I need wedding day tips

Hi everyone! I'm getting married in less than 3 weeks! I'm putting together my timeline for the day so that everyone knows where to be and when. I just hope that I didn't forget anything cause it seems so simple.

• Salon 11:30
• Home to get ready and pics
• Be at the chapel at 5
• Intro into reception @ 6:15-6:30

We're having a small bridal party...as in, only my sis as maid of honor and a best man so it won't be too complicated. Plus, we're decorating the day before.

Any additions I can add? Do you ever think back and say "I really should have done ****?" Thanks everyone!

I eloped so I'm not the best to answer this question, however I've had many good friends and family members as the bride and they all said afterwards:  "I wish I would have not stressed about the details and just had fun." (or something similar).  So enjoy your day - don't worry about every little detail 

Remember to eat during the day.

Get plenty of sleep the night before.

I totally didn't do this, and wound up dozing off in a chair, in the vestibule of the the church, in my wedding dress with bouquet in hand. 

Three things:

1.  Get your engagement ring cleaned so that it's all nice and sparkles in the light.  

2.  Don't forget to wear a button down shirt to the salon.  And have an extra in case your sister forgets.  I totally blanked when my brother got married but my sister-in-law was prepared and totally saved me.

3.  Two words:  Waterproof mascara

Congrats!  I hope your day is spectacular:)

Take a timeout during the reception. Just sit back, see who all is there, who they're with, what they're wearing. Relax for 10mins and take it all in. You've spent so long organising it, don't let it fly by in a flurry and find you don't remember that half of it?

Ditto santonacci- get plenty of rest the night before.

Have a decent breakfast to help see you through as the afternoon will be chaotic.

Get a guest book and get someone trusted to go around with it- that way even if you don't get to talk to everyone you'll have a record of their wishes on the day- I treasure mine, especially as some of the people in it are no longer with us?

Plus- double-check everything a week before- the venue, food, drink,  music/entertainment, photos/video, outfits, flowers, salon arrangements, decorations etc. so theres no last-minute panic to stress you out if there is a problem.

Finally- Good Luck! 

My girls brought muffins & mimosas to the salon - it was perfect : )  I agree w/ santonacci - be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before!!  I didn't do that either...and I wish I did.  Also, like floggingsully said, remember to eat during the day!!  I hardly got to eat any food at the reception and I was starving!!  Thank goodness for the muffins!!  Just try to take everything in and enjoy it - the day goes by so quickly!!  Congratulations!!

Not sure if you scrapbook or similar but on my wedding day I sat down in a little of the scarce quiet I had and started a journal.  I just wrote my thoughts, fears and things I was excited about for that day and the coming year. 

I write in it every year on our anniversary and during the year if something big happens.  This year was our 10th anniversary and it's been something I kept secret until he got to read it this year.  Next year we're debating on each taking a page and then on our 25th if we're that lucky we'll let the kids read it.  It's got some hilarious memories in it and I know will be something they'll treasure.

Past that... relax!  And congrats on that special day getting close!!

Congrats! I just got married a few months ago, although it was an afternoon ceremony so my schedule was a bit more condensed (i.e. at the salon before 8am). One thing that really helped me was scheduling a massage for the night before the wedding (directly after the rehearsal dinner). It was great to have an hour to myself and I felt sooo relaxed afterward.

I definitely second the advice to eat during the day, even if it's just something light like a banana. Also, plan some time during the day for just relaxation, even if it's just 20 minutes. Things get incredibly hectic incredibly fast, and you want to have some time to soak it in. And finally, have fun! Remember that a wedding is just a giant party, albeit one you've been planning for months, so make sure you enjoy it. Oh, and when you go to the hotel you might want to have the caterers pack up some food to take. I was starving that night and we ended up chowing down on all the food we didn't have time to eat at the reception!

