5 Tips for a STRESS FREE wedding day

Every couple wants to enjoy their wedding day with as little stress as possible, but not everyone knows how to accomplish this. Between getting ready, wedding day jitters, out of town guests, and managing vendors, having a relaxing wedding day can be daunting. Never fear, today we will discuss my top 5 tips for having a stress free wedding day. Who am I and why should you trust me? Well, I am Allesha. I have been working in the event industry since 2009 and have found that if you do these 5 things, your wedding day will be smooth like butter, the kind of day you will look back on with a smile.

1. Build buffer time into your timeline. Avoid the urge to micromanage every minute of the day and rely on general time windows for each activity. For example, if your ceremony is expected to take 15-20 minutes, allot 30 minutes for the ceremony. That way if it starts late, you can avoid the entire timeline being pushed back. Having buffer time allows for necessary flexibility for your vendors, weather, late guests, etc. Trust, me, if you do one thing to help your day, do this.

2. Develop a solid rain plan. I do not care if you live in the desert and it rains only once a year; Murphy's Law says that day could very well be your wedding day. Talk with your coordinator or planner and scout out a rain safe alternate ceremony area. If you are having a tent reception, make sure to rent the sidewalls with a plan to put them down. Consider procuring umbrellas, and grab a couple of clear ones for pictures! Please do not let rain ruin your mood, embrace it with a plan and try and get some rain pictures if possible, they always turn out magical.

3. Make all your final payments before your wedding day and organize tips beforehand. The last thing you want to deal with on your wedding day is writing a check or making last minute Zelle payments. Save yourself the headache and the week before your weddihng, ensure that every vendor has been paid. If you have decided to tip any of your vendors, get out cash and put each tip in an envelope with their name and service on the front. The day of your wedding have your coordinator or someone you trust hand out tips as the vendors arrive, instead of waiting until the end of the night.

4. Get photos done early or have a strict photo schedule. Too many times I see couples opt to do photos during cocktail hour and then that 1 hour turns into 2 of photos because there are too many people, no plan, and an unrealistic explanation of what can be done in an hour. To mitigate this: a) have a detailed shot list that has been discussed with your photographer in advance. b) assign a family member to help coralle necessary guests for pictures. c) take as many photos prior to the ceremony that you can. If you are doing a first look, follow it up with couples portraits, wedding party pictures, and family photos. If you are skipping the first look do as many family photos and wedding party photos as possible before the ceremony and during cocktail hour do group shots as a couple and then your portraits.

5. Hire a good coordinator. This has got to be one of the best things couples can do to keep their wedding day on track. Check reviews, ask questions about risk management during consulations, let them know your concerns in advance so they can be prepared for anything on your wedding day. A good coordinator will not only keep your day on track, but keep YOU on track. They are able to manage vendors with ease, handle unexpected mishaps with a level head, and ensure that you and your family focus attention on enjoying the moment instead of fretting over the behind the scenes details.

   
   

Remember that your wedding day is a celebration that should be filled with JOY. I implore you to implement these 5 tips into your wedding plans and I promise that your day will unfold beautifully without you sacrificing your sanity.