Tips To Help Your Wedding Day Run More Smoothly
I am aware that you have carefully planned every detail of your wedding day throughout your engagement season. You're probably experiencing a range of emotions as your wedding draws closer, including happiness that the party is almost here and a tiny bit of anxiety that you might have overlooked something.
It is important to focus on the pure excitement that your wedding is finally coming up, but you need to make sure everything is ready.
So, here are my top tips to help your wedding day run smoothly!
6 Tips To Help Your Wedding Day Run Smoothly
Have all Details Ready for Your Photographer
Have a List of Group Shots Ready for Family Photos
Have Someone Help with Gathering Family For Group Shots
Have a Detailed Timeline and Share it With Your Suppliers
Give Yourself a Little Extra Time Per Section Just in Case
Plan 15-20 minutes to Spend With Your New Spouse
Have all Details Ready for Your Photographer
When I arrive at a wedding, I like to start by taking pictures of the details.
The first reason I like to take care of details as soon as I arrive is that they are all unattended as the bride has her hair and makeup done. The bride's jewellery is laid out, the dress is still hanging, and there are no feet in the shoes - this makes for the perfect opportunity to capture it all.
Engagement and Wedding Rings
The wedding rings are arguably the most significant details! Have your wedding ring and engagement rings set out.
Additionally, getting your rings cleaned a few days prior to the wedding will ensure that they shine and dazzle beautifully!
Wedding Dress
You spent a lot of time looking for the ideal dress, so, of course, you want it to be well-captured! Ensure that it is steamed, pressed, and prepared for your day and the photos.
Instead of using the plastic hanger that comes with it, a good idea is to get either a custom hanger or a plain-coloured hanger. This will look a lot nicer in the photos.
Wedding Stationery
I adore it when couples send me or lay out their invitation, envelopes, and inserts.
It is so much fun to recall the details of your invitation, such as the date, venue of the ceremony and even the colour theme.
Have a List of Group Shots Ready for Family Photos
If you want your wedding day to run smoothly, it is a good idea to have a list of group shots for your family photos, that you can pass on to your photographer.
As a wedding photographer, I love discussing different shot ideas with my couples’ and finalising them on their wedding day timeline, so when it comes to your wedding day, we know what is happening.
Know what shots you would appreciate the most and who you want to be included in these group shots too. Let them know and hand them the timeline!
Have Someone Help with Gathering Family For Group Shots
Whether it be your bridesmaid or another family member, assign a trusted person to assist you with the organisation of your day. You could appoint certain tasks to certain people, or if you have an on-the-day coordinator - even better!
If you have someone to help you gather the required family members for those group shots, you do not have to stress about it yourself and you can fully take in the moments of your day. Make sure the person who assists knows your family well to help your wedding day run smoothly.
Have a Detailed Timeline and Share it With Your Suppliers
Your wedding day timeline is essential to help your wedding day run smoothly.
You need to know exactly how your day will pan out, so you create your ideal wedding day and so your wedding suppliers can help create an ideal and smooth running day.
Include as many details as you can on your wedding day timeline, from the big moments and events like your ceremony and your entertainment to the small details like your group shots and food slots.
Add all contact details and little notes, so everyone is in the loop and everyone is contactable on the day.
Give Yourself a Little Extra Time Per Section Just in Case
It is super important to give yourself extra time per section of your day.
You could have a perfectly planned wedding day timeline, but this is a tip to help your wedding day run smoothly I can’t stress enough, as time goes quickly and things happen without planning it, so allowing for that extra time means you will not run behind schedule!
Plan 15-20 minutes to Spend With Your New Spouse
With all of your family and friends being present, you will be caught up in conversation with them all day as well as dancing the night away, and you will realise the day goes by and you did not really spend any intimate time with your new spouse.
It is so important to soak up all the emotions with your spouse, even if it is just for 15-20 minutes. This day is all about the two of you celebrating the rest of your lives together, so don’t forget about this!
Ensure to add this moment into your wedding day timeline, to help your day run smoothly, otherwise, you will not find the time or you will simply forget with everything going on.
Have You Booked Your Wedding Photographer?
My ultimate tip to help your wedding day run smoothly is to book all of your wedding suppliers well in advance, to avoid any disappointment! Choose your suppliers wisely, get to know them and ensure they can help create your vision.
I am a Suffolk and Cambridgeshire wedding photographer, who also covers other areas around the UK. I would love to chat!
