As a former bride-to-be, I know just how stressful the whole process of getting ready on the morning of your wedding can be. I've been there - there's such a huge lead-up to the big day, and, before you know it, you're waking up on your wedding day excited and nervous! There are people coming and going, there's a timeline to stick to, and combined with all your emotions about the day, it's easy to become overwhelmed. So to help you prepare for your wedding morning, and make it as chilled out, relaxing, and fun as possible, I've put together my top 13 Tips For A Calm Wedding Morning, that will allow you to be as present as possible. This is one set of tips to bookmark for sure!
1. Have an Early Night
First things first, go to bed early the night before! With excitement and nerves running high, it may take you a little bit longer to drift off, so head to bed a little bit earlier than normal to get a good night's sleep. Download a mindfulness app (we recommend Buddhify), have fresh sheets and a calming playlist to help you into a peaceful slumber.
2. Lay Out your Dress and Accessories
Have your dress hanging up and all your shoes (don't forget those pesky stickers on the base!) and accessories, lingerie and garter laid out, with the labels cut off all your pretty new things. You can do this for all the bridesmaids' dresses and accessories too. This means the photographer can take those all-important detail shots without having to disturb you, and it also means everything is ready for you to slip into when hair and makeup are complete. If you're bringing a small clutch with essentials, have this ready to go, too - we've got a handy checklist for this here.
3. Practice Mindfulness
If you practice mindfulness, meditation or yoga, carve out some time on the morning of the wedding for it - this is particularly helpful if you have a tendency to feel anxious.
4. Don't Forget to Eat
Although many brides say they feel too anxious or excited to eat in the morning, it really is important to have a hearty, healthy breakfast to get you through the day. A layered breakfast bowl with fresh fruit, natural yogurt and granola and a calming herbal tea will set you up nicely for the day. Try to avoid greasy and stodgy foods, as these can make you feel a little queasy and bloated if nerves are heightened. If you're staying at the venue or a hotel, make sure to order your brekkie for room service delivery the night before.
5. Treat Yourself
Make room in your schedule for some pamper time! Have a warm bath with oils (unless you have tan on!) and even flower petals if you wish. Light some candles, play some chilled music and take this moment to yourself, to really allow your mind get ready for the day. This should help if your mind is racing with all the details of the day to come. Take time to apply an all-over body moisturiser and allow it to dry in.
6. Plan your Hair and Beauty Timeline Wisely
Time your hair and makeup trials when you do them, so you know how long they'll take on the morning of. Double check how your hair and skin should be prepped before the hairstylist and makeup artists arrive, you may need to have hair washed the night before. Confirm the timeline with your hair and makeup artists, and brief your bridal party so there's no confusion about who goes first. Make sure you've tested any new beauty products before the big day to ensure there are no last-minute reactions!
7. Pack Some Pretty Prep Attire
Slip into pretty bridal PJs and a silk or cotton robe for getting ready in - not only will you feel fabulous, you won't be worried about having your picture taken in your usual scruffy pyjamas!
8. Choose Calming Scents
Have your favourite scent as a room diffuser, natural oil or candle ready to go, and as you’re getting ready, a lovely aroma will fill the space. After the big day, that scent will always take you back to that morning - an added bonus!
9. Hit Play on Some Sweet Sounds
Prepare a playlist of your favourite songs to listen to, or use our ready-to-go wedding morning playlist! For the morning of my wedding, I created a Spotify playlist with sweet love songs that had meaning to our relationship. Don't forget to pack a set of portable speakers in your overnight bag if not getting ready at home.
10. Get the Celebrations Started
Pop some bubbly and have a toast with your bridal party! But remember, avoid having too much, you have a long day ahead and you don't want all that excitement going to your head!
11. Ditch the Planning!
Confirm timings with your vendors and bridal party, such as hair and makeup artist arrival or flower and cake delivery a few days before, so you don't have to do any more planning or organising on the morning of the wedding. If you're planning on making items, arranging flowers or doing some of your own decor, make sure to have everything ready to go and in place before the big day. If you want to check the venue or set up, make sure it's the first thing you do, so it's out of the way. Have all the cash for any on-the-day vendors in envelopes ready to go and handed over to a trusted bridal party member, such as your chief bridesmaid or best man.
12. Have a Calming Inner Circle
If you're suffer with anxiety, try to only surround yourself with only people who have a calming effect on you. It could be your mum, your bridal party, or your other half. You may have suppliers (hairstylists, makeup artists, the photographer, videographer or wedding planner) in the room with you while getting ready, so it’s important to choose them carefully and make sure you have a great, natural dynamic with them. Ask any other visitors to be respectful of your time when getting ready with a note on the door. Nominate a trusted person in your bridal party or your planner to answer questions, to minimise last-minute panic and to take any pressure away from you, so you can enjoy your day in full.
13. Allow Extra Time
Make sure you allow for plenty of contingency time in your wedding day timeline. You don't want to feel rushed out the door if timings run over! We recommend that you aim to be ready an hour before your ceremony begins. This means you can be relaxed and ready to go while allowing time to enjoy being with your bridal party rather than rushing at the last moment. Schedule in extra time if doing a first look with your Mum, Dad or other half, handing out bridal party gifts or simply to have a glass of bubbly before you go! If you're travelling to your ceremony or doing a first look, make sure to leave in good time to allow for any traffic or issues along the way.
Don't forget to download our ultimate wedding morning playlist!
