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Original poster

Tips for Bride on Wedding Day

21 replies

FlippertyTibbert · 02/10/2023 08:18

Just as the title says really, I'm getting married on Wednesday and am looking for some tips to really enhance my experience of the day.

I'm 44, been with OH for 12 years and due to some devastating health news for one of our parents we have gone 21 weeks from proposal to wedding. We always knew marriage was on the cards but this was the shove we needed, I am excited about the day and about becoming Mrs X, but as a naturally shy person I would love some advice on how to best enjoy the day and not be faffing about!

OP posts:
Tiredchicken · 02/10/2023 08:22

Don’t expect it to be perfect! Things will go wrong but as long as you and your OH end up married that’s the main thing!
try and get a wee drink and 10mins together between ceremony and reception where it’s just you two xxx
hope you have a lovely day xxx

jackstini · 02/10/2023 08:33

What's your rough wedding plan - timings, location, reception etc?
Are you arriving together or spending time with friends/family in the morning?
Food, drink, flowers, entertainment, photos...
Then we can probably tailor more tips to suit
Wish the circumstances were better for you but it will still be a wonderful day
Congratulations!

fungibletoken · 02/10/2023 08:50

Whatever happens the day before, I'd make sure to get a good night's sleep. DH and I ended up running round sorting out last bits, seeing to relatives who were staying etc. and got no more than about 4 hours sleep. I felt pretty horrific all day and we were both just running on adrenaline. Wishing you a wonderful day 😊

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Cinai · 02/10/2023 08:55

I can’t give advice because I’m not married yet but I wanted to wish you a wonderful wedding day 💐

MehtotheChristmasrunup · 02/10/2023 08:56

I agree it’s really tiring !

Hold the flowers by your waist not high up.
Take off your engagement ring (no one reminded me)
Talk to everyone afterwards. Don’t miss half the food at the reception as my husband did. He’s still cross about this.🙂

TheBirdintheCave · 02/10/2023 08:57

Don't have too big a breakfast or drink too much coffee/tea. I was desperate for a wee by the time the ceremony was over! 😂

I agree with the poster above who suggested taking a minute out with your husband to just stop and take everything in. The day goes so quickly!

Congratulations :)

PuttingDownRoots · 02/10/2023 08:58

Decent breakfast and stay hydrated beforehand. Its very easy to forget to eat and drink.

PuttingDownRoots · 02/10/2023 08:59

Cross posted with @TheBirdintheCave... I was getting a dehydration headache by the end of the ceremony.

Maybe not drink loads... but drink enough!

Ohthatsabitshit · 02/10/2023 09:00

Eat breakfast. Take time to tell him he’s wonderful.

jellybe · 02/10/2023 09:15

Have maid of honour or best man or both to run interference on the day - it's their job to handle minor mishaps/ get drunk guests home safely/ keep aunty Betty and aunty Joan away from each other if they don't get on etc. basically, you don't need to worry about those thing or be aware of them.
I didn't know my underage cousin had managed to get steaming drunk until after the fact because my bridesmaids delt with it along with his parents.

jellybe · 02/10/2023 09:17

Also set up a group that everyone can share their photos of the day to from their phones as they will catch lots of beautiful moments that may be missed by the photographer.

Missingpresumedhidden · 02/10/2023 09:28

As the first response says don't get hung up on any thing that isn't exactly as you planned. Your guests will have no idea the serviettes were meant to be ivory but are actually cream so if you come across little things like that don't let them stress you out. A wedding is a few hours a marriage is (hopefully) forever. We did the whole shebang with 7.5 weeks from setting the date to saying I do and over 20 years later I wouldn't not change a thing.
Relax, enjoy, have a fantastic wedding and a long and happy marriage.

AnSolas · 02/10/2023 09:30

Acfept that something will go wrong but nobody but you will remember in 3-4 years time.
Relax and enjoy the event as much as you can.

give a rough schedule out to everybody in the bridal /grooms party the day before.

