Here are 5 tips for a smooth Wedding Day!

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen should help!
Firstly we want those by your side on your day to have an amazing time! YES YES YES! But don’t forget to ask them to help you before they vanish for selfies and to sip from those hip flasks!
We don’t want you being pulled from pillar to post and helping guests on your day of love! You need to be chilled out and to be totally looked after. If you can, give them chores before the day and get them to own them! Helping with the group photos, the one who YouTubes “how to knot a tie” or “wear a kilt”, helping guests with directions or hotel bookings, helping the photographer organise the confetti line, even running to the shop if you forget nipple covers (this happened once but it was me running)! Whatever it may be, if you need help organising things, make sure they all pull their weight and help. Once the party starts they can go for it. But trust me when I say 9 out 10 brides or grooms need more support from their pals and siblings on their big day!

It’s YOUR day!
Like the bridesmaids or groomsmen we want your family and relatives to have a great day, but remember, THIS IS YOUR DAY!
I have seen it so many times! An over powering parent or relative passing their stresses onto a bride or groom. It’s hard to watch, totally awkward and so suffocating for those involved. It changes the mood completely and not for the better. Let them be stressed if they choose to be, but how they look, if they need more hairspray, if the bar don’t do their favourite drink or the fact that auntie Agnus has forgotten their fascinator? It really isn’t anyones issue but theirs. It’s certainly not yours. Don’t take it on.
Sometimes you may feel that others should have a say in your day because they have funded parts of it? But don’t let your day become transactional, either financially or emotionally. You want that suit? You want your hair that way or that plunge on your dress? JUST DO IT! And no, just because they want your that distant relative you’ve never seen to come, it doesn’t mean you have to invite them! You guessed it, it’s your day! It sounds cruel and harsh but the more it steers away from your vision as a couple, the more stresses will be added. Aim for zero stress and you’ll get it!

Keep it tidy
Wherever you decide to get ready for the day ahead make sure it is clutter free! Clutter free means less stress for you all and it makes it easier to find things! Seems obvious I know but you’ll be surprised how cluttered a room can get with a handful of you in there. You also don’t want your photographs and videos from the morning full of empty plates, dirty cups, glasses, suitcases, hair straighteners, makeup and Sainsbury’s bags!

Plan your photography beforehand
Of course I would say this right? And I don’t mean to plan every single shot (nobody would want that) but plan away from the storytelling. You may want a first look with your partner, friends or relatives? A couple session before the ceremony? Couple portraits afterwards and even some time together for photos in the evening. Whatever it may be, talk to your photographer and ask them to schedule it in. They should be leading these discussions in your planning meetings but make sure they are on top of it all for you. On the day you can then relax and enjoy the time in front of the camera and know when it’s going to happen.
It doesn’t have to be regimented but if you’ve discussed ideas you’ll want them to be captured. If the day comes and you don’t want those portraits done, just say so.

With your group photos plan, plan, plan! Firstly don’t have too many of them. They are probably the ones you’ll look at the least (and the most time consuming on the day). When you’re thinking about who to have in them, maybe have bigger groups but less pictures.
In advance of the day I always ask couples for the actual names of each guest in each photo, and one or more of their bridal / groom party to help gather people. We don’t want you two lovebirds shouting guests when you could be sipping champagne!! Plan ahead and keep it stress free!
Oh and get some in between shots, they are super fun.

Do you need traditions?
Finally for these 5 Tips for a smooth wedding day it’s traditions.
A first dance? Rings? White dress or White suit? A bouquet throw? Speeches? A cake cutting? Favours? You don’t need any of it if you don’t want to. Just because other people have done them or your venue has suggested them, doesn’t mean you have to do it. As always, it’s your day!
Cake cutting can be awkward and I’m never sure how many cake photos make the living room walls but if you choose to have one, I’ll help. They can look cute after all.

Thanks for reading these 5 tips for a smooth Wedding Day.