Everyone has heard a story or two about a wedding day gone wrong. And while it’s impossible for every single detail to go according to plan, you can still try, right? Here are five common wedding day snags and what you can (try to) do to avoid them.
Wedding Day Disaster 1:
VEIL TROUBLE Don’t you love those long, flowing, chapel length veils? They make for gorgeous wedding photos and are so dramatic. The super-short birdcage ones are cute, and the fingertip veils are the perfect in-between. But, every veil comes with its own challenges. First, wait until you are done driving around (if you can) to put it on. Veil material clings to EVERYTHING. The longer it is, the harder it is to control (think wind, hugs, etc.). And be sure to ask for a few extra bobby pins from your hairstylist to anchor the clip to your head. That will help it stay put through all the hugs, or just in case dad steps on it while walking you down the aisle.
Wedding Day Disaster 2:
THE DRUNK BRIDE OR GROOM Every bride or groom deserves a glass of bubbly to help relax and calm the nerves on their wedding day. It’s a celebration after all, so let’s celebrate! But with all those nerves, you might forget to eat, or worse yet, forget to drink any water. Besides, wedding dresses are not known for keeping you cool. So be sure to drink a few bottles of water, even in the cooler months, to help you avoid any embarrassing moments at the ceremony and reception.
Wedding Day Disaster 3:
TRIP DOWN THE AISLE Every bride fears tripping on the gown walking down the aisle. Even with the best seamstress and remembering to wear your wedding day shoes to the alteration appointments, those gorgeous heels can catch the edge of the dress. What you can do to help is practice kicking up a little when you walk, which will help the dress float up and away from your toes. Plus, it can actually look nicer in photos by adding a little float to your dress as you walk.
Heather Hughes Photography
Wedding Day Disaster 4:
WARDROBE MALFUNCTION Whether you spend thousands of dollars, or get a bargain at a consignment store, we all want to look AMAZING on our wedding day. Here are a few things to watch out for when it comes to your carefully selected wedding attire. Grooms: Check your rentals at the store! So many times the sleeves are too long or the pants are too short. Or worse, the shoes are too tight. It only takes a minute. Be sure to relay this to your groomsmen too! Brides: Attempt to have your dress done months ahead of time so you can try it on beforehand and check how it fits. While not ideal, you will still have a little time to make adjustments a month or two before if necessary. If you have straps or sleeves, use the hanger strings until the last minute so you don’t stretch them out, and then be sure to cut off the strings before walking down the aisle. The last thing you want to see are white strings in your armpit! You can always have new ones sewn back in if you need them.
Wedding Day Disaster 5:
WEAK BUSTLE For those of you new to the term, “bustling” is when the long train of the wedding dress is shortened. A bustle is created by sewing in a few hidden ribbons or loops and is typically used before the first dance to allow for tangle-free dancing. Most bridal shops would agree, ribbons hold much better than loops or buttons. So if you go with loops or buttons, MORE is better. And be sure to wait to bustle until after you are done climbing in and out of cars since scooting across the seat can tear them. Someone stepping on the dress on the dance floor can do the same thing though! For a lighter destination dress, at least three to five loops work best. For heavier dresses and longer trains? Go for the ribbons.
Heather Hughes is the CEO of Heather Hughes Photography. Williamsburg based, Heather Hughes Photography travels all over the Richmond area, from Washington, D.C. to the Outer Banks, NC and west to Charlottesville, Virginia, to capture stories of love and laughter for her clients. Contact Heather at 757-870-4006 or on her website: www.heatherhughesphotography.com.