By Brandon West, The Inn at Blackstone and The Berkeley Hotel
You’ve been planning for your wedding day for months on end, if not longer. Every detail, from the flowers to the cake, has been carefully chosen by you and your significant other to create the perfect day. The last thing you want is for something to go wrong! To help ensure the big day is everything you’ve dreamed of, here are five essential tips for a stress-free fairy tale wedding.
- Delegate Responsibilities
Trying to manage everything on the wedding day is a sure way to stress yourself out. Instead, delegate tasks to trusted friends, family members, or the wedding party. Assign specific responsibilities, like keeping track of the rings, managing the photo schedule, or ensuring the flowers are in place, to people you trust and who are reliable.
Make sure they know exactly what’s expected of them and have all the information they need. By sharing the load, you’ll be free to enjoy the day without being bogged down by logistics. Loved ones will be more than happy to help, and it allows you to focus on what really matters—celebrating your love.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
With all the excitement, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. But remember, you need to feel your best to fully enjoy the day. Start the morning with a balanced breakfast that includes protein, healthy fats, and some carbs to give you sustained energy. Keep snacks on hand, like nuts or fruit, to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Staying hydrated is just as important. Dehydration can lead to headaches, fatigue, and irritability. Things you definitely want to avoid! Assign someone in the wedding party the task of reminding you to drink water regularly (not just champagne!). And when it’s time for the reception, don’t skip out on a meal. Sitting down to eat will not only keep your energy up, but it will also give you a chance to relax and enjoy the moment with your new spouse.
Taking care of your basic needs is crucial for making it through the day feeling good and staying focused on what’s important.
- Plan for Extra Time
One of the biggest sources of wedding day stress is running behind schedule. From hair and makeup taking longer than expected to unforeseen delays with transportation, there are countless ways that timing can go awry. That’s why it’s so important to build extra time into the wedding day schedule.
When creating a timeline, think about each part of the day—from getting ready to the ceremony to the reception—and add a buffer time to each segment. For example, if you think your hair and makeup will take an hour, plan for an hour and a half. If the photographer says they need 30 minutes for family photos, give them 45. This extra time will serve as a cushion against any delays, ensuring that you stay on track and don’t feel rushed.
Having extra time also allows you to enjoy the day more fully. It offers flexibility to embrace those unexpected, special moments—like an impromptu toast or a quiet moment with your partner without feeling pressured by the clock.
- Trust Your Vendors
You spent a lot of time choosing the right vendors. Trust them to do what they do best. On your wedding day, the last thing you want to do is micromanage them. Trust that they know their job and will deliver what they promised.
A key part of this is having clear communication with all vendors in the weeks leading up to the wedding. Make sure they fully understand your vision and expectations, and that they have all the information they need. Once this is done, let go and trust them to take care of the details.
If you’ve hired a wedding planner, this is their time to shine. They can serve as the point person for every vendor, handling any last-minute issues that may arise. This leaves you free to enjoy the day without worrying about whether the flowers arrived or if the cake is being set up correctly.
Remember, these professionals have likely performed hundreds of weddings, and they know how to handle the unexpected.
- Focus on What Matters
It’s easy to get caught up in the details of the day; the perfect dress, the stunning décor, the delicious food. While all these elements contribute to the beauty of your wedding, it’s important to remember the true purpose of the day: celebrating your love and commitment to each other.
Throughout the day, take moments to pause and soak in the significance of what’s happening. Whether it’s during the vows, the first dance, or even just a quiet moment alone together, remind yourselves why you’re there. This is about the beginning of a new chapter in your lives together, surrounded by the people you care about most.
If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, try not to sweat it. Maybe the flowers aren’t the exact shade you wanted, or the cake is slightly different than expected. In the grand scheme of things, these small details won’t matter or probably even be remembered. What will matter is the love you share and the memories created on this special day. After all, this is the start of your happily ever after, and it should be filled with joy, laughter, and love.
By following these five tips: delegating responsibilities, staying hydrated, planning for extra time, trusting your vendors, and focusing on what matters, you can create a stress-free, fairy tale wedding day that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Brandon West, E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager for Kalyan Hospitality, oversees marketing for The Inn at Blackstone and The Berkeley Hotel. With a passion for hospitality and storytelling, he creates strategic campaigns that highlight the charm of these historic venues, helping couples and travelers envision unforgettable weddings, events, and stays. Visit kalyanhospitality.com for more info.
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