The Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Wedding Morning.
How you begin your day can set the tone for the rest of the celebration. A calm, organized, and happy morning will help you feel relaxed and confident, as far as possible, at least!. Here’s our guide to keeping stress-levels to a minimum.
The Night Before
Preparation is Key
The night before your wedding is where it all starts. Set out a clear plan making sure every detail is planned out, from your wake-up alarm to when you’ll need to leave for the ceremony and all the steps in between! Make sure you also have all your vendor contacts to hand to save any last minute scrabbling around.
Get your wedding dress, shoes, and accessories all ready to go. And this is a biggie … prepare a wedding day emergency kit with essentials like safety pins, tissues, pain relievers, and any other last-minute fixes you might need. Having everything in place will mean you feel organised and prepared.
Relax and Unwind
Take some time to relax … a warm bath, reading your favourite book or a spot of TV or some meditation. This will help you calm any pre-wedding nerves and hopefully prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Easier said than done before your big day! Aim to go to bed early, avoid caffeine and heavy meals late in the evening, and relax, listen to music … or count sheep if all else fails!
Morning Timeline
Start Early
Give yourself plenty of time in the morning so you won’t have to rush. This also means you’ll have time to deal with any unexpected issues that might crop up … and they usually do!
As a rough guide, set aside 30 mins for quiet reflection to gather your thoughts, settle the nerves and take it all in. Then 30 minutes for breakfast, a few hours for hair and make-up, 30 minutes to get into your dress and an hour or so for final touches, pre-wedding chats with your squad and, of course, a ‘few’ photo’s!
A Little Self-Care
Healthy Breakfast
Kick things off with easy, energy-boosting options like yoghurt with fruit and granola, a smoothie, or whole-grain toast with avocado. A good breakfast will keep your energy levels high and stop any awkward hunger rumbles during the ceremony.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water and keep a water bottle with you so you can take sips throughout the morning as you’re getting your hair and make-up done. So easy to forget with everything else that’s happening.
Mindfulness Techniques
Simple breathing exercises can work wonders to keep you centred and focussed … and calm! Try inhaling deeply for a count of four, holding for four, and exhaling for four. Repeat this a few times to calm your nerves.
Essential Items to Pack
Checklist
Make sure you have a bag packed with some ‘must-have’s’ …
- Makeup for touch-ups
- Comfortable shoes or slippers for getting ready … and for later in the day!
- Snacks and water - a must!
- Wedding day emergency kit (safety pins, tissues, pain relievers, stain remover, etc.)
- Your phone and charger
- A copy of your vows or speech
Managing Your Bridal Party
Assigning Roles
Delegate tasks to your squad to ease your load. Give out specific roles, such as someone to keep track of the timeline, someone to handle your phone, and someone to ensure all your belongings are packed.
Communication
Critical that communications are clear with everyone. Confirm everyone knows their responsibilities and check in with them as much as you can. Your bridal party can handle minor issues, freeing you up to focus on enjoying your morning.
Support System
Lean on your bridal party for whatever you need. They’re there to help you whether it’s a glass of water or a few words of support.
And all that’s left is to enjoy the moment! Capture the morning’s memories as these moments are all part of the wedding story. And remember to take a minute or two to gather your thoughts, steady your nerves and take it all in!