So you have spent months researching, shopping, spending, planning & preparing and it all boils down to this one amazing day.
The dress is hanging beautifully ready for you, the cake is being set up at the venue, guests are starting their journeys, your bridesmaids are not yet awake – Today is the day.
This post has a few points of advice for brides-to-be ‘on the day’ written by a married lady who’s been through it and has got the ‘I GOT MARRIED AND SURVIVED’ T-shirt.
Before everyone wakes up I would just take a few minuets to take in how you are feeling on that really special morning, the adrenaline will be pumping more than on christmas morning already! Maybe take a selfie of your ‘excited’ face to really capture it – mines just ridiculous! I showed it to my man on honeymoon and still look back at it now. Its one of those feelings you’ll forever want to capture.
Next I’d say take a hot bath with some amazing fancy bubble bath (if it compliments the perfume you’ll be wearing, even better) it will really help you relax at the start of the day.
You probablly won’t feel like eating much (unless your like me – had a full brekky and cake before 10am!) but grab a banana or a cereal bar for a bit of energy as you’ll forget in all the madness later.
Take time for a glass of bubbles with your girls or mama before your house/room turns into picadilly circus.
Think about where you’d like your dress hanging photograph taken – I forgot this totally and ended up in front of the bathroom door!
Make sure you’re the first to have your hair done – leave alot more time that you think you need for hair and make-up if you’re doing it yourself. If you have a MUA relax and trust them.
You will probablly run late – thats ok, just don’t fret or panic about being late. You’ll get there when your ready and people expect it anyway.
Tell your mum you love her when you get into your dress – its a precious moment.
A few sprays of Rescue Rememdy in the car will help those last minuite nerves. My legs we’re like jelly but I felt weirdly calm and just too excited.
Kiss your dad before you go down the aisle, its a huge moment for them, giving you away.
Smile and take in those smiling faces as you walk up the aisle – its your moment to shine!
Remember to put some water in the car for after the service. A friend told me this advice and we forgot. This is now me passing this on to you – you will need a drink.
The only moment that I managed to sit and take in was sitting at the top table when our mums and dads we’re chatting and my groom was taking a quick picture on my phone (at my request as I wanted to have a picture to look at the next morning) As I sat facing out to all our most loved friends and family I can honestly say I have not felt happier in my life. I literally tried to breathe in that moment, to store in my heart forever.
So much of the day flys by – don’t sweat the small stuff that didn’t go right, just take in everyones smiling faces and happy comments for you both.
Take 15 minuites away from the day to create some camera magic that you’ll love in years to come. Take a minute to think about your wedding shots of ‘just you two’ with your photographer.
Savour the first dance and tell your man just how perfect it’s been.
Remember those people who were there at the end, dance wildly with them. Make it a hell of a night and forget trying to save the dress – you won’t be wearing it again!
Have an amazing day,
The Little Lending Co. x
the little lending company 
Awww Penny, this is such a lovely post and I can feel just how happy you were on your big day. A lot of good advice for those doing the big white wedding. I’m a big chicken and WOULD NOT walk down an aisle…
It’s our 10 year anniversary this year and we plan to have a big party which will almost overshadow our wedding! We didn’t have a photographer or a church or a cake. We just had the coolest celebrant in a registry office and had a slap up meal for 40 afterwards at the best restaurant in town. We hired the whole place out. It was very special to us and it was the small things we did that made it for everyone else.
Whenever I photograph a wedding, which isn’t very often because boy it’s a hard job with lots of responsibility, I always tell my bride to try and eat a little. I’ve had them faint before now and delay the meal because they’ve had to go and lie down!
Also try and remember to thank your photographer, because even though they may have done a million before yours it’s really hard being stealth like and capturing all those precious memories on film over what can end up being a 12 hour work day. We are often forgotten. xxx
Thanks so much Cat! Your day sounds beautiful and laid-back.
I had no idea you photographed weddings, but fainting brides is not cool! There was no worry of that with Miss Piggy here, I’d been dieting so long that I ate too much on the day and got over excited about cake!
Yes its a huge responsibility and they really do the most amazing job – I think its important to send them a little something to really show your appreciation x