HELP! How to Prevent Wedding Day Disasters | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

Let's talk frankly - on your wedding day, something is going to go wrong.  It always does. There's a lot of moving parts to a wedding, and sometimes things just happen. However, if you're prepared, this doesn't have to be a big deal.  Usually the issues that arise are minor, and easily remedied.  To help you get ready, here are some tips keeping things running smoothly!

Step ONe: Wedding Timeline

Part of having everything go smoothly is having a well thought out wedding timeline (which is why I meet with my clients two weeks before the big day to finalize the details!).  If you have a wedding planner, they'll be with you for this!  If you're doing it on your own, make sure you ask your vendors how much time they'll need for their part of your day. For example, talk to your hair & makeup artist.  How long will they need for each bridesmaid, the moms, and you?  Then build in a buffer (at least 15 min) in case things run over!  For photography, I prefer we build in 2 hours for pictures (1/2 hour for family formals, 1/2 hour for wedding party, 1/2 hour for the couple!, 1/2 hour for travel/buffer).  For photography, this can be split up throughout the day if you plan on sneaking out of the reception for sunset pictures or if you're doing a first look.  Be on the look out for a photographer's ideal timeline - coming soon to the blog!

step two: put someone in charge

When something inevitably goes wrong (again, its usually minor!), having someone in charge (who is NOT you) makes a big difference in how quickly it can be fixed.  If you've hired a wedding planner, they'll be the go-to on your big day to handle these issues.  If you didn't, put someone in charge!  This can be your Mom, your maid of honor, or just a close friend that you feel would be able to handle things.  Give that person all your vendors contact information, and make sure your vendors know who your point person is! This keeps you from adding more stress on your wedding day!

Step three: Pack an Emergency kit

The day of your wedding, you're going to need some things.  Pack a small bag in advance that has everything you might need.  If you don't end up using it - great!  If you do, you'll be glad you prepared.  Make sure your point person for the day is in charge of it!  

Here's some things to consider packing.  Depending on your day, you may need more or less!

• Sewing kit - many a button has fallen off during weddings!
• Stain removal pen - if something falls on your dress before the ceremony, you may need this
• Advil (or your preferred pain reliever)
• Hem tape & safety pins
• Tissues
• Deodorant wipes - works better & easier than a traditional deodorant when you have your dress on
• Wisps- remember those mini toothbrushes with breath fresheners on them?  Super helpful!
• Blotting paper - especially for a summer wedding
• Nail file
• Makeup - especially your lip color for touch-ups throughout the night
• KrazyGlue - you never know!
• Earring backs
• Antacid
• Hairspray (travel sized)
• Lens wipes - if you have glasses (cake getting on glasses is hard to get out!)
• Tampons or sanitary napkins
• Lint roller
• Hand sanitizer
• Tweezers 

If you don't want to purchase all these items and make your own bag, there are many different "Bridal Emergency Kits" you can buy online!  This is one of my favorites, but there are plenty of options to choose from!

STEP FOUR: RELAX!

The most important thing you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to relax.  Yes, some things may go wrong.  However, what's important is you marrying the love of your life!  Let go of the little things, and focus on being present with your new spouse!  Enjoy your day, and celebrate your relationship!  

PS: A massage a few days before your wedding can help too!

Thanks for reading!  If you have any other advice, please leave it in the comments!

Katie

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Three Steps to Avoid Wedding Day Amnesia

Three Steps to Avoid Wedding Day Amnesia

How to Remember the Most Important Day

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Wedding day amnesia can happen to anyone (grooms and brides!).  I definitely have a fuzzy memory of parts of my wedding, especially the busy, crazy, running around and having fun parts. After planning your wedding for a year or more, the day itself seems to fly by.  You'll be surround by friends and family, and having an absolute blast.  I think it is the overwhelming amount of emotions, events, and partying that can cause you to forget parts of your wedding day, or (like me) only remember a blurry, fuzzy version.  Planning time for yourself, and time for just you and your partner, will help to center you, and allow your mind to remember everything.

Step 1:

During the getting ready, step into the bathroom (or bedroom, or hallway, or anywhere you can get a moment of peace!), shut the door, look into the mirror, and take a deep breath.  You're really about to do this.  You're getting married!  Think about all the reasons you love your partner, and why you want to be with them forever.  Think about the proposal, and your first date.  Think about how excited you are to see them at the first look (or walking down the aisle).  Remember how you feel in the moment (also don't forget to eat - you don't want to pass out during the ceremony!).

Step 2:

After the ceremony, when you walk down the aisle, don't stop and talk to everyone.  There will be plenty of time to stop by everyone's table during the reception.  Take a short walk, just the two of you (your photographer will follow behind you getting awesome candid shots - but you can ignore them).  Talk about how crazy it is that you're married now.  Talk about your excitement for the reception.  Just be present and with each other.  When you've had a few minutes together, then go back into the craziness of family photos!

step 3:

During the reception, you can coordinate with your photographer to sneak away for a minute. It is a little easier to leave the party for a few moments if someone else (the photographer) is asking for you.  Take a few sunset/night-time shots, and then your photographer can go back inside and continue capturing the party, leaving the two of you to have another private moment to talk, or just be with each other.  Go back in and keep partying when you're ready!

Throughout the day, just take a moment.  Take a deep breath, and look around.  If you do these three things, it will help you remember the best parts of your day, and allow you to be fully present.  As an extra bonus, having those candid moments built into your timeline will make for awesome pictures!

Thanks for reading.  If you have questions, or just want to chat, contact me!

Katie

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