1. Schedule to have breakfast made or delivered to you the morning of.
2. Make a list of all the setup that needs to be done the day before and the day of (setting out guest book, where the cake needs to go, escort cards, gift table, favors, etc) and hand it to your Maid of Honor AND another family member whom you trust. They can go to the ceremony/reception area and make sure everything is done in case you get busy doing something else..
3. Put together an emergency kit  - deodorant, makeup, kleenex, stain pen or wipes, hairspray, panty liners, thread and needle (thread in white and the colors of the bridal party).
4. Consider doing the same for the groom - extra pair of socks and an extra shirt (sweat, food stains, etc), extra shoe laces, extra buttons
   
5. Consider getting an additional boutonniere for the groom - usually the boutonniere will be crushed after the ceremony (everyone wants to hug you two!), so if you are having photos taken it's nice to have a fresh boutonniere.
6. Consider getting an extra pair of shoes in a larger size for you... you can change into the second pair during the evening as your feet will swell from standing and dancing OR change into sandals/flip flops.. =)
   
7. Gather all items that need to be set out and place them in a box ready to go - toasting flutes, cake set, favors, guest book and pen. Make sure all the wrapping paper has been removed so setting them out is easy the day before.
   
8. Speak with your caterer or whomever is preparing your wedding dinner and ask them to make a take away bag for you. You can take this back home or to the hotel ensuring you have something to eat in case you didn't get much dinner during the reception..
   
9. Create a detailed time line of the wedding day to include all the details of what, when and where... Here's a suggestion:

09:30 a.m. Mom, and MOH arrive at home
10:00 a.m. Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Finish getting ready and get bags for salon. Take photo of hair style and makeup, head piece, etc. and wear a button down shirt, comfortable pants and shoes..
10:45 a.m. Get into transportation to Salon
11:15 a.m. Salon (arrive early in case they can start sooner on you and also give yourself extra time at the end in case you want them to adjust your hair or makeup)
02:00 p.m. Drive home to get ready for photos... have a snack!!
03:00 p.m. Photos at (location) - who needs to be here?
04:00 p.m. Finish photos and gather things to go to chapel
04:15 p.m. Take transportation to Chapel.. allow for extra travel time
04:45 p.m. Get to chapel
05:00 p.m. Groom and Best Man gather at pre-determined location (main entrance of chapel?). Parents of Groom join Groom for Processional.
05:00 p.m. Pre-lude music begins playing - specify song
05:05 p.m. Seating of family members - grandmothers, mother of the groom and mother of the bride.
05:10 p.m. Processional begins - Minister, Groom, Best Man, Maid of Honor (unescorted or escorted by Best Man?), Bride escorted by ? - specify songs
05:15 p.m. Ceremony begins
05:45 p.m. Recessional - Bride and Groom, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Parents of the Bride, Parents of the Groom, Grandmothers, rest of the guests - specify song
06:00 p.m. Photos with Bridal party and family members
06:15 p.m. Guests to make their way to reception. (I assume you are not having a cocktail hour?)
06:30 p.m. Bride and Groom introduced as "Mr. and Mrs. XXX" - specify song
06:35 p.m. Bride and Groom's first dance... you can also do this after dinner or in between dinner courses.
06:45 p.m. Other special dances - Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, etc.
07:10 p.m. Dinner is served - please make sure to sit down for dinner!!! =)
08:10 p.m. Best Man and Maid of Honor Toasts
08:20 p.m. Cake cutting - specify song
08:30 p.m. DJ changes to Dance music!
09:45 p.m. Bouquet and garter toss
10:45 p.m. Last call for bar
11:00 p.m. Last Dance...
11:15 p.m. Bride and Groom send off..

The above is only a guideline, so of course you can adjust it to your needs but make sure to include all details even if they seem small.. Like where should the groom be while you are taking photos, how would you like to be introduced at the reception, the songs that need to be played... Make several copies of this timeline and hand them out to all the persons involved. Also ask a friend or family member who is NOT part of the bridal party to keep tabs on the timeline to make sure things keep moving..

And a couple more things I always tell my brides before they walk down the aisle... Smile and enjoy yourself. Today is about your and your fiance, so take your time walking down the aisle and take it all in! Most importantly, look at each other during your vows and NOT at your minister...

Remember, don't sweat the small stuff. No wedding is 'perfect' but it will be as perfect you allow it to be.

