Once you’ve spent all that time planning the look, the feel and the style of your wedding, it makes sense that you want to enjoy the day, right?
Talk to pretty much any bride after her wedding and she’ll tell you, “It all went by so fast!”
Here are a few wedding insider tips that will help you relax and enjoy every moment.
SECRET # 1 – Allow lots of extra time in your wedding day.
Wherever you can, allow for extra time. Think it will take you an hour to get ready? Give yourself two.
Most brides forget to allow enough travel time. It takes longer than 5 minutes for your girls to pile into the limo; remember to allow time to arrange dresses, gather bouquets left in the church and take a quick bathroom break.
You can never have too much time on your wedding day. Those breaks and gaps will be a welcome chance for you to relax, breathe and take it all in.
SECRET #2 – Leave your mobile phone at home.
Be unreachable on your wedding day. Give your mobile phone to your mother or Maid of Honor and let them run interference for you.
Make sure they have a complete list of contacts, but don’t carry it on you. They don’t make wedding gowns with pockets for a reason.
You’re hired the best wedding suppliers and planned for everything. Now let everyone else take care of it so you can relax and enjoy.
Nobody’s going anywhere without you! You can let go and let everyone else take care of the details.
SECRET #3 – Take your photos before the ceremony.
I know it’s traditional to not see each other before the ceremony. But it also means you’ll have a very tight timeline between your ceremony and reception.
A tight schedule means you’ll be rushed, stressed and anxious.
Arrange for a romantic “first glimpse” before the ceremony with just the two of you. Your photographer can capture those private moments from a discrete distance.
Then you’ll have time for a relaxing, fun photo shoot in the location of your choice. And at the ceremony, that “first glimpse” will have a whole new and special quality with your friends and family watching.
If you can do it, take your photos before the ceremony. It will have a HUGE impact on making your day more relaxing and stress-free.
SECRET #4 – Visit the “important” tables first.
A lot of couples want to do the “right thing” and visit each table at their wedding reception. The problem is that visiting 10 – 20 tables can take a very long time!
Before you know it you only have 45 minutes until the end of the party and your wedding day is over.
Rather than visit every table starting with #1, jot down the tables where your relatives and older guests will be seated. These are the people who will throw a fit if you don’t say hello.
Visit those tables first and then skip the rest. Your friends will meet you at the bar or on the dance floor.
It’s your wedding day; use your time for having fun!
SECRET # 5 – Stop and “take a moment” throughout the day.
It’s really easy to get caught up in the rush of your wedding day. Before you know it, it’s last call.
Grab your partner throughout the day and night and steal a quiet moment. Look out at the party, look over at your guests and enjoy the moment. Remind yourselves that this is really happening.
One of our couples made a pact before the wedding. Whenever one of their special songs was played, they would stop what they were doing and meet on the dance floor.
These quiet moments will help you remember how amazing your wedding day was. Take them throughout the night to enjoy it even more.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed these insider tips! I’ve gathered them from my own experience, the advice of past brides and other wedding professionals.
Happy planning!
