Well, guys. It happened. I’m officially a wife! My wedding was this past weekend. It was something I will never forget and I’m in serious withdrawal from it – let’s just say that getting back to work after such an epic weekend was absolutely brutal!
My wedding went off incredibly smoothly and there is truly nothing I would change about the entire experience. With that being said, I did pick up a few tips that I would love to share with other brides right here.
1. Eat small meals: Look I am not someone who ever loses my appetite. I love to eat and I can do it under any circumstances.
On my wedding day, though? I was just not hungry. My advice to other brides would be to plan for several small meals throughout the day, as a full breakfast or lunch might feel like way too much for you. Have handfuls of nuts, cut up fruit, granola bars and other easy snacks on hand for this reason.
2. Go to bathroom before you get dressed: This one is sort of self-explanatory, right? It’s hard (really, really hard) to use the bathroom once you have a long, full skirt on. Here’s my advice: Hydrate yourself really, really well before the ceremony and be sure to use the bathroom before getting dressed. Then don’t take in too much liquid to avoid the stress of having to struggle in the bathroom.
3. Take a few minutes for yourself before the reception: One of the nicest parts of my wedding day came right before we were announced into the reception. My husband and I were taken to a “holding area” where we ate appetizers, took a few selfies and just reflected on the ceremony before we were ushered into the party. It was a great chance for us to just focus on ourselves and collect our thoughts.
4. Give yourself way more time than you think you need: I am so happy that I chose to wake up a few hours earlier than I needed to on my wedding day (and I love sleeping in, for those of you who don’t know.) It was so nice to have extra time to relax, watch a bit of TV and mentally prepare myself for the day. The last thing you want is to be rushing and stressed out on your big day.
5. Put your phone away: It’s so tempting to scroll through pictures of the event all night – but avoid this! Focus on every moment of the day because it’s gone in a flash. Also, waiting until the following morning to go through social media posts and photos is a great idea – it gives you something to look forward to once the excitement is gone!
6. Appoint a “bodyguard” for the day: Any bride tends to get swarmed on her big day – this is especially true for Indian brides, who often have huge guest lists at their wedding. I would suggest asking one person to help you deal with crowd control. A wedding planner or venue coordinator is ideal – this should be someone who can whisk you away when you start to feel overwhelmed by the crowd.
7. Pack some comfortable shoes: A pair of wedges will really come in handy on the day of your wedding! Stash them under your table so you’re prepared to slip into them when the dance floor opens or before you head to your afterparty.