I've been lucky to work with many brides on their wedding days. Guess what? None of my brides have been stressed (or at least they didn't show it). I think that is because all of my brides feel well prepared.
Here are 15 tips to ensure your wedding day is as stress-free as possible.
1. Break in your wedding shoes!
Allowing yourself adequate time to get used to the feel of the shoes and for your shoes to adjust to your feet is crucial. I know it seems a bit silly but believe me, you'll want to be somewhat comfortable in the shoes you are going to be wearing all day.
2. Don't forget your marriage license
Your officiant will need the license to announce you are a legally married couple officially. Your license is a piece of paper you don't want to forget!
3. Always allow extra time for makeup & hair
It's always better to start your makeup and hair earlier than you think. I always give my brides at least 1/2 hour to an hour of extra time during their wedding day. You never know about traffic, weather, etc. Running late will impact the rest of your day, so it's worth allowing extra time if possible.
3. Make time to be alone with your spouse
Make sure you take time to be with your spouse, just the two of you. Whether that means sneaking away for a few moments or scheduling a 1/2 hour to refresh yourselves, make the time.
4. Take time to enjoy the food
If I could go back in time to my two receptions (yes, I had two!), one thing I would do differently is taking the time not just to eat the food but savor it. I have many beautiful photographs of the food to look back on the beautiful cakes, appetizers, mains, and more. However, I can't remember eating a thing.
5. Bring comfortable shoes to dance in
If you have a dance floor, I highly recommend bringing a change of shoes. Kick those Jimmy Choo's to the side, placing them very carefully in a box for safekeeping. Afterward, you can slip on a pair of flats and dance. You do NOT want to be dancing in stilettos all evening.
6. Pack an emergency 'just in case' kit
Some items I would keep on hand for the wedding day are; bobby pins, Tide pen, pain-reliever, hairspray (different holds), lipstick, powder, and blush for touch-ups. Lint roller, first-aid and sewing kits, sunscreen, extension cords, cash, breath mints, tissues, deodorant, perfume, and tweezers.
7. Don't leave things to the day before or week of the wedding
Take time in the weeks before your wedding to check-in and pay your vendors. Keep family members, attendants, and friends attending the nuptials aware of any last-minute changes or details.
8. Don't worry about the weather
Rain on a wedding day means good luck! Make a plan for different weather conditions, and then let it be. The weather will be what it will be, and no worrying about it will change that. As long as there are both indoor and outdoor options on your wedding day, everything will run as smoothly as possible.
9. Don't try to schedule too many things on your wedding day
The more you try to squeeze in on your wedding day, the higher the potential to be delayed or run late. Those jam-packed schedules, long journeys by car, or different ceremony locations tend to cause more stress. Having everything happen in one venue location or nearby will leave you feeling the most stress-free.
10. Make a checklist
Are you a planner like I am? Making lists brings me joy and calm. I especially love when I can cross something off my list! I recommend making a checklist of everything you have to do leading up to your special day. That way, you can check off each thing as you complete it, and you won't feel overwhelmed.
11. Give someone your phone
Please give your phone to your maid of honor. On your wedding day, you should be present every single minute. Allow someone else to handle any last-minute texts. Passing along your phone also allows your maid of honor to use your mobile phone to capture little moments throughout the day.
12. Hire a wedding planner
If you can't afford a wedding planner, at least hire a wedding coordinator for the day of your ceremony. Yes, it may feel like a splurge, but hiring a wedding planner is a luxury that I promise you won't regret. The benefits of hiring a wedding planner are exponential; they will guide you through the wedding planning process from start to finish. Your wedding planner will help you coordinate your team of vendors, be a point of contact for friends and family, and field questions for you so you can fully relax and enjoy your wedding day. They'll draw your attention to things that are easy to overlook and help you prepare emotionally and mentally. How? They've done this before, MANY times.
They will alleviate stress and be there to problem-solve any issues you may have on your special day.
13. Hire a professional makeup artist and hairstylist
Yes, I am a bit biased because I am a makeup artist. However, having your hair and makeup done professionally relieves stress from your wedding day. Please leave it to the professional to ensure that you will look beautiful in person and photos and videos. I highly recommend taking the time to have a bridal trial done before the wedding to get a better picture of what you will look like on the day. The trial also allows the artist and stylist to see the type of bridal makeup and hairstyle you want. The trial is the time to change anything as far as your look is concerned. The makeup artist and hairstylist are the first vendors you will see on your special day, so make sure they are someone you like.
14. Breathe
Take time to sit with the magnitude and excitement that this is YOUR day. Take it all in; every emotion, smell, and sight. You will want to remember this day.
Above all else, remember that the most important thing on your wedding day is to marry the person you love; everything else is extra.
15. Focus on the people that are most important to you.
Focus on the people and the moments that are the most important to you. Things out of your control may happen. However, prepare to let the less important things slide; they don't need to affect your wedding day. The most important thing is that you are married to the one you love.
I hope you've found these tips on how to have a stress-free wedding day helpful. Are you looking for a makeup artist who provides a stress-free experience? I'd love to chat with you! Just click inquire, and fill out the contact form.
I wish you a wedding day free of stress!
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