I was so nervous I felt nauseous all day, so my MOH ran out and bought challah bread and ginger ale-it was very soothing to my stomach-so if you think you might have a sick stomach I definitely recommend having ginger ale on hand!

Have fun and enjoy it all-I got married in October and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it's all over-and make sure to post pictures for us!

I had an afternoon ceremony done as well.  we had the salon cater lunch as part of our time there.  Much easier.  That way I didnt have to worry about feeding me and my bridalparty.  Our hair was done first then we ate and had our makeup done!  My schedule was almost like yours only hr earlier for ceremony and my photos were done after.

Two important things...

Make sure everybody has the correct addresses and directions to all venues, hair salon, wedding, reception, etc.

And more importantly, make sure your fiance hears the best man's toast PRIOR to the reception.  I have been to a few weddings where the best man has said something stupid or inappropriate.  Fortunately, our best man was wonderful and we had no such problems. 

Good luck and have fun!

Congratulations!

My husband and I had a small ceremony by the waterfront in Boston with our closest family and friends instead of the big wedding (we spent it on the honeymoon and agreed to travel someplace new every year we are married, which has worked out well for us.)

But as everyone said, sleep is important!!!!! My best friend flew in from London at 10pm the night before, we went out to dinner, and finally fell asleep at 2:30am. My wedding was not scheduled for 5pm, but my sister woke me up at 7am, everyone wanted to go out for breakfast, then we had to go into Boston, check into the hotel, fight traffic to go to the day spa, fight traffic to get back to the hotel, and then I needed to get ready. By 6pm at the dinner reception, I wanted to fall asleep in my wine. If I could do it over, I would totally sleep in and say forget breakfast. That and I would have someone do my hair for me.

Also, I had my nails done in a french manicure and they looked fabulous. Simple yet elegant. Good luck and enjoy your wedding.

For the love of all higher powers, please, please, please put lotion on your face. :|  I've seen so many flakey-faced brides.

Don't sweat the small stuff.  Just enjoy the day and your new hubby.

Congratulations to you and your soon to be husband !

I think the one thing I would  say is to remember on your big day the reason why you are getting married.  In all the rushing around you, with women chattering, and curls being tousled, and tummies being nervous...remember the love you feel for your sweetheart.

I was really blessed in that I was totally focused on my sweetheart and so all around me everything just fell into place, because I didn't sweat the small stuff or the large stuff.  My only concern was my husband and how excited I was to get to be his.  I really let myself get lost in our love and all the wonderful things about the man I was marrying.

My hair fell- who cares ! I stupidly offered cake to my anorexic aunt in law - who cares !  My dress got dirty - who cares, I sure didn't ! I was getting my sweetie and that was all I thought about.

We took time out from the reception and just sat outside together, by ourselves in the Western Australian wine vineyards and it was just lovely.  The servers came out with baskets of food or drink for us and we just took in the Oct. twilight.

To be honest, I could have done without the dress, in fact I didn't even pick my dress my mother and sister in law did.  I didn't choose the food either, the venue did ( it was wonderful by the way).. I didn't plan my hair or make up.  None of that mattered to me, I was getting the one I love, that was all that mattered.  All the details of the day, the flowers, the food, my dress, sweetie's tux, the food that was all for other people.  I could have stood naked or in jeans and had my wedding quite happily..all because of who I married, I am just so smitten.

Do your itinerary the way that makes you the most comfortable. I'm the maid of honor in two upcoming weddings and each bride has her own style that minimizes her stress level. One can't cope with too many deadlines the other is terrified of missing something important.

And drink plenty of water and cut back on the alcohol and soda for the next few weeks. A little healthfulness will make you glow on your big day.

Congratulations, and all the best to you and your man!

whatever you do , don't forget to remember this day is about you and your husband!! Enjoy it!!

Thank you so much everyone! I'm compiling a list of things that need to be done the day before and the day of so I added many of these suggestions on there. I will post pics as soon as I get them back! Just send me some sunshine thoughts so that I don't have trudge through big mounds of snow in my wedding garb.