The wedding morning is a whirlwind of excitement and wedding day anticipation, marked by meticulous planning and a rollercoaster of emotions. From a planning perspective, the key is a well- choreographed timeline. Emotionally, it's a mix of nerves and joy as the significance of the day dawns upon the couple. It's a moment where the culmination of months of wedding day preparations and a lifetime of dreams come together. Here, we provide advice for a calm wedding morning where you are truly present.

1. Don’t try to be in charge of everything

Entrusting the wedding morning coordination to a trusted friend, family member, or professional coordinator allows you to offload stress and focus on enjoying the moment because the wedding morning is a precious time for bonding with your bridal party and loved ones.

Firstly, managing the logistics and details of the wedding morning can be overwhelming. Secondly, a designated coordinator can pay attention to every detail, ensuring everything is in place and runs according to the plan. Additionally, in the event of unexpected issues or emergencies, a coordinator can step in to address and resolve them. Also, coordinators can serve as the point of contact for vendors, handle deliveries, and manage vendor-related issues, allowing you to focus on your preparations. Thirdly, coordinators are skilled in keeping to the timeline, they will ensure you stay on the wedding day schedule. Finally, wedding coordinators and assistants often provide emotional support. They understand the emotional significance of the day and can offer reassurance and a calming presence.

The coordinator will create a wedding morning schedule based on your specific ceremony time, location, and the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen you have. It's important to have buffer time to account for any unexpected delays and to allow for a stress-free and enjoyable wedding morning.

While it's natural to want to be in control of every aspect of your wedding, having a dedicated coordinator or trusted individual to handle the morning logistics can help you strike a balance between ensuring everything goes smoothly and enjoying the magic of the wedding day. It's an investment in your peace of mind and the quality of your wedding memories.

2. Include heartfelt wedding morning rituals

Wedding morning rituals hold immense importance as they mark the beginning of a new chapter in a couple's life, fostering emotional connections and providing moments of reflection and unity. On the wedding morning, couples often exchange heartfelt gifts as a symbol of their love and commitment, creating an intimate moment.

The first look, a cherished tradition, is a private and emotional encounter where the bride and groom see each other for the first time, capturing a genuine and heartfelt reaction in photos. Blessings and prayers are an essential part of the morning, offering spiritual guidance and well-wishes, as family and friends come together to invoke love and happiness for the couple's journey ahead.

A gift exchange on a wedding morning is a special moment that often takes place before the ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to each other. These gifts can vary widely, from personal love letters to meaningful jewellery or keepsakes. The exchange is a way for the couple to express their feelings, offering a tangible reminder of their love on the most important day of their lives.

A first look is a modern wedding tradition where the bride and groom choose to see each other in their wedding attire for the first time before the actual ceremony. It typically takes place in a private and intimate setting, away from the eyes of guests. The moment is orchestrated by the photographer, capturing the raw and emotional reactions of the couple as they lay eyes on each other. This pre-ceremony encounter allows the couple to share a private and meaningful moment, express their emotions, and calm their nerves in a more relaxed atmosphere.

The first-look tradition can be customized and expanded to include various meaningful variations. For example, in addition to seeing each other as a couple, the bride and groom can have individual first looks with their respective bridal parties. This allows for capturing reactions and creating memorable moments with close friends. Also, the bride or groom can have a special moment with their parents before the ceremony. This can be emotional and touching, as parents often play a significant role in the wedding day.

For couples who share strong bonds with their siblings, a first look with brothers and sisters can be a heartwarming addition to the day. If the couple has children from previous relationships or their own, a first look at their children can be a beautiful way to symbolize the blending of families. Sharing a moment with grandparents can be particularly poignant, as they may have witnessed generations of family weddings.

Blessings and prayers on a wedding morning are a touching and often spiritual or religious tradition that carries deep significance. In many cultures, it is customary for the bride and groom to receive blessings from their elders, such as parents, grandparents, or respected family members. These blessings are a way to invoke good fortune, happiness, and a harmonious life together. Elders often offer words of wisdom and well wishes for the couple's journey ahead. Also, blessings and prayers can be shared in private moments between the bride and groom or with close family members. It is a time for reflection and meditation, connecting with a higher power, and expressing gratitude for the love and commitment shared between the couple. These blessings and prayers emphasize the spiritual and emotional aspects of the wedding day, reminding the couple of the sacred and lasting nature of their commitment. They symbolize the hope for a strong, loving, and enduring marriage.

