The early hours of the morning of your wedding day can get hectic so it’s important to have a list of Dos & Don’ts to keep you organized. After all, you’ve probably been dreaming of this day for a long time, so it’s natural to feel a bit nervous.
While getting ready can be one of the best parts of the day, it can also be one of the most stressful if you let it! For instance, questions like what clothes should you wear, how should you behave in front of your guests, and what can you eat or drink to cope with the excitement, are all very normal. But if you follow our top tips, you’ll be guaranteed a smooth getting ready morning with your friends and family.
Keep reading below to find out what you should and shouldn’t do on the morning of your wedding!
1. Do Organize a Timeline
There are so many responsibilities to organize for the day of your wedding, from booking transport and ordering flowers, to picking up the rings, and much more. So having a timeline is fundamental to making sure that you have a smooth and stress-free morning on your wedding day.
The best way is to work backward from the time your ceremony starts. Note down everything you’ll need to do in the morning, including hair and makeup, photos, transport, first look, and any special moments with family or friends. Consider things such as whether you need to wash your hair in the morning, or if you have to give any of your vendors access to your venue. Make sure that each member of your bridal party has a copy of the timeline so that they know your expectations, and you’ll minimize questions.
2. Don’t Rush
One of the last things you want to worry about during your wedding morning is getting ready in a rush. Take your time getting dressed and having your hair and makeup done. It’s a special moment to feel pampered so take it all in! In order to avoid rushing, make sure that your timeline leaves plenty of time, with margin, for everything that needs to get done. Don’t over-schedule any parts and don’t try to fit in lots of different elements. Your wedding day is supposed to be a joyous occasion, so don’t let the morning rush ruin it!
3. Do Start Earlier Than You Think
Wake up early enough to allow yourself plenty of time to get ready. This doesn’t mean that you need to set your alarm for 5 am as you’ll only feel more tired when you wake up. But, it’s always useful to allow extra time and not underestimate. It’s better to have time to spare than no time left to look your best!
4. Don’t Forget to Scope Out The Room
This tip is for the days leading up to your wedding morning. Don’t forget to check the room or venue you and your bridal party will be getting ready in. It helps to see what you’ll need to be comfortable, such as plugs, space, and light. Also, how you’ll organize preparations, and who is stationed where.
5. Do Have An Early Night
Although the excitement of your special day might mean that you don’t get as much sleep as you hope to, make sure to set an early bedtime. Take some time to pamper yourself. Whether it’s reading a good book, taking a relaxing bath, having a massage, or tucking into bed with a hot chocolate and your favorite film. It’s important to make sure that you take a few moments to unwind before the chaos of the following day begins.
6. Don’t Forget To Eat
Start your day off with a good breakfast. This will give you the energy you need to get through the day. Or if you’re having an evening wedding, don’t forget to have lunch. Make sure to have something light so you don’t feel too full before putting on your dress. You’ll also want to have plenty of snacks for both you and your bridal party to pick at during the getting ready process. That includes water! It’s important to stay hydrated even if you’re having a winter wedding.
7. Do Delegate Tasks
Delegate tasks to your wedding party or family members. If someone offers to help with something, let them! This will help lighten your load and make the morning more enjoyable for everyone involved. You’ll need friends and family to help with checking on vendors, making sure everything is set up correctly, answering any guests’ questions, and more. Once you delegate people for certain tasks, make sure that vendors or guests have their number so they don’t have to bother you at all.
8. Don’t Overdo The Drinks
Most brides like to have a mimosa or two while they’re getting ready. It helps settle those nerves and it’s a fun moment with your closest friends and family. But be careful not to overdo it! You don’t want to have to miss out on your reception!
9. Do Play Your Favorite Music
While you’re getting ready, make sure you have home comforts around you. This will help to reduce any nervous feelings. This includes creating a playlist of your favorite songs. Ask your bridesmaids to suggest their favorites too! Include a mix of relaxing songs and upbeat songs to get you in the mood to celebrate.
10. Don’t Try New Beauty Products
The morning of your wedding is not the right time to be trialing new beauty and skincare products. Stick to what you know! If someone else is doing your makeup, do ensure that you’ve tried out their products in advance. You don’t want any allergic reactions spoiling your special day.
11. Do Hang Your Clothes
As soon as you arrive at your getting ready location, the first thing you need to do is hang your wedding outfit including your veil. Take it out of the garment bag and let it breathe. Make sure it’s positioned where no one will be walking close by. Another tip is to hang it high up, as this gives you a good view of any spots that need steaming.
12. Do Have A Moment To Yourself
It’s important to take a few minutes to relax and gather your thoughts before you walk down the aisle. Take a deep breath, drink some water, and remind yourself that you’re about to create a beautiful memory that will last a lifetime. Try to find a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations. Close your eyes and visualize yourself walking down the aisle, exchanging vows with your spouse, and dancing the night away.
13. Don’t Forget An Emergency Kit
Every bride hopes for the best-case scenario during their wedding morning. But accidents happen, so be prepared with an emergency kit. Think of nail chips, stains, stitching, headaches, hangovers, and beauty emergencies. Make sure that you’re ready for anything with fashion tape, hair spray, nail varnish, tissues, tweezers, a sewing kit, and even a first aid kit.
14. Do Stay Calm
Don’t worry if something goes wrong, everything will come together perfectly at the end. Be as flexible as possible! When it’s time to head to the ceremony, take a deep breath and relax. It might help to practice mindfulness and meditation with your inner circle, to make sure that everyone is feeling calm and ready for this special day. if you’re conscious about staying relaxed and letting all the wedding stress melt away, then it’ll make the rest of your day that much more enjoyable.
15. Don’t Rush Your Photos
One of the most common pieces of advice that new brides give is to not underestimate how long you’ll need for photos. You’ll need someone to get people to gather your loved ones for your pre-ceremony photos. Don’t forget to think about how much time you need to stagger photos if you don’t want to see your partner before your nuptials. Your photo time will also depend on the style of photography you’ve chosen, for example, editorial and elegant, or casual and spontaneous.
16. Do Be Present
You’re about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life – your wedding day! So it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning and forget to be present. But it’s important to take in the morning of your wedding just as much as your ceremony and reception. It’s the final time that it’ll be just you and your bridesmaids. There will be so many different things racing through your mind but this is YOUR day! So make sure you savor every moment of it!
By following these handy guidelines, you’ll ensure you can cherish the special moments during the morning of your wedding. For more wedding day advice and help with planning head over to WedBoard. You’ll find useful tips including The Perfect Wedding Day Timeline, How To Choose A Wedding Getting Ready Location, and What To Expect From Your Wedding Day Coordinator.
Featured image: Marcus Rice
