I love football season! And we’ve been watching a lot of football lately. Emmie Lynn seems to like listening to daddy cheer. Ha ha. But every season without fail, Mitch and I watch a receiver miss an easy pass when he’s right near the goal line. It’s so painful to see. I am not saying I could withstand the extreme pressure those tremendous athletes are under let alone stay focused when my brain is screaming, “A huge man is about ready to crash into you and smash you to the ground.” Nope. I couldn’t make the score either. BUT I know they have the ability, they just fail to do first things first right then. They are thinking of the end zone when they first need to be thinking about catching that ball. You can’t score without the catch.
Why do I tell you that? Because brides are a lot like those football players when it comes to the day of their wedding. They are so close to the end zone they can almost see the honeymoon, but the opportunity exists for the ball to get dropped before the score. That’s why I spend time with every couple and cover all the ins and outs of their upcoming, awesome day. I want to make sure they don’t forget these Must Do’s before they say “I Do”.
Make these Must Do’s part of your game plan:
1. Eat and drink.
Every bride on the day of her wedding needs to eat and drink. This seems simple enough, but too many brides forget this basic requirement. A bride needs to take the time to nourish and hydrate her body or the results later in the afternoon and evening will not be good.
According to Women’s Health, “On average, adult women need between 1,600 and 2,400 calories a day. Women who are more physically active may need more calories.” Take a guess as to whether or not your wedding day counts as a “physically active” day. Yep. I don’t see many brides lounging around with nothing to do and nowhere to be on The Big Day. But I do see, all too often, a bride who has not taken the time to get the calories and hydration she needs on one of the busiest days of her life.
To find out how many calories and which vitamins and minerals you need each day, check out this article written specifically for women on Help Guide.com.
The amount of water you drink that day (and every day) is also very important. The Mayo Clinic recommends that women drink 11.5 cups of water each day. Don’t forget these must amounts should be increased if exercising or in hot or humid temperatures (hello, summer weddings). Water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every cell in your body relies on proper hydration to survive.
Undesirable side effects pop up out of nowhere when a bride hasn’t taken the time to eat and drink water throughout the day and evening. Headaches, fainting, cramps, and just not feeling up for the demands of the long day are all things you can avoid by doing Must Do #1 – eat and drink.
2. Don’t forget the Must Do of Good Communication.
One Must Do before you say “I do” is to communicate the schedule to everyone who has a role to play on The Big Day. And yes, getting your photo taken is a role to play. It’s difficult to photograph the bride and her parents if the parents are not there. You can work around missing people often, but when the number of missing persons grows too large brides get frustrated. Give each person a schedule. They are excited to be there, just let them know when.
Brides Magazine says their number one “secret to a stress-free wedding day” is scheduling ample time for hair and makeup with your bridesmaids. This kicks the day off with lots of smiles and laughter. Adding plenty of time helps you feel relaxed and surrounded by love and support. A handy tip is to have your stylist start on the bridesmaids while you begin with your makeup.
The communication of schedules applies to your vendors too. Even though they are professionals who do a DJ gig every weekend, tell them when you expect them to set up and tear down and what time you anticipate them announcing your joyful entry. Make sure your florist knows when to arrive with the flowers. You want all of those pretty florals in your photos.
Assume they don’t know. Tell them.
Allow for some flexibility in your schedule too. Build in some margin and buffer. It’s okay if you’re running a little behind. Your photographer will know how to get it all back on track if something came up or hair and makeup took longer than anticipated.
Sometimes things happen that are out of their control, but at least communicate the schedule you desire or I encourage my brides to share the detailed schedule we create together months in advance.
3. Make sure you have a calming influence by your side all day.
If you’re like me, you’ll never throw a gathering this large ever again. Ever! Because of that small fact, your wedding day has the potential to feel a little stressful.
Your wedding day is a giant, amazing, big-whopping deal! A wonderful, spectacular, beyond-fun, time-of-your-life day so make sure to have a special friend or vendor whom you trust to keep you calm as the day flies by.
Be intentional about who you surround yourself with on your Big Day…think someone who makes you smile. Someone who lowers your blood pressure and makes you feel relaxed. This is not the day for your friend who thrives on drama and the one who’s always late for everything. Ask a friend, who is not in the wedding party, to be that calming person for you. She helps you and communicates with the wedding party and the family. What an honor for that friend to know you see them as a huge support and help in your life. Your rockin’ rock for your Big Day.
A calming influence is also a great trait to keep in mind when you select your vendors too. Does the caterer seem frazzled? Is the photographer used to rolling with the inevitable curve balls?
I see so many brides who need a “right hand man” on her Big Day. So I created what I call “My Personal Wedding Guide.” A helper for the bride during planning and on the Big Day. She’s not as expensive as a Wedding Planner, but worth every penny.
If you were headed down the Congo River and you’d never been there before – you aren’t sure what hazards lie ahead and how to avoid the scary things AND how to not to miss the great sights – you’d need a guide. Wedding planning is a bit like a wild river ride in a foreign land. A guide is a huge help.
If you’d like to know more about this, we can talk.
No matter how you choose to approach it, please don’t forget this final Must Do before you say your “I do”. You will be able to enjoy all the wonderful, fabulous parts of your Big Day better if you have someone who knows their role is to be your rock and your soft blankie for your amazing day.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding day. It will be a day you will treasure forever. As you near the end zone of all the planning you’ve done so far, please don’t forget these Must Do’s before you say “I do”.
You’ll be glad you did. Score!