"I guarantee that you’ve thought about the colour of your bridesmaids’ dresses and the flowers in your bouquet.  You’ve likely tasted the food and thought about what kind of wine you want to stock at the bar.  However, there are likely some things that haven’t crossed your mind (because let’s be honest….the wedding tips in this article AREN’T sexy) that you should think about before the big day comes. 

As wedding planners, we’ve pretty much seen it all. While we encourage our couples to think about ALL the details, it really comes down to us on the day to solve the problems.  That’s our job, and we do it with pleasure.  If you don’t have the luxury of a planner, or even if you do, read on for some things to consider that you might otherwise not have thought of.  With a little bit of pre-planning and forethought, you can ensure that your wedding day is more enjoyable and fun for both you and your guests." - Expert Tip by: Amy from Unmistakably You

Wedding Tips #1: Consider the temperature and your attireWedding Tips #1: Consider the temperature and your attire

If you’re getting married in July and wearing a heavy gown, you’re going to be hot.  Likewise, if you’re taking photos outside in February, you’re going to be cold.  A little pre-planning goes a long way here.  If you’re getting married in a hot month, provide each of your bridesmaids with atomizers of mineral water for a quick cooling spritz.  (A spray on the legs under the dress can help too!). 

You may want to hide a fan under your head table (make sure you have floor-length linens!) and hike up your dress a bit during dinner.  Pack a small battery-operated fan that you can aim at your face between photos.  Cold compresses on the back of your neck work wonders too - pack a cooler bag for your photo session that has half-frozen bottles of water and some ice packs.  And chat with your photographer to find shady spots to take those photos.  If you’re going to be outside in the cold, consider a pair of leggings under your dress (nobody will see them!) and ensure that you have a warm coat or wrap that’s photo-worthy.

Wedding Tips #2:Wedding Tips #2: Think about your family photosThink about your family photos

Usually extended family photos happen after the ceremony, when everyone is already there and ‘easy’ to wrangle.  Your photographer will likely ask you for a list of family groupings well in advance.  When you create that list, try to start with the biggest group and work down to the smallest. So that as soon as you’re done with Uncle Bob and the cousins, they can hit the bar.  One exception to that rule is to start with anyone who has mobility issues or anyone very young.

Create your list using people’s proper names, not ‘Uncles’ or ‘Cousins’ so that the photographer can yell out names as they’re assembling the next group.  You might also want to assign a family member to assemble the groups. Since they know what Uncle Bob looks like.  Finally, make sure that you actually communicate with extended family prior to the wedding day and ask them to stay after the ceremony for those photos.  Otherwise, you’ll have to send someone looking for Uncle Bob, because he took off right away and is already two drinks in at the bar!

Wedding Tips #3:Wedding Tips #3: Hydrate!Hydrate!

Unless you have a planner who is going to literally push a bottle of water into your hand at every available moment, plan to bring water for yourself and your wedding party.  Adequate hydration can prevent headaches, make you feel less fatigued, and counteract a potential post-wedding hangover.  Pack a cooler with lots of water. Ensure that you and your party take every opportunity to drink as much water as you can.  Having someone bring you food during cocktail hour isn’t a bad idea either.  :)

Wedding Tips #4: Identify good ‘break’ timesWedding Tips #4: Identify good ‘break’ times

Excuse me for a second while I sound like your mom and tell you to go to the bathroom.  I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous, but here’s the thing: EVERY SINGLE TIME we try to start a speech at a reception, there are two groomsmen, one bridesmaid, and one mom in the bathroom.  It really creates quite a delay when trying to keep your reception events running on time.  (And don’t even get me started on how to avoid starting speeches while mom’s in the washroom if you don’t have a planner there who knows that mom’s missing….)

Before your big day, think through the schedule and be mindful of when the appropriate times to visit the Ladies’ would be.  If you’re doing speeches between courses, go as soon as a course is served to you.  That way, you’ll be back in time to eat that course before the last table is served. You’ll be at the head table when it’s time to start speeches.  Communicate that with your head table and parents as well, so that they can also be in the room when it’s time to start a speech.  I know that when you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. But if it’s possible to plan this out a bit, it’ll help your entire event flow more smoothly. Avoiding awkward breaks for guests.

