Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day
For months, there’s an endless flow of planning that happens to ensure you have a wedding that will become one of the best days of your lives together. Stress is inevitable during the planning process (even if it’s just a small bit), but have no fear! It’s quite possible to avoid any stress on your actual wedding day.
As I head into my 14th wedding season, I’ve spent some time looking back at the variety of weddings we’ve been a part of over the years. Arturo and I have seen countless wildly successful and flawless celebrations, as well as a few that could have gone a little more smoothly for our couples. We’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) to keep wedding day stress at bay.
I’ve compiled a list of our top tips for creating a stress-free event. They’re attainable, actionable steps that you and your partner can do on or before your wedding day so your celebration is nothing short of magical!
Hire a Wedding Planner
Wedding planners are the angels of the wedding world. They bring your design vision to life. They put out fires that you won't ever have to know existed. They create day-of timelines. They do all the hard work so you can be a guest at your own wedding. We our love wedding planner friends because without a planner, some of these tasks fall on us, which means we can't focus 100% on what you actually hired us to do: photograph your day!
Click here to learn more about the benefits of working with a wedding planner or day-of coordinator!
Make a Timeline
Timelines are essential for a smooth wedding day! Make a timeline of the entire weekend, starting with the rehearsal dinner and/or welcome party, moving on to the day of your wedding, and ending with the farewell brunch. Timelines help guide not only you and your partner, but also everyone else who needs to be at a specific place at a specific time. Arturo and I create a custom wedding photography timeline for each of our couples, but if you’re unsure of how to create a wedding weekend timeline, consider working with a wedding planner or day-of coordinator.
Delegate Tasks
By the time your wedding day arrives, all of the planning will be finished. Now is your time to enjoy yourself! If there are any tiny, last-minute tasks that need to be taken care of, hand them off to someone you trust, like your wedding planner. Your wedding day will fly by, so you won’t want to spend a minute of it on any final planning tasks!
Plan for a First Look
First Looks are hands down our favorite part of a wedding day! It's one of the only times that day you two will be alone without family or friends pulling you in different directions. Take in these slow, quiet moments with your partner. A First Look is also essential if you want to maximize your time with your guests once the celebration starts!
Click here to learn more about how a First Look positively impacts your wedding day!
Surround Yourself with Your Favorite People
There’s a lot happening on your wedding day. Emotions are high and though all of the planning is done, chances are that your nerves might be on high alert as well. While you’re getting ready on the morning of your wedding, surround yourself with people who keep you calm and smiling.
Have a Rain Plan
Are you seeing a planning theme here? If any part of your wedding day will be taking place outside (especially the ceremony or reception), be sure to have a rain plan. When choosing your venue, check out the indoor space they offer in the event things need to be moved inside due to weather.
Enjoy Your Signature Cocktail
Once your ceremony is over, take a sip of your favorite or signature cocktail with your new spouse! At this point in the day, nerves have generally settled, so it’s time to cheers each other to a life filled with love and happiness!
Remember to Eat
Do not, I repeat, do not forget to give yourself some sustenance! I know this may seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many couples forget to eat on their wedding day. From start to finish, the day can be a long one, so you definitely won’t want to be hangry! Be sure to enjoy something in the morning or early afternoon, as well as at your cocktail hour and during dinner, too. Which brings me to my next point…
Let Your Guests Come to You (at the Reception)
If you opt for a First Look, then you can enjoy your cocktail hour AND mingle with guests! It's a win-win! During the reception, you'll actually be able to eat your dinner without having to feel like you need to stop by every table since you'll have made the rounds earlier during cocktail hour.
Dance, Dance, Dance
This one really doesn’t need much explanation. It’s a joyous and celebratory day, so be sure to get out on the dancefloor with your guests!
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
If your flowers aren’t the exact shade of blue you envisioned, it’s okay! Your guests will be none the wiser. At the end of the day, you’ll be married, and that’s what matters most.
Trust Your Wedding Vendors
Last, but certainly not least, trust your vendors! You've hired a wedding team because you love their work and you know they have years of experience in the event industry. We all work together because we want to execute a smooth and seamless wedding day for you!
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond. We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love.
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