Planning a wedding is one of life's most magical moments! The happy, yet nervous excitement, the joy of anticipation, and the thrill — it’s a beautiful kaleidoscope of emotions. But with so much to think about, from choosing the right vendors to the perfect dress and glam, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. With the expert advice from some of the industry's top planners, stylists, photographers, and beauty professionals — we've compiled a comprehensive list of must-know tips for the brides-to-be.
Gabriela Novogratz, Kaley from Kansas
Wedding Planning
Find Your Dream Team
Choosing the right vendors is essential for a successful wedding celebration, and it all starts with finding an experienced wedding planner who knows the ins and outs of the industry. “Invest in a seasoned, knowledgeable wedding planner as early on in the planning process as possible. Their team will outline a realistic budget based on your top priorities while setting realistic market expectations. They will assist you in finding the right location and vendors based on your budget, style and guest count. This will greatly reduce stress and allow you to enjoy the process”, says Lisa Costin, the Co-Founder of A Charming Fête.
Your vendors should be talented and reliable, but it's also important to feel a genuine connection with them. Working with people who understand and share your vision makes everything so much smoother. “Hire a team that you vibe with,” advises Verity Wright of The Fíor Collective. “Not just that you like the look of what they do. By building a team around you that you connect with, you will undoubtedly create magic together and have open communication if anything should arise.”
Make Sure to Delegate
Planning and executing a wedding is a massive task, and trying to handle everything on your own can be too much of a stress. Remember: it's perfectly okay to ask for help! "Assign, assign, assign," says Verity Wright. "Even if you feel like you want to keep control of some elements. Whether it’s a planner or a friend, make sure someone else knows that that job needs to be done!"
Take Breaks from Planning
Planning a wedding is a lot to handle — phone calls, meetings, and big decisions all at once. Amidst the chaos going on, make sure to take breaks and set aside some time for yourself so that you’re not burnt out before the big day. Destination wedding photographer Kaley from Kansas suggests carving out time for a breather, a date night, or simply some time away from the energy that is wedding planning.
The Fíor Collective, A Charming Fête
Photos by Wolf & Co, Niki Marie Taylor
Don’t Compromise the Experience for Traditions
While honoring traditions can be meaningful, if they don’t feel right to you, don’t pressure yourself into making them a part of your wedding day. "Plan the day YOU want, not what you think others want. This will make it authentic to you," advises Verity Wright.
Opi Kaur, Founder & Creative Director of Open the Door Events, shares a similar perspective. She emphasizes staying true to yourself, even if it means breaking from certain traditions and expectations. "Balancing what we want with our families' expectations can be challenging. Traditions like a father walking his daughter down the aisle, reserving extra rooms at the venue for close family, specific seating arrangements during dinner, and including sisters as bridesmaids are common expectations. But what if you don’t have the best relationship with your family? Should you compromise your experience for traditions? Absolutely not," says Kaur. "Make a list of what is most important to you and honor those top priorities. This is your wedding, a once-in-a-lifetime event. Own it and make yourself happy. For things that don't matter as much to you, be flexible."
Open the Door Events
Photos by Joy Zamora, Ginger’s Eyes.
Follow the “Trendy + Timeless + Personal” Formula
When planning, Verity Wright suggests using the “thirds” method. “Base your design off these thirds: a third trend-focussed with all the goodness it brings, a third timeless with elements that will never go out of style, and a third with things that are completely unique to you, even if they don’t feel like having a place at a wedding. They do, because they are YOU!”
Embrace the Unexpected
Even with meticulous preparations and a seemingly flawless plan, unpleasant surprises can still happen on your big day. Julian Leaver, the driving force behind Julian Leaver Events, encourages keeping a positive attitude no matter what comes your way. "Embrace the unexpected! If the cake isn't exactly as you envisioned, or the DJ plays a surprise track, see these small imperfections as unique character traits of your day. With your visionary mindset, you know that a great story has its twists – keep your sense of humor and adapt with grace."
Julian Leaver, Oliver Hartley
Left Photo by Abby Jiu
Take in Every Moment
The truth is that your wedding will pass in the blink of an eye, turning into a beautiful memory. To make the most of such a special day, take moments to truly appreciate its beauty. "From the anticipatory thrill of getting ready with your bridal party to the heartfelt vows you'll exchange, take purposeful pauses to fully experience your wedding day," advises Julian Leaver.
