Make Your Wedding Day Unforgettable: Tips And Tricks

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but with the right preparation, you can ensure your big day runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all. From creating a timeline to curating a seating chart, there are many things to consider when planning your wedding. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your special day:

- Create a detailed timeline for the day, including a schedule for hair and makeup, breakfast, and photos.

- Delegate tasks to your wedding party to ensure everything runs smoothly.

- Have a solid plan and consider working with a wedding planner to handle logistics.

- Limit distractions and designate someone to handle communication with guests.

- Schedule buffer time to pause, breathe, and soak in the moments throughout the day.

- Focus on your partner by exchanging notes or small gifts.

- Keep traditions meaningful and only include those that resonate with you.

- Greet and spend time with each guest, showing your appreciation for their presence.

- Provide a well-planned seating chart to encourage conversation and create a comfortable environment.

- Offer a signature cocktail and consider splurging on an open bar if your budget allows.

- Make your guests comfortable by providing items such as wraps, parasols, or flip-flops.

- Include interactive games and activities for guests to enjoy during the reception.

Plan a timeline for the morning of your wedding

Planning a timeline for the morning of your wedding is crucial to ensure the day goes smoothly. Here is a detailed plan for the morning of your wedding:

3-5 hours before the ceremony:

• Eat a nutritious breakfast. Opt for something high in protein and avoid sugar and caffeine.
• Stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle with you and limit alcohol consumption before the ceremony.
• Assign tasks to your wedding party: Ask someone to tidy the room for photos, another to handle deliveries, and a trusted wedding party member to manage supplier payments.
• Prepare your wedding outfit: Take it out of the garment bag and hang it up, including the veil if you're wearing one.
• Hang up your wedding outfit: Ensure it's hung high, out of the way, and unbustled if it's a skirt or dress.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Include items like stain remover, breath mints, tissues, hair spray, and a first aid kit.
• Plan your phone usage: Decide how long you'll be on your phone, and assign a bridesmaid to take photos if desired.

2-3 hours before the ceremony:

• Breakfast or lunch: Provide filling, nutritious options for your wedding party, such as sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, and veggie platters.
• Limit drinks: Avoid overdoing alcoholic drinks, and stick to water to stay hydrated.
• Check outlets: Ensure there are enough outlets for phones, hair tools, and steamers. Bring a power strip if needed.
• Delegate tasks: Ask friends to put together a playlist and handle food and beverage duties.
• Brief your wedding party: Give them a summary of the timeline and their responsibilities.

1-2 hours before the ceremony:

• Hair and makeup: Allow 60-90 minutes each for hair and makeup.
• Get dressed: Avoid wearing your wedding outfit while getting ready to prevent spills and stains. Opt for a robe or comfortable pajamas instead.
• Final touches: Put on your wedding jewellery, shoes, and any other accessories.

30 minutes before the ceremony:

• Arrive at the ceremony venue: Ensure you have your marriage registration form, wedding bands, and the officiant's fee envelope.
• Relax and enjoy: Take a moment to soak in the emotions and celebrate with your partner.

Remember to work with your wedding planner or photographer to fine-tune the timeline and account for any additional activities, such as a first look or photos with your wedding party.

Delegate tasks to your wedding party

The morning of your wedding can be a busy and overwhelming time, so it's a good idea to delegate smaller tasks to your wedding party or friends and family to ensure the morning runs smoothly. Here are some ideas for tasks you can delegate:

• Assign someone to be in charge of food and beverages for the wedding party. This includes breakfast or lunch options, and drinks such as mimosas or coffee. It's important to stay hydrated and nourished throughout the day, especially if it's a summer wedding or a wedding at elevation.
• Put someone in charge of keeping the room tidy for getting-ready photos.
• Ask a friend to put together a fun playlist.
• Delegate someone to be in charge of ice and coolers to keep drinks cool.
• Assign someone to be in charge of collecting or taking deliveries of any last-minute flowers, decor, or the wedding cake.
• Give a trusted wedding party member envelopes with cash to hand to suppliers on the day.
• Ask an organised friend to be at the ceremony early to ensure everything is in order.
• Give the wedding bands and the officiant's fee envelope to the best man or maid of honour to hold during the ceremony.
• Appoint someone to keep your signed marriage licence safe.
• Have a family member or attendant be the photographer's contact so they know who's who and can ensure key moments are captured.
• If you're paying suppliers a partial or full payment on the day, have each vendor's payment ready in a labelled envelope to avoid confusion.
• If tipping suppliers or waiting staff, have this cash ready in envelopes, too.
• Assign a family member or attendant to be the photographer's contact so they know who's who and can ensure key moments are captured.
• Delegate a friend to take care of your phone and any incoming messages or calls.
• Ask a friend to be in charge of your emergency kit, which should include items such as stain remover, breath mints, tweezers, tissues, hair spray, and a first aid kit.

