Five Bits of Advice to Make Your Wedding Day Easier

It’s been years since I last made a blog post, but I don’t want to write posts just to satisfy an algorithm. I’d rather share something when I actually have something to say.

The wedding industry has changed a bit since then, but after over 15 years of filming weddings, I’ve gained enough experience to know what makes a day run smoothly, and what doesn’t.

Being involved in so many people’s special days with their forever person has given me a few thoughts that I feel might help you get the most out of a day that will soon become a blur. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you make the day uniquely yours, and that you and your guests have a great time.

So, no long-winded intro just to get my word count up. Let’s get straight into it.

1. Make sure you gel with your photographer and videographer.

You spend so much of your day with them. They’re not only responsible for capturing your forever memories; they’re also an integral part of your day, interacting with your guests and family. Make sure you vibe with them on some level. And, of course, make sure you love their style. Take a good look at their work and imagine yourself as the subject.

2. Don’t feel like you have to do certain things just because they’ve been done at other weddings.

There’s no such thing as “I feel this is what we were supposed to do, so we did it.” There’s no arbitrary checklist you need to follow just because that’s what always happens at weddings. Make it your own and make it personal to your story.

Couples often ask me, “Should we include this, or should we have that?” I sound like a broken record, but I always answer the same way: “If it’s important to you, then do it.”

3. Stop and smell the roses.

Take a breath and soak in the day. It really does go by so quickly. Don’t stress too much over the little details. The day is here, and what will be will be. Be present.

When will you next be surrounded by so many people you love? And remember to spend quality time with each other. Not just physically, but emotionally too. This is a day you’ll remember forever, so share it all.

4. Have a later ceremony.

Early or midday ceremonies are a thing of the past, and for good reason. If it’s logistically possible, I’d recommend having your ceremony any time from 3:30 pm onwards, up until just before the reception.

This allows you to feel more rested because you can start your day a little later and ease into it, rather than waking up and immediately going, going, going.

Your guests won’t have to wait around too long between the ceremony and reception, and you’ll save money on photography and video because you won’t need your photographer and videographer for as long.

5. Get your formalities out of the way early.

Too many times, I’ve seen formalities finish late, leaving less than one or two hours for the party. Suddenly, before you know it, the dance floor is starting to rock, and then all of a sudden, there’s an announcement from the DJ: “Last song of the night!”

I always suggest starting the night with the cake cutting and a first dance, followed by a short dance set. This warms everyone up and gets the night started with some energy.

And always insist on getting your speeches done early, while keeping each speaker within a five-minute timeframe. Nothing makes the night drag and slip away faster than too many long speeches late in the evening, leaving less time for people to dance and mingle.

That’s all for now. Of course, more of these thoughts will come to me over time, but that can always be an updated blog post.