Over the years I’ve had the pleasure to photograph a wide range of weddings from small intimate weddings. To big European weddings with 350 guests, they’re all unique in their own way.
But, with any size wedding they all have similar challenges. – You plan for many months to make one day absolute perfect.
But are you stressing yourself out in the pursuit of the perfect wedding?
Here are six easy to follow tip to achieve a stress free wedding.
6 tips every bride should try for a stress free wedding
Hire a photographer that is suited to your personally and needs
It’s not completely about the photos.
How a photographer takes the photos and edits them does matter. Of course it does, otherwise you wouldn’t of been attached to their photos, right?
But their personality and what they can offer you also play a part as well.
What I recommend to my clients is to a book a wedding photographer that has a similar personality. They also offer wedding packages in their price range and their photography portfolio is appealing to them.
You don’t want to hire a photographer who is serious and very formal with their approach to wedding photography, just because you like their photos.
This is especially true, If you’re the kind of couple. Who enjoys a good laugh, is casual and laid back and wants their photographer to take candid photos all day.
After all you are to going to be spend all day with them, right?
The more you connect with your photographer. The better your wedding photos will turn out, it’s a fact.
That’s why an engagement session is a good way to get to know your photographer.
From experience my couples that didn’t have an engagement session. It took them a few hours on their wedding day to get use to the idea of someone taking their photos. It’s not a must, but something to consider
Everyone offers digital files these days. It’s up to you to work out If you NEED a wedding album or prints.
From my own experience. It’s 50 / 50. Some couples just get the digital files only. While other couples choose a wedding album and digital files.
Remember, you shouldn’t be pressured to purchase anything you don’t want or need.
Be selective who is allowed at the getting ready location
Will all handle stress differently. Be extremely careful as to who you invite at your getting ready location. Remember this is the start to very long day.
I’ve had the pleasure of photographing many weddings and, some weddings have started slow and quiet and only the bridal party were allowed at the getting ready location and maybe 1 or parents.
While others weddings have a cast of thousands at the home, and what may seem from an outsider perspective absolute Kaos.
Some brides and grooms prefer calm, while others thrive on the excitement of the day.
What type of bride or groom are you?
Assign tasks to others to lighten the load
Even if the wedding is small and simple, there is still a lot to do to make it run smoothly.
There is a reason why you have a bridal party. They are your most trusted friends or family and they will jump through hoops to help you.
Also family and friends who are not part of the bridal party. Are sometimes more than willing to help out and lend a hand as way to be part of your special day.
Some of these tasks could be:
- Chauffeur
- MC at the reception
- In charge of music
- At an outdoor wedding, help setting up chairs
- Making the wedding cake
- Decorations
- Making the Invitations or favours
- Bridal party refreshments
Let them help out and delegate tasks that you feel comfortable for them to do.
You can’t plan for everything. If something goes wrong shrug it off.
One sure way to stressing yourself out is by worrying about the most smallest of problems on your wedding day.
There are certain things that you do need to have in order. A backup plan is important to help you keep calm.
Have a backup plan for:
- Ceremony if it’s outdoors and rains
- Inside location for the group photos if it rains
- Alternate transport for the bride and groom
- If your photographer or videographer doesn’t show up
- Sickness (Headache and stomach pills)
- God forbid the person marrying you or a problem with the reception location
I’ve witnessed last minute stuff Ups. Things that are completely out of the bride and grooms control. Like wrong first dance music, PA problems at the ceremony, road closures, extreme rain and even a missing wedding dress.
Best thing to do is stay calm and use the people around you to help. You would be amazed at the lengths people will go to help out on a wedding day.
You are not your friends, so stop trying to be them.
Just because your friends had a big lavish wedding, you don’t need to copy them. Sure if you have similar tastes. Taking inspiration is ok, but you don’t need to out do them.
If they had 100 guests you don’t need to have a 200 – 300 guest wedding. The Same If they had the reception at a 5 star hotel.
Weddings can be very expensive. My advice would be to do what you think is right for the both of you.
So if this means that you invite less people or have a reception that is simple, such as a stand up reception instead of a 3 course sit down that’s fine.
It will mean you will have more money to spend on other things such as the honeymoon or a deposit for a house.
You can’t please everyone, So stop trying.
On your wedding day you most likely try to please a lot of people. Remember this is the one day in your life that it is all about you.
Make compromises, but not to make them in such a way that your wedding day is not yours, but someone else’s idea of wedding.
Invite who you want, get married somewhere that’s special to you. Have the reception at a venue that makes you happy.
But most of all make yourself happy first before anyone else.