2. Feel your best
Do one thing that you know will calm you in the morning, whether that’s indulging in your favorite hobby for 10 minutes or meditating.
Every bride needs at least a little assistance getting dressed, so don’t be afraid to designate some helpers who can be on standby with a sewing kit, stain remover, and steamer. You can also choose to enjoy a familiar hobby or do some journaling if that feels right to you.
If you and your partner choose to see each other on the morning-of, consider visualizing or praying on how you would like the wedding to go. Getting on the same page now will help you enjoy the experience more in the moment.
3. Check your mindset
Swap worrying about if people are having a good time with making sure you are having a good time. Remind yourself that your opinion is the only one that matters. If you do want to help guests have a great time, think less about what you want them to do (i.e. get on the dance floor, stop being awkward) and more about how you want to make them feel (excited, relaxed, etc.).
4. Have a line mover
Stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger walk the red carpet with a line mover who taps them on the shoulder when they’ve talked with someone for too long. Get one of your own if you’re worried about saying hello to all your guests at the reception. Having someone else cut you off makes them the bad guy for moving you along.
5. Strategize the photography
Before your big day, make sure you and your photographer have a plan about how things are going to go. The best wedding day photography order of events is:
The reveal/first look between the couple
Group pictures for the wedding party
Big group pictures and your newlywed portraits
6. Set aside meals
Assign someone to fix you a plate and store it in the refrigerator until it’s time to leave. Or, ask the caterer to set aside a midnight snack and some champagne for you and your new spouse back at the bridal suite. And don’t forget to grab some water, too! Staying hydrated on your big day is super important.
7. Give clear instructions
Send an email (or have your planner do it) to your bridal party and parents the night before to remind them where they have to be and when they’re expected to arrive. Add 10 to 15 minutes of buffer time for those who are habitually late. Schedule the email to send in advance using Gmail’s “Send Later” feature so you can set it and forget it. Just make sure it’s updated with any and all changes that are made leading up to the big day!
8. Trust your team
Remember that if anything goes wrong, you have lots of people to help sort it out for you. Assign two heads of damage control from your bridal party to clear up last-minute issues or family conflicts. And be honest with your coordinator if you anticipate any problems, large or small.
9. Assign tasks
These are some easily-forgotten wedding day tasks:
Wrapping up leftovers
Taking home or store gifts
Checking out with the venue manager
Tipping vendors
Checking in on parents
Having someone check everyone into the hotel
If you have a planner or coordinator, most, if not all, of these details will be discussed well ahead of time. But still, it’s something to make note of ahead of time just to make sure nothing falls through the cracks!
10. Give a toast
Even if you don’t feel like it now, you may feel moved to give a quick toast on the day of, so have an idea of what you might want to say. First, thank your parents, family, and friends for attending. Then, express gratitude for the caterers, coordinators, and vendors who all put it together. Finally, thank your partner for being themselves and making your future that much brighter.
11. Hang out together
During the reception, don’t just play host. Actually enjoy each other! Do your rounds of greeting people for the first hour then commit yourselves to sneaking away for a little to catch your breath. After, remember to sit down and take it all in together.
12. Prepare your shoes
Break all your wedding day shoes in ahead of time. Bring comfortable backups and hydrocolloid bandages just in case.
13. Thank your parents
If they paid or even if they didn’t, thanking your parents will help you show gratitude and/or simply cover your bases.
14. Capture the speeches
Have your videographer or an assigned person capture it all on video. Most new iPhones shoot in 4k, so if a bridal party member is doing it, make sure they adjust their setting to that or another high-quality version.
15. Plan an after-party
Even if you don’t participate, have a bar or other venue picked out nearby where guests can go if they want to hang out after the reception venue closes. Choose one that is open the longest, is easy to get to, and involves little to no extra driving, if possible.
16. Include quiet moments
Build some quiet moments into your day-of schedule so you can take a breath if you need one. Five minutes in the limo, green room, or dressing room will do you wonders.
17. Bring a diffuser
Use it when getting ready to achieve your ideal state. Use lavender for calm and eucalyptus or mint for energy.
18. Prep a getting-ready playlist
Have something to listen to as you get ready. Try lo-fi hip hop to calm nerves and chill out or sound healing playlists to align your energy centers.
19. Have point people
They’ll answer questions, give directions, and be the door person as you’re getting ready.
20. Add buffer time
Leave an extra 20 minutes for travel each way, be ready at least one hour before the ceremony, and leave a couple of hours the night before to take care of any last-minute preparations.
21. Pack seasonal items
Check your weather forecast the week of and the night before. Here are some common items you may need:
Umbrella
Bug spray
Spray-on sunscreen
Sunglasses
Seasick tablets if going on a boat
Extra hat, scarf, and pair of gloves
Any allergy meds or epi-pens you’d like to have
22. Practice mindfulness
Even if you’ve never done it before, practicing mindfulness even for five minutes will help prepare your mind for being in front of people. Meditate, do morning yoga, or try some breathwork.
23. Get ice packs
A little wedding day beauty hack: Have a small ice pack or chilled jade roller on deck to depuff your eyes before and after the ceremony. Ice packs are easy to use over sealed makeup as long as you are mindful to not get drips of water from them.
24. Eat well
Care for your blood sugar by eating protein and complex carbs like eggs with a cup of rolled oats. Skip the bridal suite donuts to avoid the emotional repercussions of a big crash later on.
25. Wear button-downs
Put this one for when your hair is getting done so you don’t have to pull it over your head and ruin the look later.
26. Share expectations
Tell or remind your bridal party what kind of reception you’d ideally like to have: Tame and sophisticated or lively with lots of dancing. Bridal parties often set the tone for these things, so letting them know will help make it come true.
27. Make emergency kits
A classic wedding day emergency kit should have:
Feminine products
Deodorant
Breath mist
Floss
Aspirin
Stomach calmers/antacids
First aid kit
Sewing kit
28. Be cordial
Even if there is some behind-the-scenes conflict, save face by setting it aside and treating the person in question to your best customer service mask. Today of all days is not the one to make that big speech you’ve been meaning to say to their face all these years.
29. Let it go
Like Elsa said, let it go. You’ve done the prep work, now you can enjoy the benefits. Relax and enjoy by focusing on one main goal: Having a good time. Do whatever you want in the moment (within reason, of course) and remember, it’s your party.
30. Take micro naps
A micro nap is a moment or two of peace where you can close your eyes, clear your mind, and breathe deeply. Take advantage of those minutes you spend traveling between venues or transitioning between activities to rest a little. Depending on how much time you have and if you plan on actually sleeping, don’t forget to set an alarm!
31. Remember your vitamins and medications
Take whatever you usually take, including all vitamins, supplements, and medications. If you don’t usually take vitamins, don’t try anything new in case you experience side effects or an allergic reaction. And, as always, consult with your physician beforehand. Plus, don’t forget to check which of your products have adverse effects to sunlight or alcohol if those play a part in your big day.
32. Focus on skincare
Follow your normal routine. It will help anchor you emotionally but also lay a good foundation for any makeup or, at the very least, help you look more hydrated and therefore awake in your wedding photos.
Plan the perfect celebration with these wedding day tips!
Now you know how to take great care of yourself and your partner on your wedding day! Once you have these tips nailed down, plan another part of your wedding day with these unique wedding exit ideas you and your bridal party can use.
