10 Wedding day tips for an unforgettable experience

The day of the wedding is said to go past in a dazzling haze. It's true; being mindful and in the present is key to appreciating each moment. You want to have a good time with your guests and enjoy every aspect of the celebration. On the other hand, you should not feel overwhelmed, and you should not have to flick through your timeline seeking information while answering queries from vendors. 

So, the question ensues – how can you ensure that everything runs smoothly? One of our wedding day tips is to remember why you're doing what you're doing and to take pleasure in the process. Having an event that is completely unique to you and your spouse is the thing you absolutely aim for! That being said, here are some wedding tips to help you make the most of your most important day.

1. Seek pleasure in the process

We begin our blog with one of the essential wedding day tips! Remember, the planning process is completely unique to you! It's important to remember to take pleasure in the journey and the day itself! Keep in mind that you should focus on having a good time. Take delight in having a dedicated group of experienced professionals tailoring and executing the day of your dreams. As a wedding photographer in Charleston, it is our full-time duty to document your event so you can fully revel in your special event!

2. Hire a wedding planner

When it comes to the best tips on how to plan a wedding and have a stress-free celebration, keep in mind that hiring a planner can take care of all the little things, so you don't have to stress about anything on your big day. Thanks to their wedding “to-do list” – they will handle anything and everything of the big day itself. This means you may enjoy spending time with your beloved guests as you know they will have a memorable experience. On another note, hiring a day of coordinator will be incredibly useful if you think you can handle the major responsibilities yourself. They won’t meddle in the planning – they’ll just make sure that your big day runs smoothly and according to plan!

3. Stick to your wedding day timeline

As Charleston wedding photographers, our wedding day advice for you is to have a chronology of events for the ceremony and reception so that you can remain on track. Also, make sure to share your wedding day timeline with your vendors. The best way to prevent a delayed ceremony start time is to coordinate with your hair and makeup artists to arrive early. We suggest you give at least fifteen to twenty minutes between each step of the day's events so that you can make it to the venue calmly and confidently. If possible, try to do all the preparations at the venue – this will save you precious time!

4. Inform your wedding party of your plans

To make sure all the members of your wedding party show up where they need to be when they need to, it's best to present them with a summary of the day's activities in chronological order. Assemble all the important details into one slide the size of a smartphone screen, including the location and time of the wedding rehearsal, the bridal party's preparations, and any additional photographs that need to be taken. In this manner, the information will always be readily available to them.

5. Hire a photographer

When it comes to marital events, we love giving wedding day advice. There's nothing quite like reliving your big day through the eyes of wedding photos! Photographs are enchanting and may be kept for a long time, looking through your special day of a wedding gallery brings the memories back to life in an instant. 

6. Host a pre-wedding event

It is possible that you have not spent much time with your wonderful guests recently; thus, it is a smart idea to throw a pre-wedding event such as a welcome cocktail party or a rehearsal dinner. You may do this even if you are organizing a large event! You will be able to spend more time with one another and catch up on all that has transpired in your lives. You might add the toasts and speeches to the mix, ensuring that the wedding dinner does not last for several hours longer than it has to. To add another important thing to this wedding day tip: make sure you get your guests up and dancing; this way, you will have the perfect start to a memorable event!

7. Pack a bridal emergency kit

You should seek the help of your maid of honor in preparing a bridal emergency kit in case of any unexpected scenarios. If you encounter a beauty emergency - like a makeup blunder or the ripping of a seam in your magnificent dress – your bridal emergency kit will come to the rescue. You can go about your day without worrying about forgetting anything if you just throw in the extras you might want or need. If you want a more in-depth look at this topic, check out our blog to see what essentials you should pack in your bridal bag!

8. Get your marriage license

The list of wedding day tips undoubtedly goes on! If you're getting married somewhere you're not from, make sure you get there early enough to get your marriage license. Be sure to pay special attention to local regulations because they might differ substantially from one place to another. We advise getting your license about a month ahead of time if you live in the area. States will each have their regulations for waiting times and expiry dates, but 30 days is often well within the ideal range for both.

9. Don’t get caught up in the details

We guarantee that you won't recall the exact shade of your napkins or the shape of the stones in your centerpiece five to ten years from now. Focus on the big picture and ignore the small stuff. Try to keep this mindset running in your mind: Nothing to worry about, everything will work out. Think about the comments you'd like to hear from guests once the wedding is finished. There may be a few people that will discuss the decorations, colors, or other details. However, everyone will remember how much fun they had and how much in love the couple looked!

10. Meet with your vendors

The day will go more smoothly if you have already met with your team of professionals in advance. Even if you are busy, make time! This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on the wedding day timeline, express any concerns, and ensure everyone is on the same page. A good alternative for in-person meetings is the use of video chat. Trust us; this is one of the wedding tips that can save you a lot of headaches on the day itself!

Our goal with this wedding day tips blog is to make the time leading up to the big moment as stress-free as possible. You've been anticipating this for quite some time, so we fully understand that you want to create an astonishing celebration! Remember – it’s all about how you feel!

Read our blogs to learn more about what we do. If you need a Charleston wedding photographer, we'd love to be a part of your special day and commemorate it as you see fit!