bride hugging her best friend smiling

How to feel more relaxed on your wedding day

Full disclosure – I may be a wedding photographer but I am not married myself – yet. However, having shot over 160 weddings, I have seen it all. And I therefore I do feel I can add some usual tips on how to feel more relaxed on your wedding day.

  • group of bridesmaids standing close together smiling and laughing with each other
  • Groom and his groomsmen walking along stone pathway all looking at each other smiling
  • guest hugging bride, eyes closed, smiling
  • bride and bridesmaids walking towards the camera with windmill in background
  • bride and groom cruising around in a red mustang laughing at a joke
  • bride laughing with groom during ceremony
  • bridesmaids and bride sitting on bed all smiling and looking at each other
  • bride in her dress in the morning playing with her train
  • bride laughing holding groom's arm
  • group of bridesmaids standing close together smiling and laughing with each other
  • bride and groom walking along beach
  • rustic timeline of day board made out of wood draped in greenery and flowers
  • couple walking across bridge towards camera holding an umbrella
  • relaxed couple on their wedding day
  • confetti walk

Have a calm night and morning before your wedding

Everyone is different and what will be relaxing for one, won’t be for another. The night before you might just want a bath on your own and go to sleep really early. Or you might want just a few friends with you, a bottle of wine and good music. On the morning of your wedding, whether it’s a run, a meditation, a walk, a healthy breakfast, or just sitting around in your PJs, make sure you factor in doing something which you know sets a good tone for the day. This is key. And choose your inner circle wisely. If you don’t want the photographer there too early just say. If you don’t want all your extended family turning up at your bridal prep just say. You have to please yourself and not everyone else.

Don’t worry about the weather

I know this one is really difficult to ignore. The obsessive checking of the weather forecast is going to be a thing for most people getting married. But, of course, it is the one thing that we have absolute no control over. We do have control over wet weather plans, so if you know you’re doing to be particularly anxious about the weather, take away that stress by being happy with a back-up for any outdoor events. That’s not to say we can’t get good photos in the rain but we won’t be dragging your entire wedding party outside…

Regret is a horrible feeling and I’ve had a bride experience this exact feeling after she let her disappointment get the better of her. It rained throughout the day on her July wedding and she was so gutted it overtook the joy of the occasion. Months later she sent an email saying how much she regrets letting it get to her. Don’t be that person!

Delagate as much as possible

This is not a day to be showing off your best organisation and event management skills (that can all be in the lead up). By the time your wedding day arrives you should be feeling like everything is in hand because you trust your team of suppliers and your nearest and dearest around you. Logistics on the day should not be down to you. The photographer, wedding planner if any, and caterers will have it all in hand.

Make sure your time line isn’t too squished

You will hopefully have discussed this fully with your wedding photographer or event manager by the time the day comes around. You don’t want the worry of clock watching on your wedding day so let go of the reigns and let the people you’ve paid to do that take over. For example, you want to be in your wedding attire an hour before leaving so you can have a relaxed drink, some photos and just take it all in. The same applies in the middle of the day if you are having a few couple portraits. It’s always fed back to me how much a couple enjoy that part of the day as it gives them a bit of time out to chat to each other and reflect on the day which inevitably will be whizzing by.

Try and not worry about everyone else

If you are having a great time, everyone else will be having a great time. Guests feed off the energy of the couple. So get stuck in and just enjoy being surrounded by your closest friends and family.

For more tips and advice visit my weddings tips & advice section on my blog.