Wedding Day Reminders

Wedding days are crazy. Timelines go off track, shoes get lost and then found again, ring bearers get cranky at the altar, signs get forgotten. But it’s so important to remember a few key things to make your wedding day the best it can be! Today I’m offering a few words of advice in the form of Wedding Day Reminders to keep the day on track and keep your stress down.

 

Wedding Day Reminders

Have Your Wedding Details Ready

I remind all my couples the week before their wedding to find a basket or box for all the details you want captured when I arrive the day of your wedding. Then as you remember things throughout the week you can just toss them in the box! (And you WILL remember things, even if you think you have everything!) If you and your partner are getting ready in different locations make two boxes – one per location – or put both of your details in whichever room I am starting in. I can always take their things to them after that!

Items to Pack for Wedding Detail Photos:

Need inspiration to remember what details you might want photos of as you’re gathering your things? Here’s some things I typically capture:

• Dress (leave out of the box, of course) with a wooden or special hanger
• Veil/head piece
• Jewelry
• “Something old, something new”
• Keepsakes or heirlooms
• Shoes
• Pocket squares
• Cuff links
• Tie & tie clip
• Ceremony program
• Dinner menu
• Perfume/cologne
• The rings
• Extra invitation suites (2 minimum if possible!)
• Bouquet/Boutonniere (try to have these delivered to your getting ready space so they are included in your detail photos)
• Ring box
• Vow books
• Guest favors
• Anything else important to you

Extra Pieces for Detail Flat Lays

Along with that, depending on your wedding there may be other extras you’d like to throw in that basket for enhancing photos. For instance, ribbon or lace, maybe a treasured ring box, I’ve even seen whole flat lay setups with different fabrics to use! Some of my couples will give me some extra table runners or tulle to use in ring shots. Whatever extras you want, throw ‘em in (and your photographer can always use what’s on hand, or some bring their own – check with your photographer to be sure.) Also, if your florist is willing to bring extra floral pieces to include that’s always awesome! That could be some extra sticks of greenery or a few flowers that can be sprinkled around the image.

Keep the Rings with You

One of the most common misconceptions you’ll be told is that you should hand over the rings to the best man the morning or day before the wedding day. What actually works best is to keep all of the rings (including the engagement ring(s)!) with you until we meet up with the full wedding party for portraits, and hand them over then. That allows your photographer to capture gorgeous shots of the rings with all the details that morning!

Bring the Bouquet/Boutonniere 

Make sure to have your bouquet/boutonniere delivered to your getting ready location. Not only does this give me a chance to create gorgeous images with it alongside your other details, but it will be there ready for you to take to the first look that way, too. This is also extra important if you’re having a first look with your dad before leaving to see your partner and want your flowers for that.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate!

Have a friend or extended family member as your go-to delegate. If a last minute decoration needs done or sign needs hung, or you just want to make sure the cake came on time… this person (or two or three people!) will be your person to lean on. They can send you pictures of everything to relieve your stress and take care of the little things you shouldn’t be worrying about. This person is also super helpful during family formals to help organize family, call names, and get us through the photos faster letting everyone get to the party sooner! I’ll have extra copies of the group photo lists to hand to these delegates too.

The Oh Shit Kit: What to Pack in Your Emergency Kit

One thing that has always impressed me is what was affectionately called the “oh shit kit” by one of my past couples, and the nickname stuck haha. These things have come in handy more times than I can count. Someone calls out for scissors, boom. Someone needs nail clippers, got it. Suddenly we need a needle and thread to resew a button on a someone’s dress, done. No matter what little things seem to pop up during getting ready, that wedding emergency kit comes in handy! Here are some things I’ve seen come most in handy, as well as some well-known standards that should be included in that bridal emergency kit! 

HEALTH ITEMS

• Pain killers
• Band aids
• Antacids
• Eyedrops
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Allergy meds/epipen if needed
• Deodorant
• Floss
• Tampons/pads
• Kleenex
• Q-tips
• Sunscreen

BEAUTY ITEMS

• Hair brush/comb
• Lip balm
• Lotion
• Tweezers
• Nail polish & remover
• Nail clippers & files
• Mirror
• Eyelash glue
• Lint roller
• Gum/mints
• Bobby pins
• Hair ties

GENERAL IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

• Sewing kit
• Straight pins (for boutonnieres or bouquets, etc!)
• Double stick tape
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Static cling spray
• Matches or lighter
• Phone charger(s)
• Tide stick
• Hem tape
• Crochet hook (for dresses with lots of loops/buttons)
• Superglue
• Drinking straws (no smudged lipstick here)
• Water & Protein snacks

Don’t Sweat It

At the end of the day, you’ll be married to the love of your life. You’ve done all the planning, put every piece in place. All you can do now is go with the flow! Remember not to sweat the small stuff (and as they say, it’s all small stuff!) and just let the day unfold as it does. I’ve seen weddings where the cake was cut before the bride and groom got to see it, where the hair appointments took two extra hours, where the skies opened up pouring rain as the bride and groom said their vows…. all things you may consider tragic and cause a panic attack in planning, but I promise you the days were ALL beautiful and every single couple came out laughing with a great story of their wedding day! The important thing was the couples embraced their wedding for all that it is, even the hiccups. When you realize something will go awry and choose to look at the bright side, you’ll remember your day so much more fondly. And hey, you got a new spouse out of it!

If you’re looking for a photographer serving Western Colorado or Eastern Utah, with 10+ years of experience who loves sharing all her insider info like this as you plan your wedding – then we might be a great fit! Click here to learn more about what weddings are like working with me.