Avoiding Panic on Your Wedding Day

There's nothing you can do that will guarantee a panic-proof wedding, but there are a number of things you can do ahead of time that could help you to avoid panic and stress and just MAYBE, have a great time at your wedding without worry.


First of all, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again: don't sweat the small things.


Don't waste precious time and energy worrying about insignificant details. No one will notice the bridesmaids shoes don't exactly match their dresses or that the table linens are a slightly darker shade of ivory than the napkins. The morning of your wedding, you might want to just take a breath and realize that something will probably not go as planned, no matter how carefully you've planned your day. If and when that happens, it's not going to ruin the day because the important thing is that you are marrying the man of your dreams. Later, you'll laugh at the things that may not have gone right.


DELEGATE DELEGATE DELEGATE


Don't be afraid to assign responsibilities! You shouldn't have to worry about anything on your wedding day! Make sure someone ELSE is responsible for everything, such as checking that the vendors are on; bringing any clothes, hosiery, any other belongings you need from home to the ceremony site and then from the ceremony site to the reception site; paying the vendors; moving items from the ceremony to reception such as the guest book; passing out the bouquets and boutonnieres; carrying gifts; and dealing with anything else at the reception that must be retrieved (like photos you have put on display, the card box, etc.). If you don't have a coordinator, and if you have a friend who is willing, ask her to be in charge of making sure everything goes smoothly. Give her lists of everything she needs to know.


MAKE LISTS AND MORE LISTS


Lists are lifesavers for a wedding. Be sure others have them also. Go over them with your bridesmaids and family members. Checklists could include:


1. A list for the photographer and the photos that you want taken is a MUST! (bride with mom, MOH, grandma; groom with dad, brother, etc.)


2. Everything that needs to be delivered to the ceremony and reception sites.


3. Everything that needs to be delivered from the ceremony site to the reception site when the ceremony is over.


4. Your vendors, their numbers, what time they are due, how much they need to be paid, etc.


5. Everyone's responsibilities


6. Everything that must be picked up and taken home by family members when the reception is over.


TAKE AN EMERGENCY KIT


The bride should always be prepared!!! Your emergency kit, outside of makeup for touchups, could include: lots of tissue; non-allergic makeup remover (for any runny mascara); hair products such as gel, hair spray, combs, pins, brush; tampons; pads; painkillers; stain removing sheets; needle and thread; safety pins; Band-Aids; pantyhose; toothpaste; mouthwash; breath mints; deodorant; lotion; and extra car keys!


BE SURE TO EAT AND DRINK (WATER!)


Some brides do not include plans to eat before the ceremony and end up NOT eating anything, which could cause you to feel faint at your wedding! Plan a time, maybe when your bridesmaids are getting ready, to have some thing easy to eat. Maybe a sandwich tray with fruit and vegetables. Put someone in charge of delivering it. And always have a bottle of water on hand. Not only must you stay hydrated on your wedding day so you don't tire easily, but it will also keep your skin hydrated!


AND SOME FINAL SUGGESTIONS:


Dedicate time to do your homework before your wedding. Make detailed lists and check them twice. If you can take a number of days off before the wedding, take what you can!


Have your vendor payments all ready in sealed envelopes and have someone in charge of giving them to the vendors.


But again, try to enjoy enjoy enjoy. Do everything that you can beforehand that will allow yourself to simply have fun on your wedding day. Try not to worry about any of those little details that don't go as planned. Those could turn into cherished moments later. After all, it's the best day of your life.