Morning To Do's Before the I Do's

10/11/2024

Getting ready in the morning of wedding day is not as easy as setting the alarm, downing a cup of chai, then getting into your wedding dress. Here are some helpful insights from Tan Weddings & Events to help smooth the transition from sleepy head to newlywed.

With your fabulous planner, you will have discussed these with them and the venue prior to the wedding morning, so there should be no surprises.

The Getting Ready Space is Your Happy Place
This is where you have arranged to gather for hair and makeup and for getting dressed. Make sure the space can accommodate the number of people expected to use it - you'll actually spend quite a large percentage of your day in this space (about 5 hours, or 35% of a 14-hour event day), so it should be comfortable and inviting. It should have adequate lighting and ventilation.

The mood should be calm and meditative; it's your happy place. So think about who you want to share that space with. As much as you love your 2 year old nephew, do you want your sister-in-law changing his diaper next to your maid of honor getting their eyeliner penciled in? (We've seen it!) Please don't share your getting ready moment with anyone that will - dare we say it? - put a stink on your morning!

We can't stress it enough - with whom and how many people you are sharing your space with can make or break how your day will unfold.

Breakfast is the Most Important Meal
of the (Wedding) Day
Don't discount the need to feed! Emotions and adrenaline are already at an amped up level, so your body is burning more fuel than you realize. If you skip breakfast, and even lunch, then by the afternoon, you will not be at your optimum health to enjoy the rest of the day. Don't wait till you sit down for dinner to finally eat - that will be too little too late! And water, precious water. Hydrate early, frequently. As they say in Napa - "water first, wine later".

If you are getting ready at a venue with catering - a resort or hotel - then it is easy to arrange ahead for a platter of brunch items and beverages to be brought to you and your wedding party. If you are at an Airbnb or a venue without onsite food, then order ahead and have it delivered.

As they say at Tan Weddings & Events - "Nourish first, nuptials later".

No More Wardrobe Malfunctions
Before you even hop on that train, plane, our automobile to your destination wedding, make a checklist of garments, accessories, and footwear so you don't leave your essentials behind. Put wedding day attire in one specific bag, labeled, inventoried, ready for a party.

Traveling to the venue with your attire, even if in a suit bag, will inevitably become wrinkled. Arriving at least a day or two to the venue will afford you some time to let the garments air out. Hang them up in the bathroom (a steamy shower may do the trick), arrange for a steamer/iron from the venue, or hire a professional to give your dress or suit that special treatment to make you look your best on wedding day.

If you are donning a neck tie or bow tie, please do not wait until wedding day to go on YouTube to learn - figure it out beforehand, practice it! Nothing says novice more than a poorly tied tie, a sloppy pocket square, or the worst we've seen: not snipping off the threads that bind the vents on your suit!! Free your vents - those threads are from the tailor/manufacturer for packaging purposes - they are not part of your suit's design!!

What is a Flatlay Anyway?
It's a relatively new buzzword among wedding photographers that describe an arrangement of objects such as the rings, cuff links, shoes, invitation suite, and the movie tickets to your first date together, along with some florals that together create a time capsule photo.

If a flatlay is what you want recorded in your photo album, prepare these items, set them aside, put them in a box or a tray, and delegate a trusted friend or your planner to give to the photographer.

Do not make it an afterthought if this is important to you because you do not want to be scrambling for random things or regretting not to pack the locket your grandma gave you for this precicous photo.