“How To Prepare For A Stress-Free, Effortless Wedding Morning”
- DELEGATION IS KEY
When the morning of your wedding arrives and all the planning is (finally!) in the rearview, it’s time to relax and enjoy those morning preparations with your best friends. So, if anything remains undone or if any issues arise, it’s time to hand them over to someone else.
Delegation is a key part of a stress-free wedding day. I know it’s hard to hand over the decorating duties and all of the last-minute things that need to be done, but it is important to relax the morning of your wedding. The rest of the day is going to be fast-paced and filled with a flurry of emotion. Take full advantage of this downtime!
- PLANNING FOR FIRST LOOKS AND GIFTS
Do you want to share a “first look” with your dad or any other person who plays a huge role in your life? Will you and your groom be exchanging gifts during this time? If so, who would you like to deliver them? Are there certain women in your life who would appreciate seeing you get into your gown? Some brides want very few people around for this moment. Other brides love having aunts and grandmas present! It’s totally up to you! The key is to plan for and schedule a time for each of these little moments so you don’t feel rushed for time.
- PHOTOGRAPHING THE DETAILS
Rings, shoes, and jewels…the whole day begins with the details! This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day because it allows me to prepare and get my creative side warmed up for the rest of the day. The details set the stage for the look of the whole wedding, and I love having ample time to stylize and photograph everything — from the dress to the jewelry to grandma’s handkerchief! Gather any details you have before your photographer arrives so that they can walk in, say hello, give you a big hug, and then begin right away.
It’s also a good idea to refrain from putting any jewelry on until you’re in your gown and ready for photos. I love shooting all of those final steps once you’re in your gown! Speaking of the gown, if your gown is on a plastic hanger, try to make a note to bring a wooden hanger along for the picture’s sake. But if you forget, no big deal! I’m a pro at finding wooden hangers at venues.
- PACKING IN ADVANCE. By packing in advance you can ensure nothing is forgotten in all the excitement. Make sure you don’t forget to pack your:
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- Dress
- Veil/hair pieces
- Rings (all three)
- Shoes
- Bouquet & boutonniere
- Jewelry
- Perfume
- Invitation suite
- Something old, new, borrowed, and blue
Dennis Mock is a wedding and portrait photographer serving the greater San Diego area.