Only use a wrap/button top as you can run around in getting your hair and makeup done and not mess it up when changing.
If you are up very early have a light meal and drink water or milk as tea or coffee will make you want to wee more.
Wee just before you put your dress on.
And if you are doing photos between the service and venue have a small picnic for inbetween pics or in the car as your guests will be eating while you are away and you miss out. Or have a quick picnic in the room away from evreyone at the venue after photos as you will ended up talking to everyone and not eating.
If you go with new new shoes have a second pair of broken in flats that you can swap out of for walking around during the meal and for dancing when it gets late at night.
If you are wearing a veil etc get family to put the box in a car so you can safely store it when you take it off at the venue.
Big nappy pins to lift a train or underskirt on a long dress.
I am assuming some family is not well having a room availabe where they can rest and a "cuddly" soft chair area with a side table for food/drink where they can sit and allow people to come to them may make their day easier. Near a toilet and a seat hight they can get on and off with arm rests.

Congrats and have a great day🌻

nodogz · 02/10/2023 15:35

If it's a private venue for the reception stick a box with plasters, paracetamol, tampons, baby wipes, sewing kit in the ladies loos.

Definitely have a capable person (mine was stepdad and MIL) in charge of sorting last minute hassles with venues, guests, decorations etc so you are not bothered - they can also collect cards and presents as these can often "go missing".

Make sure there's enough bar staff on for when you all arrive at the venue. Queues will be remembered!

Silly guest book is much more memorable

Have fun and hang out with the groom.

nodogz · 02/10/2023 15:43

Personally, I'm a show-off so I did like being the centre of attention, but it's not overwhelming at a wedding because you know everyone and you have a reason to be there! It is very positive and warm - even strangers will smile when they see you and the people who do the ceremony are very good at supporting you!

Lottie4 · 02/10/2023 15:43

Just go with the flow, really enjoy it and appreciate those first few hours with your new husband. I think on the day that's what'll happen anyway.

OldTinHat · 02/10/2023 16:00

Don't get drunk, don't eat too much (you might feel sick/nervy), laugh at the inevitable things that will go wrong.

Most important tip? Enjoy yourself!!

HowIsItOctoberAlready · 02/10/2023 16:06

Think through your day, and pick maybe the one thing you definitely don't want to miss - and make sure you do it.

For me, it was the dancefloor, we hired an amazing band and I wanted to enjoy it.

I did however miss all the canapés and the cheese as I was too busy talking/dancing, which I'm still annoyed about!

I would also get up a bit early, have a cup of tea, and breathe and enjoy the silence for a bit.

ohfook · 02/10/2023 18:08

Just remember that people (mostly) love weddings. The joy of a wedding is enjoying time spent with people who want to celebrate you as a couple.

We focus so much on flowers, menus, music, place settings, favours, outfits etc and ultimately none of that is important. Any of those things could get totally fucked up and it wouldn't matter one jot. I've been to a range of weddings from mega fancy free bar ones to a registry office and everybody buying their own lunch at the pub and a few years on I couldn't tell you a thing about the flower arrangements or the wedding favours, I can remember sitting around a table laughing with friends, dancing with my friends, meeting new people - basically memories not things!

Original poster
FlippertyTibbert · 03/10/2023 06:31

Thank you all so much!

You have all offered very useful advice. I hadn't even given a thought to staying hydrated and the need for wees!

We have no bridal party other than me and OH but we have some very capable guests that we can ask to step up, in case of emergency.

We have a nice basket of essentials for the loos too.

So just remembering to be in the moment and relaxing seem to be the main things to concentrate on.

Right, I'm off for a day of running about until 4pm when we are checking in to the hotel and I think I might even turn my phone off for a few hours to enjoy some time with my very nearly DH😊

OP posts:
Blarn · 03/10/2023 06:36

The best advice I got was from someone I occasionally saw through work and he said to take a couple of minutes just to sit down and see everyone who has turned up. They are all there and having a lovely time because they like you!

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