Make Sure You Do These Things on the Morning of Your Wedding
After months of wedding planning and focusing on so many moving parts, the morning of your wedding is the opportunity to finally take a breath before the party gets started and really relax with your loved ones. That said, the morning of is so much more than just following an itinerary, and if not coordinated appropriately, it can quickly become chaotic.
Why The Morning Of Is Notoriously Stressful
A common misconception among couples is that the planning begins and ends with the ceremony and reception. No matter how much you want everything to work itself out and run with a basic timeline, a lack of planning for the day of is a recipe for disaster.
Tempering expectations early on and preparing for multiple scenarios can help but isn’t easy, notes Colton Simmons of Colton Simmons Photography. “A couple’s expectations can easily get them off kilter on the big day. When they’ve always envisioned a sunny day by the water and then suddenly have to pivot due to weather, this can cause the entire day to feel like the joy has been sucked out of it.”
Marsia Nogueira of The Beauty Studio adds, “There is so much anticipation, planning, and organizing that goes into your day that when it is finally here, it can be overwhelming. You try to have the balance of living in the moment and managing all the tasks that need to happen in a short amount of time.”
What You Can Do To Avoid The Overwhelm
The day of your wedding is likely going to come with some unavoidable (yet normal!) anxiety and nerves, plain and simple. Here’s what you can do to minimize undue stress.
Mandy Hess of MJM Designs recommends, “To help avoid being too stressed the morning of your wedding, I would definitely suggest a planner to help keep the movement going on getting ready, staying with the timeline, and being the one to ask others to stay on task. This way, you can focus on being present and excited to see your other half in a few hours.”
Even if you have the best intentions, Deliece Knights-Barnett of Dhalia Events LLC cautions against saving any last-minute tasks for the morning. “While it might be tempting to think that small tasks can be completed on the day of the event, we highly recommend avoiding any planning or detail-related activity on the day. Couples may not realize that the wedding day will likely require them to interact with a significant number of people for several hours, ranging from wedding party members to professional vendors to well-wishers.”
According to Samantha Leenheer of House of Joy, getting organized the night before is key to a seamless wedding morning. “The night before your wedding, be sure all of your personal belongings are where they need to be for the morning of your wedding as well as after your wedding day. Nothing is more frustrating than realizing your bags are somewhere else.”
Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss and Rock Paper Coin also advises you to check out your getting-ready space well in advance. “Something to consider as you choose your getting-ready room is not necessarily only having enough room, but what is just as critical is the amount of natural light in that room! Large or intimate, a dark room with no natural light does not make for a celebratory wedding day! Set your makeup artist up for success and find a getting room that not only has plenty of space for you and your squad but also as much natural light as possible.”
Essentials That Should Be On Your Wedding Morning To-Do List
Just like everything else on your big day, having a detailed to-do list specifically for your wedding morning is going to be your best bet. Seeing everything outlined in black and white can be a helpful visual, but there are a few things you don’t want to leave off.
Stacie Marshall of Marshall Arts Photography suggests, “Hand your phone over to a designated bestie so they can monitor for anything that needs to be addressed. This will allow you to be more present and in the moment without the distraction of notifications. As a bonus, they can also use your phone to grab a few behind-the-scenes shots for you if you like.”
Limiting alcohol is a must, says Sarah Chianese of Mangia and Enjoy! “Having light food and light or no alcoholic beverages before the ceremony is recommended, as there will be ample time to imbibe during the post-ceremony celebration. While some couples desire to ‘take the edge off’ with a drink, limiting consumption and having something light to nibble on is wise.”
Maybe a no-brainer, but Megan Breukelman of Megan & Kenneth reminds couples to get a good meal. “You wouldn\'t believe how many people straight up forget to eat before their big event. Ignoring hunger can lead to fatigue or even dizziness, especially under stress. A good breakfast provides the energy needed to navigate the day\'s emotional and physical demands. Fuel your body and mind for one of the most memorable days of your life.”
Brian Franklin of Vows & Speeches says, “Practice your vows out loud as many times as you can. You don\'t need to memorize it, but it will help you both with delivery and to avoid choking up (too much).”
Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events advises not to take on too much. “Delegate some tasks—the lunch order, the playlist, the steaming of the dresses, learning how to tie a real bow tie. Identify the things you do not want to do on your wedding morning and outsource them 30 days beforehand.”
Lastly, Katy Padilla of Scarlet Rose Events notes, “The morning of your wedding day is so exciting, give yourself time to take in the emotions. Whether it be some morning meditation or a walk around the area, give yourself time to just breathe. The festivities come and go in the blink of an eye, so find time to have some silence and start your day on a calm note.”
Incorporating your wedding morning into the rest of your planning process is the easiest way to ensure everything runs smoothly and you can truly enjoy the moments leading up to the celebration. Have a plan of action to rely on, and your day will go off without a hitch!
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
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