I'm getting married tomorrow and I have some questions that I realise I don't know the answer to

[newnewname19]

Few panicked thoughts just sprung to mind-

1. When I walk down the aisle who do I give my bouquet to and do I pick it up again to walk out of the church?
2. I have a really long veil, at what part of the day do I take it off?
3. Everyone says the bride should be late for the wedding- is ten mins enough? Will everyone be there by then?

So nervous!

Ps. Congratulations and have an amazing day!

Usually you hand your bouquet to your bridesmaid or matron of honour.

No need to be late - it annoys vicars no end and the organist may have another job together to! In fact if you are more than 10 mins late they can refuse to marry you or charge extra! Allowing time to get out of the car and photos you need to arrive at least at the time appointed.

The veil is your call, before or after the meal depending on practicality

Don't be late, you'll be making the next wedding run late too. It's highly selfish and entitled to be late.

@QuestionableMouse it's a church wedding and I'm the only wedding there that day, and the priest said 'make sure you're not bang on time!'

I would say aim to be a few minutes late or be outside getting pictures for a couple of minutes.
I was bang on time and my poor DHs Dad and another few family members came sprinting up to the church having had a short disaster they had to go fix. A couple of minutes allows those in the church a grace period in case of any emergencies.

On time is polite to everyone... No need to be precious.

Don’t be very late. Its not fair on the church wardens, clergy, bell ringers, choir, etc if weddings start (and therefore finish) late. 5 mins max is fine.

Don't people have wedding rehearsals these days? In ye olden days you had the rehearsal and went through every detail. Is that not a thing now?

Make sure that someone checks before photos that when your dh to be lifts the veil he has fully lifted it over and hasn't left an annoying little bit of it standing up on one side . Hope you have a great day.

I’m wondering why people are saying to put a watch on at the reception... DH bought me a special watch to wear on the day including the ceremony and I wore it afterwards too and I bought him cufflinks. I suppose maybe an Apple Watch or a Casio might look a bit strange, but...

I have my bouquet to my dad, I forgot to think about it so he just took it off me and presumably gave it back after but I don't remember.
Don't worry, it will all work out and you'll be happy once it's over!

congratulations!

1. Bouquet to any key family member or bridesmaid near the front on the end of an aisle (mine went to my sister/bridemaid) - take back for way out, yes. Because flowers are nice!
2. Whenever it annoys you! I had a longish veil and took it off just before the meal iirc. At which point I'd already caught a bee in it and some food which dh sucked out of it (this may be my favourite wedding photo....)
3. Aim to be ready on time, then you'll be 10 mins late (if you're anything like me!) - I think a little late is sensible in case other people don't run to time, but no point being late for fun!

ENJOY IT - take a few minutes ever hour or so to just breath and look around - remember nothing is important other than the getting married bit - if anything else goes wrong, m'eh, who cares±

Ahh good luck! Enjoy!

Top tip:
Most brides walk down the aisle clutching fheir flowers too high, way up near their boobs.

Extend your arms, hold the flowers lower. You look more relaxed and the line of your dress will always look better.

Remember- flowers nearer fanny than boobs. Job done.

Have a fabulous day!

*gave

@Alabasterangel6 noted!!

Oh, and my engagement ring stayed on the usual finger. Wedding ring went on top. Both rings have been there for nearly 20 years so it's worked for me....

Awh! Have a fabulous day!

Bouquet-bridesmaid at the top.
Late to church- I refused to be late. I hate being late any other day and arrived on time(much to the annoyance of the late comers 😂). But by the time you have photos etc -you’ll be late to go up the aisle.

Veil-I took mine off as soon as we got back to the hotel as we had to contend with extremely high winds (which made for amazing photos as no wind machine needed to get the bloody thing flying above my head on a pier!). But the wind ruined my hair so I had a friend redo it as soon as we got to the hotel and the 8ft veil came off.

Enjoy every second ❤️

I thought that your wedding ring went on first so it was nearest your heart.

Just don't do what I did and forget to put your veil on altogether. That was £300 well spent...!

Enjoy your day OP! I hope you have a great day.

The registrar took my bouquet from me, but to be honest I would have given it to anyone I was so nervous/excited.

I moved my engagement ring to my right hand for the ceremony and afterwards moved it back so it sits above my wedding ring.

I was unusual I didn’t take my veil off, I loved it, it was so pretty and I thought it’s the only time I’ll get to wear it. It was very long but so was my train so it didn’t really matter.

This time tomorrow you will be married!

Please don't be late. As PP have said other people who are required to be there to perform duties quite often have other commitments at other churches on the same day. Yours might be the only wedding taking place at that church but other local churches might have asked for support from people involved in the different aspects of the wedding. I've also known churches drop hymns, cut short bells etc if the bride is particularly late to make up time.

@newnewname19

Ah that's a bit different then! Maybe take a few minutes outside for pics?

You'll no doubt be having 'arriving' photos being taken at the church, when you get there so don't arrive late, you can just hang about outside for a few minutes if you want to!

Is yours the only wedding at the church tomorrow, or is there another one after yours? The day we got married there were three that day, and the vicar said to get there on time, otherwise ours would overrun and the next one would be late.

But also remember - enjoy it! Enjoy the entrance, pause, don't rush. As you turn onto the main aisle stop to give the churchwarden/bridesmaid a chance to spread out your dress. Take baby steps, breathe, take it all in as you'll be at the front before you know it and enjoy x

Congratulations on your wedding OP.
I gave my bouquet to my bridesmaid and she gave it back before I left the ceremony room.
Engagement ring on right hand, wedding ring goes on closest to your heart then engagement ring can move back across afterwards.
I was bang on time but I had a small wedding so already knew everyone was inside.
I didn't take my veil off until I went to bed as it was my favourite part of my outfit! But it was only elbow length so wasn't in the way at any point.
Hope you have the most wonderful day.