Your Wedding Day Schedule - Do leave space for surprises!

You’ve booked your photographer for the day... what's next?

I am sure you have your hands full with things to plan to make your day perfect! Don't be nervous, it will all fall into place as you go along. Many other lovely brides and grooms have been there before. And even if one or other little thing doesn’t quite to plan, it might be the little surprise that makes your day, even more memorable. And I’ll make sure to capture those moments as well as the "must-haves" for social media, your wedding album, your "thank you cards" etc.

...so no need to panic :)

Here’s an outline of what your big day might look like…Plan ahead, but leave some space for surprises!

9am: Sunshine baby, have an early morning!

After a sleepless night full of excitement, I think 9am is a great time to get your day started! Make sure to have your VIPs with you – your mum, bridesmaids and any helpers – ready to go – and enjoy a nice, light breakfast; maybe some cereal, orange juice (I can’t be without my German boiled egg) and of course some (not too much!!) bubbly to get into the swing of things. It is a celebration day at the and of the day after all!

10am: Makeup and Bubbly

Things might get messy – while in the end you will look lovely, it’s hard work at first. There will be powder and lipstick flying, so make sure you all slip into your bathing robes or “workman’s overalls” :) .

The bride is first up when it comes to bubbly, makeup and hair. For more than one reason:

1. You want to take away stress and make sure you are ready with no delays

2. You will have your room filled with the most important team:

- The bride – of course!

- Bridesmaids

- Makeup Artist

- Hairdresser

- Maybe your mum, she might be helping out with tasty homemade biscuits and tea to keep the crowd happy

- Photographer to capture all those exciting moments

Anyone stressing you out?? – have a bridesmaid keeping those ones away, it’s all about the calm before the… Party!

11am: Keep those vibes up with a sneaky snack!

One of my Graphic Design mates gave me the best tip ever: Always keep a little snack available to keep people balanced. There is nothing worse than low blood sugar for nerves & happiness! Trust me!

12pm: Getting dressed!

And now – the “first” big moment – You will get into your dress.

Just a little side tip: after you get engaged, your dress might be one of the first things you get. You will choose the one you fall in love with. Just like with your favourite food, don’t over-do it. Don’t keep wearing it, and don’t keep staring at it either. Put it somewhere safe and secure and only get it back out of its hiding place when it comes to fitting. Why? I know it’s sooo exciting, but the last thing you want is to fall out of love with you beloved wedding dress. Keep your dress as special and exciting as when you fell in love with it.

When getting into your dress make sure to have 2 – 3 people to mind your hair and makeup. You don’t want to smudge your lipstick! Clean hands policy is important here!

Photo time: There are plenty of options for “Snapshots” as well as documentary style images.

Do make sure to allocate some time to:

- Detail shots

- Group pics

- Special situations you don’t want to be missed

Remember, images are for different purposes:

- Your social media, Facebook, to share with your friends

- Your parents and close Family for prints

- Thank you Cards

- Wedding Photo Album

Don’t forget that your friends and family are getting ready now, so there is plenty of time for you to relax! And make sure you have everything you need:

Old, new, borrowed & blue!

1.15pm: To the church

Your man, his family and best man will be at the ceremony before you. If you are happy that we’ve got some good “getting ready” shots, let your Photographer go and spend some time with the nervous lads.

2pm: It’s all about “him”

To make sure everything is ready and waiting, let your Bridesmaids head to the ceremony first. It’s also great for you to know that they are waiting for you wherever you go next, and are your helping hands throughout the day. Another very important moment of your special day – Bride and Father arrive at the ceremony. These are great moments for your Album images and it’s such an important time for a bride too, to be lead to her new husband by her father.

While you are the most important person on the day, right with your Groom, let your Bridesmaids lead your way. No need to be nervous about getting lost on your way to the altar :) Bridesmaids can give a signal to your lovely flower girls and page boys

3pm: Best wishes!

This can be a rather chaotic time. Everyone wants to be the first to congratulate and there might be a crowd gathering and a bit of a crowded atmosphere. Make sure to get key names and faces over to your photographer so they know where to take shots and who is most important! A couple of “poses” with family, bride’s maids, best man is a must – commit 15 to 30 minutes.

This is also a good time to throw your bouquet, and watch your bridesmaids scramble to see who will be next!

3.30pm: Drinks and Couple shots

One of my favourite times being a guest & great for the couple to take some time for their very own, intimate & personal wedding shots. Drinks reception – first have a drink with your new husband; this is where the fun begins. While wedding guests have the opportunity to meet & mingle, the couple won’t be missed. Allocate about 30 – 40 minutes, depending on the venue. You might want to take shots inside if in a nice castle, manor or barn, and outside when there are gardens, fields or scenic lakes close by.

TIP: bring a pair of runners or wellies! You don’t want your shiny heels be all muddy and messy – but you also don’t want to miss fantastic photo opportunities just because they can’t be reached in shiny heels!

5pm: Time for canapés!

It’s still just early but sure, let’s have a bite to eat. Allow enough time for a bit of mingling and a couple of nibbles and sit down and relax.

6.45pm: Time for some talking

It’s Speeches time! Here’s the general order…

1. Father of Bride

2. Groom

3. Best Man

Have some yummy bubbly for toasts; it doesn’t always have to be champagne :)

For the little ones how about a milkshake, cocoa and cookies maybe?

7.15pm: A piece of cake

Cutting the cake might sound old fashioned, but it’s one of the most important wedding traditions up there with kissing the bride and throwing the bouquet. One the cake is cut (and eaten!), why not take some time to freshen up before you…..

8pm: …get out your dancing shoes

Your first Dance! Have you secretly taken dance training with your groom and prepared a show to dazzle your guests? Or are you winding it your favourite ballad? Anything goes really and what better way to get the party started! The first dance can be “served” with dinner, before or after.

8.30pm: Dinner Time!

Depending on earlier snacks & meals, consult with your wedding planner or caterer about the amount of food to be served on the night. Avoid long gaps between snacks and meals so that your guests never go hungry. Then again, if drinks are flowing the appetite might be directed towards beverages more than food? Canapés & a buffet style dinner might be a good solution, or if it’s a summer wedding, a BBQ to strengthen those dancing feet might be a winner! You might want to consider a midnight snack to keep everyone dancing all night! :)

10pm: Valuable time for friends & family

Try and spend some time during the evening with your friends and family, as they might not have seen a whole lot of you throughout the day. You will be extremely in demand!

…but then again, try not to lose your man either. It will be a busy night!

11.45pm: Have fun!

Enjoy & have fun the rest of your night …Mr and Mrs!

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