How to reduce stress on your wedding day: It all comes down to planning your timeline well!
Yes, I firmly believe you have to plan ahead of time to be able to let it all go and relax when the day actually comes! No plan usually equals chaos.
But building your wedding day timeline can be a very intimidating part of the planning process. You’ve likely never done this before, you have no idea how much time you need for certain things. I get it!
We love helping our couples build their timelines because after photographing so many weddings, we know exactly how much time is ideal for every part of the day. We see what stresses couples out the most, what causes unexpected delays, and most importantly – what allows for the most relaxed, fun, stress-free timeline!
Here are 8 ways to reduce stress on your wedding day:
1. Include some buffer time in every part of your timeline –
It’s better to run early than to run late! Buffer time is the key to success in a wedding day timeline. You never know what’s going to get delayed, but something always does. If you have buffer time built in, you will still have time for everything without feeling rushed or stressed! Figure out how much time you need for each part of your day by talking to your vendors – your photographer, coordinator, venue, caterer, DJ, etc. And then add at least 10-15 minutes to each part. It’s especially important to add buffer time for hair and makeup, family photos and other portraits, travel time, and dinner.
2. Clearly communicate with your VIPs ahead of time
If you’re doing a first look with dad, tell him where he needs to be and when. If you’re doing family photos before the ceremony, make the time and location very clear to all family members.
3. Have your bouquets delivered early enough in the day for your detail photos and all portraits
Taking pictures with your bridesmaids and some family members before you go to your first look or your ceremony is a great way to save some time later in the day. But you’ll want your bouquets for these photos! If your bouquets are delivered to the ceremony or reception venue and that’s not where you’re getting ready, you won’t be able to do those portraits if you want to include your bouquets.
4. Steam dresses before your wedding day
This takes longer than you think, and it’s not a very fun task for someone to do the morning of your wedding day!
5. Don’t leave bride’s hair and makeup for last
Most hair and makeup artists will follow this practice. But you don’t want to be last, especially if everyone else takes a little longer than anticipated. You don’t want your hair and makeup to be rushed, and everything else will get delayed if you’re not ready to go. You can get dressed and start taking portraits if a few other people are finishing up hair and makeup.
6. Make a list for your family photos (start with grandparents and kids)
ALWAYS make a list! Check out my super detailed blog post on how to execute your family photos!
7. Keep your family photo list concise
Along with number 6, you want to keep this list concise. This is the one area no one really sees coming. So many of our couples look at us during family photos and say, “oh, this is what you were talking about.” They are important photos, but they can be very stressful. There are ways to organize your family photos so they don’t take an hour, and they don’t make you want to cry!
8. Have your officiant make important announcements at the end of the ceremony
Some announcements include: Where family should go for family photos, when cocktail hour starts, whether you are or are not doing a receiving line. And BEFORE the ceremony, the officiant should remind guests if you are doing an unplugged ceremony (HIGHLY recommended).