Kaley from Kansas emphasizes how important it is to slow down and spend some alone time with your partner. “On the day, I would take a good look around — take in the environment, the emotions and the people who have supported you as a couple and have championed your love since day one. Find time to sneak off, just the two of you and have a little moment for yourselves.”
Family Photos Can Wait
Wedding photographer Oliver Hartley recommends taking a pause before rushing for family photos. “Take at least 15 minutes to enjoy all of the hugs and congratulations from friends and family right after walking down the aisle before scheduling any formalities in the timeline. It also makes for some beautiful candid moments that your photographer can capture!”
Beauty
Trial Your Bridal Makeup First
Booking a trial for your bridal makeup and hair is an absolute must! Consider this a first sneak peek at how your glam will look on your wedding day. "This trial time allows you to connect with your artist, create the perfect look together, and help them get a sense of what you expect for your special day," explains makeup and hair artist Tanja Marthy. "This one is super important," she adds, "as it helps to finalize the look and decide which products to use well before the final day, avoiding any unwanted surprises."
Start Your Skincare Early
“To ensure your wedding makeup and hairstyle look their absolute best, it is essential to prioritize proper skincare and hair care. By dedicating time to self-care, you ensure beauty will have the best chance for your celebration,” says Stacey Triplow, the Founder of Triplow Beauty. And we couldn’t agree more! How you look really shapes your confidence, so it’s a good idea to start your skin journey sooner rather than later. Tanja Marthy recommends starting about 9 months before the big day. “If you are happy with your current skin care routine and get good results, then keep doing what you’re doing! If you want to change something, begin consulting with a skincare professional and customizing your routine about 9 months before the big day. This allows time for tailored treatment and product adjustments that suit your needs and lifestyle.”
Triplow Beauty
Photos by La Dichosa, Matoli Keely
Don’t Use New Beauty Products
Trying out new skincare or makeup products right in the lead up to the big day is way too risky. "If you don’t know how your skin will react to a new treatment or serum – now is not the time to experiment," advises Tanja Marthy. "The last thing you need is for your stress levels to increase as your skin begins to peel off just days before your wedding day."
Wear Your Sunscreen
Make it a good habit of yours to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. The Founder of Page Beauty, Tanya Bures reminds: “Wear sunscreen daily on the face, decolletage, shoulders and arms beginning one month before the wedding to avoid tan lines where the wedding gown or party dress can’t hide. And let’s be real, wearing sunscreen every day, not just for the wedding, is the best protection for the skin’s health and prevents pre-mature aging.”
Drink More Water
Keep your hydration levels up! Tanya Bures recommends: "Drink at least 2 litres of water every day for a week leading up to the wedding day to improve skin tone and texture, reduce puffiness, revive elasticity and bounce, promote clearer skin and, most importantly to your makeup artist, prime the skin for a beautiful wearing foundation."
Style
Wear the Right Undergarments When Bridal Shopping
For your fittings, choose seamless, nude-colored underwear to avoid visible lines. A supportive, strapless bra would be the perfect choice for trying on different dress styles, especially strapless or off-the-shoulder gowns. And if you plan to wear shapewear on your wedding day, make sure you bring it along as well to get a better idea of the dress fit.
Steam Your Dress the Night Before
While not often thought of, steaming your dress the evening before can save you a world of pain come your wedding day. Not only is it once less "chore" to do during your morning of prep, it means you will save your hair and makeup from the effects of the steam, and it will be ready for the photographer to photograph hanging beautifully from the get-go.
Work on Your Posture
Good posture can make a huge difference on your wedding day, helping you look more elegant, confident and always picture-ready. In the weeks before your big day, spend some time working on your posture. Add some posture exercises and stretches to your routine, and just remember to check in with yourself to keep your graceful stance throughout the day.
Korawut Neeparn, Page Beauty
Right Photo by Jennifer Trinidad
Practice Walking
Whether you go for heels or flats, make sure to spend a few hours walking around the house in your wedding shoes to break them in and make them more comfortable. Try also practicing walking in your dress, especially if it has a long train or a full skirt, to get used to its weight and movement. Take small, deliberate steps and walk heel-to-toe to stay balanced.
Assign a Wedding Day Stylist
To have your wedding dress looking on point in your portrait photos, enlist a bridesmaid or family friend with a keen eye for detail to make sure everything is sitting perfectly. Resetting the dress and veil between scenes and looking out to ensure that no unwanted tags, undergarments or tapes are showing will take your wedding photos to the next level and save you from those cringe moments!
