Ah, the wedding morning! For some couples, it’s smooth sailing. For others, it can be a whirlwind. Either way, a little planning can help ensure your wedding morning flows effortlessly so you can fully enjoy every moment. From that first sip of mimosa to putting on your attire, here are ten tips to help your wedding morning stay on track and stress-free!
1. DETAIL SHOTS
Have all your special items ready before your photographer arrives. Remove tags, steam garments, and gather everything together including stationery, shoes, jewelry, and any other details you want included. These getting-ready detail shots usually take about 20 minutes, so being prepared helps your photographer capture everything beautifully and efficiently!
2. HAIR & MAKEUP SCHEDULE
If you’re scheduling hair and makeup onsite, make sure everyone is finished and ready before photos (unless you want the getting-ready process captured). This helps the morning run smoothly and keeps group photos looking polished.
3. MATCHING OUTFITS
If you want photos of you and your bridesmaids or groomsmen in matching robes, pajamas, or t-shirts, make sure everyone is dressed in them beforehand and plan enough time to change into formal attire afterward.
4. GETTING DRESSED
If you want photos of getting into your wedding attire, make sure anyone helping you is fully dressed and ready. This is especially important for brides having their mom assist with the gown. Often, moms are scheduled later in the hair and makeup timeline, which can delay the getting-into-the-dress moment.
5. SECOND GETTING READY AREA
If one of you is getting ready offsite, let your photographer know in advance, especially if you want getting-ready photos. Most venues have two separate spaces, but sometimes one partner gets ready at a hotel or salon. Sharing all your wedding day locations ensures your photographer can be with each group and capture every special moment from the start.
6. TRANSPORTATION
Plan travel time carefully and communicate it clearly with everyone. Build in a little buffer for a relaxed pace, especially if parking might be tricky. If your wedding day involves multiple locations, consider hiring a shuttle for the entire party. If everyone is driving themselves, provide directions, parking info, and any other key details ahead of time.
7. FLORAL DELIVERY
Coordinate with your florist about when and where your flowers will arrive. This ensures bouquets, boutonnieres, and personal florals are ready for photos without any last-minute stress. Often florists bring flowers directly to the getting-ready rooms, but sometimes they’re left on a table, so it helps to have a designated person to organize them. Also, assign someone to help pin boutonnieres!
8. LUNCH PLANS
One often-overlooked detail on wedding morning is making sure everyone has lunch! Keep yourself, your wedding party, and any all-day vendors (photographer, videographer, etc.) nourished and hydrated so everyone stays energized and ready to enjoy the day.
9. FAMILY PORTRAITS
Communicate times, locations, and meeting spots with both your family and wedding party. Coordinate with your photographer ahead of time to set the best schedule for portraits, especially if some need to happen before the ceremony. Having a clear plan makes organizing groups easier and ensures everyone is in the right place at the right time.
10. MARRIAGE LICENSE
The timing for your marriage license can vary. Typically, it’s completed during the ceremony or immediately afterward. Before the ceremony, make sure a designated person is responsible for keeping your license safe and ready for your officiant. Also, if you wanted two specific people to sign as your witnesses, let them know ahead of time so they don’t wander away after the ceremony.
BONUS TIP
Plan who will bustle your gown and when. Knowing this ahead of time ensures your reception can start on time and keeps everyone smiling without delay.
A well-planned wedding morning lets you enjoy every little moment! At Jeannine Marie Photography, we work closely with our couples and their other vendors to help ensure a smooth wedding morning!