Wedding Tips #5:Wedding Tips #5: Allow time for dress bustlingAllow time for dress bustling

If you have a dress that has a long train, you’ll likely have a bustle put in. This will allow it to be shortened to one length so you don’t trip and people don’t step on it.  Depending on the style of dress and the kind of bustle, this could take anywhere from two to twenty minutes.  First, make sure that you take someone with you to your final fitting who can be shown how to bustle the dress. This person will be able to help on your day.  Second, allow some time for this to happen.  I’d generally recommend bustling your dress prior to entering the reception. If not then definitely before the first dance.

Wedding Tips #6:Wedding Tips #6: Practice your dance in A dressPractice your dance in A dress

While we’re on the topic of your dress, I’d definitely recommend practicing your first dance. Practice in a dress of some kind, and in your actual wedding shoes.  For obvious reasons, you likely can’t wear your actual dress, but try to recreate it as best you can.  If your dress is big and bulky, belt a comforter around your waist and practice in that.  Have a sleek and A-line dress, perhaps you have a long skirt you could use for a test.  If you can practice in a simulated dress beforehand, you’ll avoid the surprises of restricted movement that you might encounter on the dance floor.

Wedding Tips #7:Wedding Tips #7: Think about your seating arrangementThink about your seating arrangement

Creating a seating chart isn’t fun.  But it’s unavoidable (unless you’d like to invite chaos by letting guests sit where they want).  When you’re placing guests, be as considerate as you can about where in the room they’re placed.  Try to ensure that elderly guests aren’t near the DJ’s speakers. Ensure your MC is near the podium. Make sure that your vendors have a clear line of sight to the head table.  Your photographers will need to see you to capture the kisses that result from your kissing game. The planners need to be able to make eye contact if you need anything.  Your DJ is normally seated at his or her booth.

Wedding Tips #8:Wedding Tips #8: Give your bouquets some loveGive your bouquets some love

Ask your florist whether the bouquets are delivered in vases.  If they aren’t, you’ll likely want to purchase some to be set up at the venue. This way your bridesmaids can put their bouquets in them after the ceremony. This can also supplement the decor on the head table or the auxiliary tables.  It’s traditional for the maids to take their bouquets with them at the end of the night.

Keeping them in water as much as possible will ensure that they stay fresher (and can be enjoyed) for longer. If your florist provides vases, task one of your bridesmaids with remembering to actually bring them when you leave your getting ready location for the ceremony.  Especially if you’re preserving your bouquet, you’ll want to keep it as hydrated as possible.  Many floral preservation companies suggest that you trim the stems and put it in water as soon as you can after the ceremony.

Wedding Tips #9: Cleanup at the end of the nightWedding Tips #9: Cleanup at the end of the night

Well before your wedding day arrives, you’ll likely find that you start amassing stuff (usually in large quantities!).  When you’re prepping your decor, stationery, and other items to take to the venue, pack them in totes that are CLEARLY labeled. Bonus points if you take a photo of the way you’d like the contents set up.  One tote should contain everything for your welcome table from your guestbook, cardbox, etc.

One should have everything for your guest tables (placecards organized by table and in order of who sits beside whom). One should have all the photos for your family photo display, etc.  Label the boxes that things came in, and stash the empty boxes under the tables (if there’s table linen to hide them!) for easy cleanup at the end of the night.  It likely won’t be YOU cleaning up, so try to make it as easy as possible for whoever IS cleaning up to put things back in their proper place.

Again, I know that these nitty-gritty items are likely not what you’ve been fantasizing about since you were little and imagining your dream day, but my team and I see delays and disappointments again and again, when a bit of pre-planning could have eliminated, or at least minimized, the problem.  You deserve an incredible day, and you should be able to relax and enjoy the process, rather than having to solve problems and put out fires all day.  Plan to be proactive, and your day will be full of positive memories, not stress!

This wedding tips article can be seen in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine

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