Ah, your wedding day. One of the very special and important times in somebody's life. If you understand anything about my wedding day, then you realize it wasn't your typical wedding day due to unexpected events. I've already shared that aspect of my wedding day, so now I wanted to share some additional things I learned on my wedding day in hopes that what I share can help another bride-to-be on her special day.
1. Do not wear heels for your rehearsal, unless you are a frequent heel wearer. I am not a large heel wearer because I'm tall enough sans shoes. However, I wore three inch wedges for our wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. HUGE mistake. I was struggling to walk into my two inch heels 3 hours into my wedding day. If you do wear heels to your rehearsal pop on some flats for the remainder of the day, especially if your feet are not conditioned to walk in heels. I purchased some circa 1998 platform flip flops (so my dress wouldn't drag on the ground and so I wouldn't trip on my dress) to wear on the dance floor at our reception.
2. Baby wipes would be your very best friend. We'd First Look photos out before our service, which meant that the bottom hem of my dress was dirty even though I picked it up once I walked around. The baby wipes were magical-- taking all the dirt off my dress. As soon as I walked down the aisle no one could tell how cluttered it was 30 minutes before. The baby wipes also came in handy when our caterers spilled barbecue sauce onto a food station tablecloth. And instead of removing the tablecloth they flipped it over. When I went to get my meals I got barbecue sauce ALL OVER the very front of my wedding gown. Thank goodness for all those baby wipes-- they have off the sauce in no time. Note: My dress was satin. Be sure that you are able to use baby wipes onto your dress fabric.
3. Take your dress off to use the restroom. Yep. When I needed to go to the toilet I took my Maid of Honor with me. She unzipped my dress, I stepped from the dress, she held up the dress like I was still in it, I did my business, washed my hands, jumped back to the dress, she zipped me up, and we're on our way. Home Grinds SO much easier than having 3-5 decoration hold up your dress as you pee. Granted this suggestion works best if you have a dress it is easy to get in and out of. If all else fails pull a Bethenny Frankel and pee in a trashcan. I won't judge you.
4. Makeup and Hair trials are essential. I 100% consider in getting your cosmetics and hair professionally done for your wedding day. When else are you going to get the chance to have your makeup professionally airbrushed? Splurge a bit. Things are stressful enough to be doing your own makeup and hair. I also strongly believe in having at least one cosmetics and a single hair trial. This is indeed important. Take photo examples to demonstrate how you need your makeup and hair to look. When you get home from your trials, you have someone take photographs of you from every angle. I decided I didn't want my hair trapped into both sides based on the way I appeared in photographs I took after my own hair trial.
5. Give yourself more than enough time on your wedding day. Matters will operate behind schedule. I had been an hour late getting into my First Look because my hair took longer than expected. And I had been a frazzled wreck. In my opinion, the bride must be the first to receive her hair or cosmetics. If she's getting her hair done someone else can be getting their makeup done, but the bride would be the number one priority. If you think that it'll take you 3 hours to get prepared plan for 4-5 hours. Trust me. If you're ahead of schedule your photographer can get more bridal shots of you or photographs of you and your own bridesmaids in your bridal suite. But bear in mind, if you're running late don't freak out a lot-- they can not start without you.
6. Something will go wrong. Face it. I have not met anybody who said everything went perfectly in their wedding day. (That they understood.) If you're me, then your DJ will neglect to totally plug in a cable, causing your music to cut out while your wedding celebration is processing down the aisle. Your caterer will spill barbecue sauce on a food channel table fabric and you are going to receive barbecue all around the front of your wedding gown. A person will die on your wedding day. Not kidding. True story. Happened to me. But do not reside in fear of what could go wrong on your special day. Just be prepared to roll with the punches, though nothing can really prepare someone for what I experienced. So here's some perspective: when you're flipping out as your florist used roses rather than peonies to your bouquet, simply know that things might be worse.
7. Have buffers. This is such a tough lesson I had learn in my wedding day. You need buffers. People who will intercept information so you aren't made aware. One of your buffers is to telephone duty. It is their obligation to intercept all messages and telephone calls and relay the info which they deem pertinent. If something catastrophic should appear, they are to discuss the situation with your other buffers and significant people (your loved ones, wedding coordinator, etc.) to choose whether or not you should be made aware of the circumstance.
8. Have a wedding day survival kit. Some items I think you should definitely have in your kit: water, deodorant, mints, aspirin/ibuprofen, antacid, lipgloss/lipstick, dental care, sewing kit, first aid kit, touch-up powder, bobby pins, mirror, band-aids, baby wipes, and white chalk, stain remover, and security pins, smelling salts, hand sanitizer, scissors, Q tips, lint roller. Queensown.org
9. Hold your fragrance non. For your love, maintain your bouquet low. I apologize when I see brides holding their bouquets up by their own faces. It may feel weird to hold it reduced, but trust me, it looks so far. Before walking down the aisle with my dad and stepdad, I kept my bouquet where I wanted it and told them to hook my arms. Do exactly the same with whoever walks you down the aisle.
10. Walk slowly down the aisle. It's not exactly the 50 meter dash. 1 time. Savor it. I told my father and stepdad to follow my guide. Do exactly the same with the person or persons who walk you down the aisle-- don't make it possible for them to speed up you. So, walk slowly. Smile. Lock eyes with your groom. And take that fragrance non, sister.
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