3. Have a nice wedding morning breakfast

While you might not feel hungry because of all the excitement, eating on the wedding morning is crucial for maintaining energy levels, staying focused, and preventing exhaustion later in the day. Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar levels and added stress, so nourishing your body ensures you're physically and emotionally prepared to fully enjoy your wedding day. Wedding morning breakfast is more than just a meal, it's a meaningful part of the wedding day experience. It sets the tone for the day, fosters connections among the bridal party, and ensures that everyone is ready to participate in the celebration ahead.

Couples often choose to personalize the breakfast experience by incorporating elements that reflect their personalities or interests. This can include customized place settings, special toasts, or decorations that tie into the wedding theme. The timing of the wedding morning breakfast has to be carefully planned to ensure that everyone has enough time to eat, get ready, and make any final preparations before departing for the ceremony venue. Beyond nourishment, breakfast on the wedding morning provides a sense of calm and relaxation. It's a brief respite from the excitement and anticipation, allowing everyone to savour the moments before the ceremony.

4. Take your time when getting ready for a wedding

Having a realistic wedding morning getting-ready routine is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly and stress is minimized. Aligning the bride and groom's routines helps maintain a synchronized schedule, allowing them to share moments and connect before the ceremony, which enhances the overall wedding day experience. Let’s walk through the bride’s and groom’s wedding morning routine, focusing on the similarities and differences.

Both the bride and groom typically wake up early to begin their day. They have a moment for themselves, have breakfast or meet with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Then hair and makeup professionals arrive for both, ensuring a polished appearance. You can also have breakfast while getting ready if the schedule is tight. But don’t exclude emotional moments and rituals to bond with your closest ones. Finally, pre-ceremony photos are taken with bridal parties, capturing candid and memorable moments.

The key difference between the bride’s and groom’s wedding morning routine is that the bride's morning routine often involves more time for hair, makeup, and dressing due to the intricacies of her attire. Also, bridesmaids and groomsmen play different roles in each of their morning routines. While the morning routines share common elements, they are also tailored to the specific needs and traditions associated with each role, making each experience unique and meaningful for both the bride and groom.

Lately, there’s been a growing tendency for the bride and the groom to get ready together, in contrast to spending the wedding morning separately and not seeing each other until the first look. It fosters a sense of closeness and shared anticipation. During this time, the couple often helps each other with their wedding attire, from zipping up dresses to fastening ties. It provides an opportunity for quiet moments, shared laughter, and meaningful conversations before the day's whirlwind begins. Getting ready together can create beautiful and lasting memories, as the couple supports and prepares each other for the momentous occasion of their wedding.

5. Be present and relax

The key to a serene state of mind on a wedding morning is creating a relaxed atmosphere and surrounding yourself with the people you love and trust. Don’t underestimate the time for personal moments on the wedding morning. Bonding on the wedding morning can create beautiful and lasting memories. Encourage open conversations by sharing stories, anecdotes, or memories related to your friendship or relationship. This can create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. Raise a glass and share a toast to celebrate the day. It's a simple yet meaningful gesture that adds a touch of festivity and unity. Remember that the wedding morning is not just about looking good, it's also about feeling good and sharing meaningful moments with your closest friends and family. These bonding activities can help set a positive and intimate tone for the day, making it even more special and memorable.

Remember that a relaxed and stress-free wedding morning starts on the night before. Adequate rest is crucial. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule in the days leading up to the wedding to ensure you're well-rested. Minimize screen time before bed, as the blue light emitted from screens can interfere with sleep. Consider reading a book or practising relaxation techniques instead.

If you have work-related responsibilities, do your best to complete them well before bedtime and take a few days off work before the wedding if you can, so your mind is not preoccupied with work- related stress. Also, both caffeine and alcohol can exacerbate anxiety, so consume them in moderation in the days before your wedding. Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining your energy and mood. Eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water. In times of stress, remind yourself of the reason you're getting married—the love and commitment you share with your partner. Focus on the significance of the day, rather than minor details.

6. Capture the wedding morning memories

Capturing the moments of the wedding morning through photography is essential for preserving memories of this special time. Allocate enough time for photography without feeling rushed. Have a clear and open conversation with your wedding photographer about your preferences, must-have shots, and the overall mood you want to convey in the morning photos. Share any specific ideas or sentimental details you want to include. If possible, choose a well-lit room with plenty of natural light for getting ready and keep the room clutter-free to create a visually pleasing backdrop for photos. Ask your bridal party to keep their belongings neatly organized. And don’t forget that the wedding morning should be enjoyable and memorable, so don't be overly concerned with perfection, embrace the moments as they unfold.

Author: Renāte Berga

Photos: Blanco Razon, Alina Postoronka