How To Make Your Wedding Day Feel Less Rushed: Wedding Wednesday

Your wedding day is something you've been dreaming about for months or even years. After all of the planning, the big day finally arrives. Suddenly it feels like everything is happening at once.

One of the most common things couples say after their wedding is "The day went by so fast!"

While you can not slow down time, you can create a wedding timeline that gives you room to breathe, enjoy your people, and actually experience the moments you've spent so much time planning.

Here are some of my favorite tips for making your wedding day feel relaxed and not rushed.

Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need

One of the easiest ways to create stress on your wedding day is to underestimate how long everything will take.

Hair and makeup may take a little longer than expected. Someone may forget where they're supposed to be. Your dress may need a few extra minutes to button. These little delays can quickly add up.

Instead of planning everything down to the minute, build small buffers into your timeline.

Having an extra 10-15 minutes can make a huge difference in how you feel.

Consider A First Look

A first look isn't right for every couple but it can be a wonderful way to create more breathing room in your wedding timeline.

Seeing each other before the ceremony allows you to spend more time together earlier in the day and gives you the opportunity to take many of your couple portraits before the ceremony.

And don't worry, the first look doesn't take away from seeing each other walk down the aisle. Many couples tell me that they're still incredibly emotional when they see their partner during the ceremony and it show on the photos!

Create A Family Portrait List

Family portraits can quickly become one of the most time consuming parts of a wedding day if there is not a plan.

Before the wedding, make a list of the family combinations you would like photographed. Keep the list organized and give it to your photographer ahead of time.

It's also helpful to designate a family member or member of the wedding party who knows everyone. They can help gather people when it's time for portraits.

Don't Forget To Schedule Time Alone

This is one of my favorite wedding day tips! Schedule 5-10 minutes where you and your new spouse can simple be together. Take a breath, eat some food, grab a drink, and enjoy the fact that you are married.

Trust Your Vendors

You've spent months choosing the people who will help make your wedding day happen. Now it's time to hand the reigns over and let them take over.

Your photographer knows how to work efficiently while still creating beautiful images, your planner knows how to keep the timeline moving, your DJ knows how to keep the reception flowing.

You don't need to be responsible for everything on your wedding day. Your only job should be to get married and enjoy it.

Leave Room For The Unexpected

Something will probably happen that wasn't part of the original plan.

Maybe it rains, maybe a boutonniere falls off, maybe your flower girl decides she does not want to walk down the aisle.

Some of the best wedding memories come from the unexpected moments.

Instead of worrying about making everything perfect, give yourself permission to enjoy whatever happens.

Remember What The Day Is Really About

At the end of the day, your wedding isn't about having the perfect timeline, the perfect flowers, or the perfect photographs. It's about marrying your favorite person.

Your wedding photographs will preserve the details, the emotions, and the people who were there to celebrate with you. But the most important thing is that you were actually present enough to experience those moments.

Build a timeline that gives you room to breathe, put your phone away, take a deep breath, look around the room, and hold your partner's hand.

Your wedding day does not need to be perfect to be unforgettable. It's the little imperfect moments that may be the ones you remember and cherish the most.