Prepare an emergency kit

Preparing an emergency kit is a crucial part of wedding planning. It is a good idea to get this task out of the way as early as possible—about three months before the wedding. Assign a member of the wedding party to make sure the kit travels with you throughout the day. An emergency kit can help with minor aches and pains and major wardrobe malfunctions, ensuring that you are prepared for anything without the party having to stop. Here is a list of items that you should include in your wedding emergency kit:

• Fabric tape to fix a fallen hem
• The bride's colour nail polish
• Anti-dust white chalk to cover any dress stains
• Safety pins
• Stain-remover pens
• Band-aids
• Breath mints
• Tweezers
• Tissues
• Hair spray
• Fashion tape
• A cooling eye mask
• A first aid kit
• A small sewing kit
• Button-down shirts to wear while getting hair and makeup done
• Straws for drinking without ruining lipstick
• Something old, new, borrowed, and blue
• Peppermint oil for aching feet
• Extra lipstick in the chosen shade
• Cooling towels (in hot weather)
• Heel stoppers (for grass)

Limit distractions

Distractions can easily derail your wedding day and prevent you from being fully present. Here are some tips to limit distractions and make the most of your special day:

Put Your Phone Away

Designate someone else to handle communication and keep your phone off or put it away. The less you are preoccupied with your phone, the more you can be present and enjoy the day. Ask a bridesmaid or family member to take pictures and document the morning if you want it to be captured.

Avoid Overscheduling Your Morning

Don't try to cram all your prep into the morning of your wedding. Get your nails done the day before to save time, and if you want an actual haircut, go a few days in advance.

Delegate Tasks

You don't have to plan the ultimate pre-wedding party by yourself. Delegate smaller tasks to your friends and family members. Ask one friend to put together a fun playlist and another to handle setting up the food. Don't forget to assign someone to beverage duty! Give your wedding party a rundown of the timeline and their responsibilities the day before, so everyone is on the same page.

Stick to Your Routine

The morning of your wedding is not the time to experiment with new products. Stick to the skincare and makeup products you've been using leading up to your wedding to avoid any negative reactions.

Eat and Drink Sensibly

It's important to eat a decent breakfast on your wedding day – something high in protein, and avoid too much sugar and caffeine. Keep a water bottle handy and stay hydrated – try not to have too much champagne or alcohol before the ceremony. While it's fun to provide mimosas or beers for your crew, limit yourself to a couple to avoid a headache or an unwelcome buzz.

Create a Timeline

Work with your wedding planner or photographer to create a timeline for the morning. If you're having an afternoon or early evening wedding, you'll probably need to set your alarm for 7 am or earlier, allowing time for hair and makeup, breakfast, and pictures.

Create a seating chart

Creating a seating chart is an important part of planning your wedding day. It can be a daunting task, balancing the relationships and interests of your guests, but with some thoughtful planning, you can ensure your guests have a great time. Here are some tips to create a seating chart that will make your wedding day memorable:

Consider Your Venue's Floor Plan:

Think about the layout of your wedding venue. Will it be a traditional setup with round tables, or will there be long tables or a more unique arrangement? Understanding the space will help you visualise where to place your guests.

Group Guests Strategically:

The key to a successful seating arrangement is to group people with similar backgrounds and interests together. This will encourage conversation and create a comfortable atmosphere, even if guests haven't met before. Try to avoid placing guests with conflicting personalities or differing views next to each other to prevent any potential discomfort.

Head Table or No Head Table?

Decide whether you want a head table for the wedding party and where it will be located. If you opt for a head table, it is customary to seat the newlyweds in the centre, surrounded by the wedding party, including the maid of honour and best man. Alternatively, you may choose to sit with your partner at a sweetheart table, separate from the wedding party.

Consider Special Requests:

Be mindful of any special requests from your guests. For example, some guests may have mobility issues and would prefer to be seated closer to the entrance or amenities. Honouring these requests will make your guests feel valued and ensure their comfort throughout the event.

Design and Display:

Choose a seating chart design that complements your wedding theme and decor. There are many creative ways to display the seating chart, such as on a large mirror, a rustic wooden board, or even a elegant glass window pane. Ensure the chart is easy to read and placed in a prominent location so guests can find their tables without confusion.

Assigning Tables vs. Specific Seats:

You may choose to assign guests to specific tables and let them choose their own seats, or you can assign each guest to a particular seat. Assigning specific seats can be more work but may be preferable for larger weddings or if you have many guests who don't know each other.

Creating a seating chart is a delicate task, but it will ensure your guests feel welcomed and valued. It is a thoughtful way to make your wedding day memorable and enjoyable for everyone.

Frequently asked questions