Tips for a Stress-free Wedding Day

Congratulations! You’ve decided to embark on a life-long journey with your best friend! But, before you say “I do”, there is a lot of planning to do in preparation for your big day.  Even though most wedding days seem to travel at the speed of light, I’m happy to say that it is possible to have a relaxed, stress-free wedding day!

So, what is the most important thing you can do?

Have a Solid Wedding Day Timeline

Having a well thought out timeline is what will have the most impact on your wedding day. For many couples, drafting a timeline can be an overwhelming process, so I am always happy to help my couples put one together. In fact, whenever possible, I suggest teaming up with your photographer when thinking about your timeline.

Photographers have a lot of insight the general flow of the day, and will be able to offer suggestions on how to time things, based on lighting conditions and other important factors.

Here are some of the main things you will need, when considering your timeline…

1. Where will you be getting ready?
2. What time will you be allowed on the venue property?
3. Travel time between locations (if applicable)
4. Will you have a first look?
5. Ceremony start and end time
6. Cocktail hour start time
7. Reception introduction time

I suggest gathering these main items and using them as a starting point. Once you have this information, your photographer can look at all of these factors and make suggestions on when she will need to arrive, when and where will be the best time to take family pictures, bridal party pictures and of course, the images of you and your new spouse! By working with, and receiving input from, your photographer, you can better ensure that you will have enough time to take the pictures that you are looking for.

Pad Your Timeline

I know that I just covered the timeline above, but this is something that I feel is important enough to give it its own slice of the post. Whenever you are participating in an event where lots of people are involved- things are likely going to run behind. Perhaps the flowers don’t arrive on time, or maybe Aunt Betty gets caught in traffic. I recently photographed a wedding where the limo never arrived at the hotel to bring the bride and her bridesmaids to the ceremony. With so many hands in the pot, there are bound to be delays and other unexpected hiccups. And, since there is no way of knowing what those hiccups will be, I have found it is beneficial to pad your timeline.

By allowing for additional time, you will ensure that when something happens, your photographer and other vendors will be able to adjust things accordingly. The best way to pad the timeline is to add additional time to the main portions of your day. If it takes ten minutes to drive from the hotel to the reception, I suggest allowing for 20. If your hair dresser says that hair and make-up will take 30 minutes per girl, allow for 40. By planning ahead for things to run behind, you will be much less likely to be stressed if they do run behind on your wedding day. And, if everything goes on time as planned, you’ll have the additional time to hang with your bridal party or mingle with guests!

Connect Your Vendors Prior to Your Wedding Day

I always ask my clients to supply me with a list of the other vendors they will be using on their wedding day. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know several of the vendors fairly well, and it’s nice knowing when you will be working with someone that you know is top notch. By suppling all of your vendors with a list of your other vendors, you can be sure that everyone will be on the same page. If, a few days before your wedding, there is a major change in the catering timeline, your coordinator will be able to quickly touch base with your photographer DJ and videographer, so that they can plan ahead.

Have a Plan for Family Formals 

I always ask that my couples supply me with a list of family groupings that they would like taken during the formals portion of the day. By providing a list, your photographer will not be left trying to figure out who is who and guessing to make sure that everyone important is photographed. Planning ahead will also give your photographer the opportunity to let you know how long your list is likely to take. If you supply a list that will take 50 minutes, but you have only allowed for 30 minutes in your timeline, you then will know where you need to make adjustments.

Also, be sure to let your family members know who will be in pictures and what time they need to be ready. I suggest telling all family members that they need to be dressed and ready, at least fifteen minutes sooner than we really need. There is nothing more frustrating for a couple than having one person missing from a twenty-person group photo or learning that Uncle Joe left for the reception because he didn’t know he was to be in photos.

Having to round family up for photos, after the ceremony, is one of the biggest time-stealers of the day and often causes unnecessary stress! Plan ahead who will be in photos and be sure to let them know where you need them and when.

Plan Out Transportation Ahead of Time & Have a Back-up Plan

A few weeks ago, I was at a wedding where the Bride’s mother asked her if she needed a ride to the church. Just like when the limo never arrived for one of my brides, this is an area where it is easy for time to be lost. Plan ahead in terms of transportation and be sure that there is at least one back-up option, just in case something falls through.

Assign Tasks to Your Bridal Party

Are the flowers late? Do you still have to pay the DJ? You should not have to worry about these things on your wedding day! This is why you have a bridal party, right? In the last few days, before your wedding, assign tasks to your bridal party. Perhaps the Maid of Honor is in charge of tipping/paying vendors, while your sister is in charge of making sure the flowers arrive on time. One bridesmaid can be in charge of wrangling family members for formals and another can make sure that she has all of the personal items you might need once you leave the hotel. By delegating out these items, you will won’t feel pressured to make sure that everything is being taken care of. Put these things in the hands of your bridal party so you can relax and enjoy your day.

Consider Doing a First Look

Not only does a first look significantly open up your timeline, by allowing for pre-ceremony photos, but I have found that most couples are more relaxed, and better enjoy their day, when they have had a few moments alone together before the ceremony. After-all, who calms your nerves better than the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with?

Don’t Sweat the Small (or the Big) Stuff

Next to having a well thought out wedding day timeline, this is the best advice I can give you for a stress-free wedding day! Nothing will steal the joy out of your day faster than fretting over centerpieces that were put together wrong or the fact that you ordered a bouquet of red roses, but received white. Once your wedding day has arrived, do your best to allow these things to roll off your shoulder. After-all, everything is already in motion, and unless there is something reasonable you can do to correct the situation, getting upset about it isn’t going to do any good.

I know how disappointing it can be when things don’t go as planned, but don’t allow these things to bring down your day. In my experience, couples who roll with the punches, no matter how big or small, tend to enjoy their wedding day more than those who worry about every last detail.

After-all, all of that stuff doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you and the love of your life get to say “I do” in front of all your loved ones. Right?

I hope these tips will help ensure that you and your fiance have the relaxed, stress-free wedding you deserve!

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Jennifer Smutek Photography is a member of the Charm City Wed Vendor Guide.  For membership information, click here.