wedding blog

Ten Tips for a Smooth Wedding Day

Take it from a former wedding coordinator turned bridal stylist who has seen it ALL! After months and months of planning, you have dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s; however sometimes life JUST HAPPENS. Below are ten tips for a wedding day without any bumps in the road.

Photo: Anna Kinchen Photography

Photo: Anna Kinchen Photography

1.       Eat a good breakfast! It will be a long and emotional day with very little down time. A few bites of fruit and some crackers is not going to sustain you (especially after a few mimosas). Protein and carbs will help keep you going throughout the day!

Photo: Rachel Westley for Aislinn Kate Photography

Photo: Rachel Westley for Aislinn Kate Photography

2. The night before your wedding gather all your accessories, rings, shoes and paper details and set on a visible area. These are the small details the photographers/cinematographers usually shoot first. Having them all gathered will make the photographers job easier and you wont be frantically digging through bags in the middle of hair and makeup.

 

3.        Have cash tips and final payments for vendors in labeled envelopes.

4.        Assign a (responsible) friend or family member to keep track of the rings, marriage license and vows leading up to the ceremony. Wedding rings and marriage licenses are the two top forgotten/misplaced items on wedding day.

Photo: Amy Riley Photography

Photo: Amy Riley Photography

5. Distribute detailed timeline/itineraries for family and wedding party. This allows for everyone to know when and where they need to be during the day and less people asking/calling you the morning of.

Photo: Brenna Kneiss Photography

Photo: Brenna Kneiss Photography

6. Have a detailed rain/weather plan that you are comfortable with. No one wants to think about the weather being bad on their wedding day, but not establishing a plan and waiting until the night before is a bad idea. Make a plan and discuss it with your vendors beforehand so if that weather call is made, you’re not scrambling on 48-24 hours out!

Photo: Faith Moore Photography

Photo: Faith Moore Photography

7.       Give your photographer a list of “must have” photos. Also writing out family groupings such as “parents’ W/ siblings” or “both sets of grandparents” this way nothing is forgotten or missed.

8.       Build and emergency kit with the following items:

·         Sewing Kit

·         Makeup Wipes & Oil Sheets

·         Shout Wipes/ Tide-to-Go Pens

·         Hair Spray & Texture Spray

·         Bobby Pins & Mini Elastics

·         Clear nail polish

·         Nail Clippers

·         Earring Backs

·         Back Up Shoes

·         Band-Aids

·         Aspirin & Tylenol

·         Deodorant & Mints

Photo: Dear Wesleyann

Photo: Dear Wesleyann

9.       Arrange transportation from the wedding reception to your hotel/rental home at the end of the night.

Photo: Lily and Sparrow Photography

Photo: Lily and Sparrow Photography

10.   Hire a wedding planner! If all of the tips above are sending your head in a tizzy then seriously consider hiring a professional. Many brides fear they will not get to be involved in the details if they hire a planner but this is not true! You get to be involved in the fun creative process but the logistics can be left to someone else. Having a planner also relieves your mom/sister/best friends of duties and allows them to enjoy the night with you.

Photo: Eva Cranford Photography                                            Planner Pictured: Avis Glenister with Peach and Pearl Events

Photo: Eva Cranford Photography

Planner Pictured: Avis Glenister with Peach and Pearl Events

Margaret Ellen bride | MRS. Kelly Thornton

The sweetest native of New York, Kelly McGowan, stepped foot into our little slice of paradise this past August with her cousin and aunt, and we are so thankful she did! Dressing Kelly for her special day was such an honor. Kelly chose a Martina Liana gown while adding the matching veil to complete her look. Kelly married Scott Thornton at Tyler Gardens in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Their day was beautifully captured and truly shows their love for another.

destin florida wedding

How did you and Scott meet?

We have known each other since 2nd grade!

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How did Scott POP the question and ask you to be his forever?

Scott took me to Allentown Rose Garden where he had a friend hiding to take pictures as he got down on one knee in front of a beautiful rose archway.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone preparing for their wedding day?

HAVE FUN WITH IT and always remember it is YOUR wedding, nobody else’s. Please yourself, not what everyone else wants :)

Why did you choose Margaret Ellen Bridal? How did you know your dress was “the one”?

Once I put on the veil, I knew that was it. I got all the feels!! :D

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Vendors

Photographer: Liz Waterman Photography

Venue: Tyler Garden

Florist: Bloom de Fleur

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Open Aire Affairs

Caterer: Piccolo

Hair/Makeup Artist: Rosa Marchiano

Reception DJ: Capcee

Wedding Dress and Veil: Martina Liana

Officiant: Father Charles Magee