Pre-Wedding: The Art Of Capturing Love's Journey

The term pre-wedding refers to any event or activity that occurs before a wedding or in anticipation of a wedding. This can include pre-wedding parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and pre-wedding photo sessions. Pre-wedding photo sessions, also known as engagement sessions, are a great way for couples to get comfortable in front of the camera and get creative freedom for their save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, and other wedding stationery. These sessions can be simple and standard or adventurous and themed, depending on the couple's preferences and budget.

Pre-wedding photo sessions

During the pre-wedding photo session, the couple typically wears their wedding attire or something similar. This is especially common in Asian pre-wedding shoots, while Western couples usually opt for more casual outfits. The photo session can take place at a location that is meaningful to the couple, such as a spot where they often spend time together or where the proposal happened. Some couples even choose to have their photos taken at exotic locations or with outrageous outfits and props to make their wildest dreams come true.

In addition to the traditional couple portraits, pre-wedding photo sessions can also include solo shots of the bride and groom, capturing the small details of their outfits and accessories. Photographers might also suggest activities instead of poses to help the couple loosen up and be themselves in front of the camera.

Pre-wedding parties

Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are usually one of the first pre-wedding celebrations held in a couple's honour. They are a way to formally announce the impending marriage to loved ones. While the bride's parents traditionally host the engagement party, it may also be hosted by other relatives or friends. Some couples have two engagement parties—one for family and another for friends. It is considered proper etiquette to celebrate with family first. These parties usually take place one to three months after the engagement, and invitations should be sent at least a month before the event.

Bridal/Wedding Showers

Bridal showers are traditionally all-female celebrations to honour the bride. Guests bring gifts and enjoy food and games. Wedding showers, also known as couple's showers or Jack and Jill parties, are co-ed events where the groom and his family and friends attend. Wedding showers usually take place one to three months before the wedding. The host might choose a theme to guide the day's events, such as an around-the-world shower or a nautical theme. Games and activities are often included to keep guests entertained.

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are considered the bride or groom's "last chance" to let loose before marriage. These parties are a chance to bond with friends and take a break from wedding planning stress. They usually take place about one to four months before the wedding and can be a single night or a weekend trip. The best man and maid of honour traditionally head up the planning. The guest list typically includes the wedding party and other close friends or relatives of a similar age to the couple.

Bridesmaids Luncheon

The bridesmaids luncheon, also known as a bridal brunch, is a small gathering hosted by the bride to thank the women in her life who have helped with the wedding planning. It usually takes place a few days before the wedding and can be hosted by the bride's mother, in-laws, or other female relatives.

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is a gathering that allows the wedding party and families to get acquainted. It usually takes place the night before the wedding but can also be held two nights before to give everyone a chance to rest before the big day. The dinner is often less formal than the wedding reception and may include speeches in the couple's honour. The average cost of a rehearsal dinner is around $1,300.

Welcome Party

The welcome party is the final event before the wedding and serves as an opportunity for out-of-town guests to mingle. It can be as simple or extravagant as desired and is open to all wedding guests but does not require their attendance.

Bachelor/bachelorette parties

The term "pre-wedding" refers to any event occurring before or in anticipation of a wedding. Bachelor and bachelorette parties are a prime example of pre-wedding events, where the soon-to-be newlyweds celebrate their upcoming marriage surrounded by their closest friends.

Bachelor and bachelorette parties, also known as "bach parties", are a time-honoured tradition where the bride and groom-to-be celebrate their last days of unmarried life. These parties can take many forms, from separate wild nights out to more relaxed joint celebrations with friends of both sexes.

Joint Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Some couples choose to combine their bachelor and bachelorette parties, creating a co-ed celebration with their entire wedding party and future spouse. This option is especially appealing to couples with shared friends, as it ensures no one feels left out and provides an opportunity for both sides of the wedding party to mingle and create new friendships. Joint parties can also be more cost-effective, as expenses such as transportation and accommodation can be shared.

