Tips to ensure getting ready before the ceremony is smooth and stress-free!

The biggest nerves kick in before the ceremony, there's no lie in that.

It's also when so many things are happening at once, so many moving parts, so things can get hectic and add to your nerves if you're not prepared and have everything planned out properly.

You're getting hair and makeup done, you're needing shots taken of all the details like the rings and shoes and cufflinks...you have your celebrant coming in to say hi and collect your vows and you have all the rest of it like dress steaming, First Looks with your parents and of course, making sure you eat something because it's a long day!

So here are some tips on how to ensure this part of your day is smooth and calm, so that you start your Best Day Ever on the right foot.

Photography: Gusmank Photography

Give yourself plenty of time

Time is the biggest luxury and the strongest currency when it comes to your wedding day, particularly when you're getting ready. Rushing to fit everyone in for hair and makeup, throwing on your dress and racing down the aisle is no way to start your married life. But neither is waking up at the crack of dawn and being ready so early ahead of time that you're actually exhausted by the time the ceremony comes around.

When planning for your hair and makeup, dress/suit, and getting reading photos, aim to have it done about one hour before you walk down the aisle.

That hour before will allow you to take your time with any last minute touch ups, drinks with your bridal party, and honestly? Just some quality much needed time to decompress after being fussed about for the past several hours. A breather is so imporant and you'll be thankful that you had that down time.

No last minute add-ons

I knowwww some people change their minds last minute, and suddenly want their hair and makeup done too. And of course it's possible. It's just not ideal.

Your hair and makeup artist would have calculated the time they need to get everyone done by the desired time stipulated by your planner.

Photography starts at a certain time based on what hair and makeup are doing. Are you seeing what I'm saying? A wedding is a whole system with many moving parts, with each aspect relying on the start and finish times of the next.

Adding in another person (or more) into the mix not only means that your hair and makeup artist will be rushing to get everyone done in time, but you'd have photography on site earlier than they need to be, meaning they finish earlier than you want - unless you pay extra to stay later. The other option is to say yep, all good, let whoever wants last minute hair and makeup get it done...but you'll need to delay the whole ceremony - are you okay with pushing everything back? With stric curfews in place, it will also mean a shorter wedding the longer you push things back.

Brief the photographers

Okay this one might seem basic but you'd be surprised by how many couple's just expect the photographers to telepathically know what to shoot. Sure, they are professionals and of course will have their own list of must-have shots they think you're going to want to have. But they'll have NO idea that you want a photo with your great aunt who helped raise you...or that you are wearing an heirloom passed down by generations and you'd like it as a highlighted feature in your photos. You NEED to give list of must have shots to your planner or photographer so that when they arrive, they're briefed and ready to shoot. Not doing this will only end in tears later on when those moments are gone and you cant get them back.

Photography: Balimakna

Eat, but be smart about what you eat

Pleassssse eat! Nerves and excitement can get in the way of your appetite, I totally get that. But please eat something. It's a long morning and day before canapes are served in the late afternoon. It's a flurry of activity until you walk down the aisle, followed by numerous group photos which are all taxing and time consuming. Not eating will have you tired, irritated, feeling faint and overwhelmed. Now I'm not saying you need to dig into a triple cheese burger and fries (although - yum! if thats your meal go for it), but have something organised to nibble and graze on throughout the morning. Whether its a grazing board, satay sticks, rice paper rolls or other bite size morsels, choose items that are easy to eat, will fill you without being bloated and small enough in terms of bite size so you dont ruin your makeup or have it falling apart on your clothing.

If you're planning on having some alcohol while you get ready, then eating is particularly important...you don't want to stumble down the aisle.

Don't get wasted

Speaking of alcohol - drink in moderation. Another tip that may seem self explanatory but you'd be surprised what nerves can do to you!

It's an exciting day, everyone around you is on Cloud Nine, so it's easy to get swept away and open up a bottle to start the festivities early. Don't. Not only will starting too early get you absolutely sloshed by the time ceremony comes, but it'll ruin your photos, your memories and in all likelihood, coupled with the heat and dehydration you'll probably go to bed by 9!

I'm not saying don't drink. I'm saying pop the champagne when you're 90% done with hair and makeup...that'll give you a couple glasses and the liquid courage you need to walk down the aisle.

Coordinate your clothing

Okay not a majorrr one, but it does make a difference in terms of aesthetics. Having everyone dressed in either the same or coordinated clothing while getting ready really will make a difference in the photos once you get them. If everyone is wearing whatever they want, it'll actually clutter the images, making them seem messy with no real focal point. Cohesion in what you wear will make for beautiful photos, clean, streamlined and much easier on the eye.

Photography: Flipmax

Keep the vibes high

Music is a must! There have been times, not many, but a few, where there has been no music playing when the bride and her bridal party are getting ready. I mean, you don't HAVE to have music, but my gosh it makes a difference. Sitting in silence feels awkward and almost dismal. There's no joy or fun energy being shared. And I don't mean you need to have pumping dance music on either! You can have something serene and calming to help with the nerves. Whatever it is you choose, music instantly relaxes people and sets the tone for the day. You'll also find your makeup artist and their team will enjoy their work more and when it's time for photos? It's so much easier to let go and get your vibe on when theres a backing track to the best day of your life!

Proximity is key

Last but not least, keep the crew together.

Everyone and anyone who is a part of your getting ready squad should be in the same room, or at least close enough that you can yell out and they'd hear you. Whether it's your bridesmaids or mothers getting hair and makeup done, your maid of honor who's on steaming duty, or your brother who's in charge of getting the food and drinks going. If any of these people are not close by, running around trying to find them is SUCH a time waster and can really affect the timeline. Your planner can certainly help of course, but for every moment you take your planner away from setting up your wedding to find someone, the less time you're giving your planner to perfect the look of the day and how it's going to unfold.

Photography: Diktat

It may seem overwhelming with all these things to think about but I promise you it's not. If you're a naturally highly organised person, this will be an easy list for you to create and tick off as it gets done. If you're a more laid back type personality, simply pass this onto your planner - although they should already be considering all of this for you - and let them handle your start into forever.

xxx