Every bride wants to look her best on the happiest day of her life – but between the excitement, emotions, and perfect planning, it's easy to fall into typical traps or overlook important details. That's why we've put together 5 dos and don'ts to help every bride enjoy her wedding day in a relaxed, stylish, and completely personalized way.
1. DO: KEEP CALM & enjoy! When the big day arrives, the planning is over for you as the bride and groom. Be sure to designate someone who knows the schedule and is responsible for answering guests' questions (best man, organizer, wedding planner...) and let your guests, employees, and helpers know in advance. It's also perfectly normal for the schedule to fall behind here and there and for one or two items on the program to turn out differently than planned. But remember, you're marrying the man of your dreams today—everything else is just a bonus. So KEEP CALM & enjoy!
2. DO: Talk to your witnesses! There are often items on the program that you, as the bride and groom, should not know about, and most of the time these are priceless and personal surprises that you will enjoy. However, to avoid any awkward moments, be sure to talk to your witnesses about what is acceptable to you and what is not, and what you want and don't want. We have had moments when the best man wanted to squeeze in one more game and then another, even though the bride and groom finally wanted to start the wedding dance and party, and the bride was already close to tears by the last game. But remember, the witnesses are also under a lot of pressure on your big day because they don't want to disappoint you. So make it clear what you want from them and where they can take the reins.
3. DO: Enjoy each other as a married couple! It's no myth that being married feels somehow different. Be sure to plan moments when you can enjoy some time together as a married couple after the wedding ceremony. For example, the drive from the wedding venue to the evening location, a reserved bar table where you can receive congratulations together, a moment to freshen up in your room, or the wedding dance.
4. DO: Talk to your husband! “Where is my husband?” There is hardly a bride who has never uttered these words during the evening celebrations. In the best case scenario, however, the bride does not feel alone, but enjoys her new status as “married” and the fact that she is now officially closer to her husband. To maintain a sense of calm, however, these moments should not get out of hand. Be sure to discuss with your husband before the big day what you both want from each other in this regard!
5. DO: Bring comfortable shoes to change into! On the big day, it is of course also part of the tradition to wear beautiful (and usually unusually high) shoes. But remember that the day is far from over after the wedding ceremony and photo session. So make sure you have some pretty but comfortable shoes to change into. For example, I had soft platform flip-flops with me so I could dance the night away.
1. DON'T: Don't eat anything and/or lace your dress too tightly? As a bride, you're nervous and often don't have much of an appetite before the wedding. You also want to look as beautiful and slim as possible, so it's okay to lace your dress a little tighter. But please don't underestimate this if you don't want to feel nauseous, faint, short of breath or dizzy. We've had wedding ceremonies interrupted because the groom had to take the bride out for some fresh air while family and friends spent a worried half hour in the church. So at least eat a small snack to keep your blood sugar up and don't wear your dress too tight.
2. DON'T: Don't drink anything? Once you've finally put on your dress with its hundred petticoats, you'll never want to go to the bathroom again. That's what I thought, too. But it didn't take long before I had a headache. So please remember to drink enough water! And by the way, your bridesmaids and closest friends will be happy to help you.
3. DON'T: Let's get drunk? Enjoying yourself and celebrating are naturally part of a dream wedding. And the carefully selected drinks, from the aperitif sparkling wine to the perfect wine accompaniment for dinner to the digestif after the sumptuous meal, are not just for your dear guests. But don't forget to look into your water glass at least as often. One or two items on the program, such as opening the dance floor with your wedding dance, will briefly demand your attention while all eyes are on you. If things do get a little boozy, no one will mind at the late-night party on the dance floor.
4. DON'T: Take on last-minute tasks yourself? A wedding is expensive and involves a lot of work. Many brides (myself included) try to take on a few things themselves, and DIY (do it yourself) can even add extra charm and a personal touch to some things. On the one hand, however, you have to admit that some things are simply better left to the professionals. More importantly, the bride and her closest friends and family have no business doing last-minute tasks such as decorating the venue the morning or evening before. This day and these individual moments are once-in-a-lifetime moments that you should enjoy. The evening before and the morning of the wedding are reserved for mental and visual preparation. So: wellness and beauty YES, stressing about decorating or transporting things NO!
5. DON'T: Smartphone bride? Admittedly, a selfie of your own wedding can be fun. But using your smartphone as a bridal accessory is a no-go. It's just too tempting to check something quickly or to be constantly available. So even if it's your faithful companion, hand your smartphone over to someone you trust (e.g., your maid of honor) on your big day. They can still let you know if something important comes up. And for the wedding selfies, why not organize a photo booth!
