Thank you for checking out my Bridal Planning series. This is part three, you can check out Wedding Tips & Tricks and Bridesmaids for more tips and information. As I have said, I am not an expert on this nor am I a wedding planner. I do not have my tips in any particular order of importance.
Pack a sewing/emergency kit for the day! you never know what you may need, or what may happen! Things to include: white thread, a sewing needing, fabric glue, super glue, breathe mints, Ibuprofen, feminine products, Safety pens, lotion, shout wipes, nail file
Don't forget that you usually have to give your vendors their final payment on this day, so make sure you have that ready. Its not a bad idea to delegate this to someone trustworthy. You should also tip your vendors on this day. And have a place for them to sit at the reception.
If you don't want any photos posted before a certain time, you should definitely post this for your guest.
Don't wait until the day of to try to break in your new shoes!
Ceremony
When getting ready, put your jewelry on last
Have a Wedding Day timeline, and send to your entire bridal party (parents and groomsmen included)
You could have a special song playing quietly during your vows
Stand up straight!
If this is your second wedding, skip the blusher veil (the veil that covers your face).
You can still do elegant on a budget! However, you should defiantly keeps the style as close to you and your future husband's style. Example, don't go full on country wedding if you are both city people. Don't go all fancy if you are both jeans and tee shirts kind of people.
Keep in mind your decorations, if you tell your guests that your wedding is casual, keep the décor casual.
For outdoor weddings; provide your guests with shade,
hand fans, or in cooler months; maybe outdoor heaters.
Some do
unity candles, or
unity sand. Others
Reserve seats for those who have passed.
Its not a bad idea to have travel tissues handy for your guests.
Carry your bouquet low at the waist, not up high at the chest.
Have your parents and/or the groom's parents greet guests arriving at your ceremony site. As a hospitable gesture that sets the right tone.
Reception
Create a "Don Not Play" List. A list of all the songs you don't want played at your reception. And give to the DJ.
Bustle your dress AFTER your first dance. or even after you dance with your father.
A Change for the bouquet toss, give your bouquet to the couple who has been married the longest
Take one flower or a mini bouquet for a kids toss.
You don't have to use your bouquet, you could put together one with fake flowers for the toss/giveaway
If you have young children at your reception, have something to keep them entertained as well. Such as cute placemats, coloring books or an activity table. Even a bounce house, if you are doing outdoor wedding/reception.
A Cute idea for your flower girl is to have your grandmas or great grandmas do the honors.
Dance with your new Father-in-law. And have the groom dance with your mom at the same time.
At the reception, include things your new husband likes too. Like at my son's wedding instead of a guest book, they had a baseball plate (Homeplate) for all the guest to sign since he is so into baseball.
Make sure you and hubby talk to the DJ about how you want things to go (What order)
When choosing your reception venue, consider the food. Do they Cater? Is outside Catering allowed?
Think about the time of year when choosing your venue and décor. Are you planning to be outside, in the south, in the beginning of Aug? that is a little hot so make accommodations for such.
Photo ideas:
Take a photo from behind the bride as she is about to walk down the isle, to capture all the guest's faces turned to look at her
Don't wear a bra the day of , it could leave marks on your shoulders and back and they will be visible in your pictures.
Take the First Kiss photo with the guests in the background not the Pastor.
I like the idea of a photo with the Bride's shoes, flowers and ring.
Tell your photographer what moments you’d like captured (the reception, father-daughter dance, etc);
Anything you think is important to have in the wedding photos, as well as things to exclude.
Don't forget to have fun, yes this is a special day and you want everything perfect but relax and enjoy yourself.
Thank you for reading this, I hope you are enjoying this group of posts. I hope that I have been able to help at least one person. Please comment, if you have anything to add! I love to hear from my readers.
This post is not by a professional, this is just from my experience and as a bridal consultant. This post does contain affiliate links.