There are numerous ways to structure a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. Some couples opt for a fully integrated celebration, participating in activities such as:

• Themed dinner parties or backyard barbecues
• Renting a party bus or boat for a day trip
• Competitive game nights
• Sports and outdoor activities
• Attending a festival or amusement park
• Alcohol or food tastings

Others prefer a mix of separate and joint activities. For example, the groups may spend the day apart, with the bridesmaids and groomsmen each doing their own thing, and then come together for a big party in the evening.

Separate Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Of course, there is still the option for the bride and groom to celebrate separately. This allows for more specialised activities tailored to the preferences of the bride or groom and their friends. For instance, the groom's party may visit a strip club, while the bride's party could go for a spa day or a night of bar-hopping.

Whether joint or separate, the key to any bachelor or bachelorette party is being surrounded by the people you love and creating unforgettable memories before your wedding day.

Pre-wedding nerves

It is perfectly natural to experience nerves before your wedding. The event is likely to be life-changing and is performed in front of all your friends and family, so it's understandable to feel stressed.

The average wedding costs a significant amount of money, and with so much time, effort, planning and preparation going into the day, it can feel like all your focus is on this one event. Taking the next big step in your relationship can be daunting.

How to manage pre-wedding nerves

• Create a sustainable, stress-busting, self-care routine. Identify your own needs and focus on what is causing your anxiety.
• Try hypnotherapy to boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
• Practise mindfulness and meditation to help you feel more grounded and present.
• Work with a coach to help you manage anxiety and identify triggers.
• Eat nutritious foods to fuel your body and reduce anxiety.
• Try Reiki, a Japanese form of energy healing, to feel more relaxed and soothed.
• Speak with a counsellor to help you explore your worries in a safe, non-judgemental space.
• Exercise to burn off adrenaline and calm nerves.
• Delegate tasks to others to help you feel more in control.
• Take herbal remedies to calm nerves.
• Spend time with your pet or go for a walk to help you relax and put things into perspective.
• Listen to music or read a book to take your mind off things.
• Eat a light meal to settle nerves and replace energy.
• Have a small drink to calm your nerves (in moderation!).

Pre-wedding events

Engagement Parties

Engagement parties are usually one of the first pre-wedding celebrations held in a couple's honour. They are often hosted by one of the families, but can also be organised by other relatives or friends. Some couples have two engagement parties—one for family and another for friends. These parties are typically held at the host's home, a favourite restaurant, or a special venue. During the party, the couple will officially announce their upcoming marriage to their relatives and friends.

Bridal Showers

Bridal showers are traditionally all-female celebrations to honour the bride. Guests enjoy a meal, play games, and bring gifts for the bride. However, some couples opt for a couple's shower, or a "Jack and Jill" party, where both spouses-to-be are feted by guests of all genders. These showers are usually hosted by members of the wedding party, parents, or other friends and relatives. They often take place between a few weeks and three months before the wedding, during the day, over brunch or lunch.

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties

Bachelor and bachelorette parties are considered the bride and groom's "last chance" to let loose before marriage. These parties are a chance for the couple to bond with their friends and take a break from wedding planning stress. The parties are typically wild nights out, but they can also reflect the guest of honour's personality and style, ranging from relaxing spa visits to cooking classes or outdoor adventures. The bachelorette party is usually planned by the maid of honour, while the best man traditionally heads up the planning for the bachelor party. These parties usually take place about a month or two before the wedding and can be a single night or a weekend trip.

Bridesmaids' Luncheon

A bridesmaids' luncheon is an intimate gathering for members of the bridal party. It is a way for the bride to thank her bridesmaids for their help and to give them gifts. The bride typically hosts this event and invites all of the bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers of the bride and/or groom, and other close female relatives. The luncheon usually takes place the day before the wedding, after the bridal party has arrived and before the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is a pre-wedding party held immediately after the wedding rehearsal. It is a chance for families to spend time together in a relaxed setting and for the couple to thank the wedding party and parents with gifts. The dinner is usually hosted by the groom's family, but it can also be organised by the couple or the bride's family. The guest list may include immediate family, wedding party members, and their significant others, or it can be expanded to include close friends, out-of-town guests, or even the entire guest list. The rehearsal dinner typically takes place the night before the wedding, but some couples choose to have it two nights before to give everyone a chance to rest before the big day.

Frequently asked questions