedding dress, or walking awkwardly – “kick out” when you walk to push the fabric out and away from your feet.
13. Grooms, remove your phone or wallet in from your pockets during the ceremony and photos. Give them to your best man if you want to have them close.
14. Always have a second spare white shirt for the photos – not only for spillages but makeup or lipstick transfer from well-wishers.
15. If you don’t have a wedding planner, assign a point of contact person to answer any questions from suppliers, give directions, and to field any interuptions at the door as you’re getting ready.
16. Have your payments for suppliers ready in envelopes and assign them to a member of your wedding party to pay. This includes tips for venue staff, etc.
17. Leave enough time for travel (and add buffer time): an extra 20 minutes for travel each way, and try to be ready at least one hour before the ceremony
18. You will cry during the ceremony. Ask someone in the wedding party to be on hand with Q-tips to quickly and precisely tidy up the under eye area before photos.
19. Ask someone in your wedding party to carry snacks and remind you to eat them. You’ll be surprised at how little of the canapes you’ll get to eat with photos and mingling.
20. No matter how much you are running behind time, spend 15 minutes alone with your new spouse to toast to each other. This will be one of your most special memories of the day.
Check out our Wedding Morning Checklist for Brides as well as these 4 Sample Wedding Day Timelines. Hit follow on Instagram for more great wedding day tips!