The Bride's Survival Guide

Weddings are supposed to be a time of love...and yet they are being more and more overshadowed by stress! In fact, a survey by Zola shows that 40% of couples were extremely stressed and 71% of couples found wedding planning more stressful than buying a home, moving, finding a job, and even applying to university!

After The Proposal

1. Start Planning Early And Stay Organised

Setting out a plan early is key to successful wedding planning. An early and thorough plan can help to ensure you get top choice suppliers, times, and dates. The key, once a plan has been made, is to keep everything organised and all of the paper work together.

2. Budget (And Spend It Well)

One of the first things to consider is your budget, how much do you have to spend and what are your priorities? DIY weddings are becoming increasingly popular, however it is important to weigh up the financial cost versus the cost in time and stress - sometimes it's worth it to get a professional in.

3. Share The Load

Whilst you may be thinking that this is 'your day', remember the person that is taking this journey with you. They are also there to attend meetings with suppliers, help plan a budget, and anything else - they are your partner in everything, and that includes the wedding planning.

Before The Wedding

1. Check In With Suppliers

If only to settle your own mind, check in with suppliers to make sure that everything is on schedule as planned. Most suppliers will suggest a pre-wedding meeting anyway, but those that don't, make sure to ask for one. This is your final opportunity before the day to nail down the plan.

2. No Last Minute Beauty

Don't, under any circumstances, reach for the fake tan, hair dye, wax strips, or even tweezers in the final days before the wedding. Book in with a professional a week or two before the wedding to give your skin time to calm down from any potential reactions, and also to give yourself an opportunity to relax.

3. Pack An Emergency Kit

Tissues, tampons, hair ties, painkillers, plasters, etc put together a small emergency kit to cover any last minute surprises and leave it with your maid of honour. this ensures you are fully prepared for whatever the day throws at you.

On The Day

1. Make Time for Food

The whole day will go by in a blur and you will often find yourself prioritising your guests rather than yourself. Make sure you eat whenever you get the chance, and have snacks on hand just in case (maybe pack them into the emergency kit). Meals are usually quite spread out throughout the day so be sure you don't get hungry and have a big breakfast, you'll need it.

2. Comfy Shoes

Being on your feet all day on your new heels is a lot! It is best to ensure you have some comfy slippers or sliders on standby for you and your bridesmaids. This means you can all dance the night away and still feel your feet the next day. Once you've had your photos and done all that stuff it doesn't matter be comfy, its your day after all!

3. Enjoy The Day

The most important thing to do is to enjoy the day! This is a day of happiness surrounded by your loved ones, don't let yourself get distracted by small mishaps or stresses. Anything that has gone wrong probably hasn't been noticed by anyone but you, and is very unlikely to ruin the day, so don't worry about it.

After the Wedding

1. Breathe

After the months of planning, and a long and busy day, the most important thing for you to do is to breathe. Take a moment with your partner to reflect on the day and to come back down to earth slowly.

2. Return Any Rentals

Make sure to return any clothes, decorations, or equipment as soon as possible to avoid any additional charges. Many suppliers will have booked items out again for other weddings and will be expecting them back on time, therefore late charges will likely be high, and not something you want to be worrying about.

3. Sort Your Paperwork Out

If you have chosen to change your name after marriage (either by taking your partner's name, double barrelling, or meshing your names), it's important to make sure that all of your paperwork is in order. A full guide for how to change your name, and who to notify, is available here.

Our Top Gifts for the Bridal Party

Bridesmaids

For the girls that have laughed and cried with you throughout this whole process, it's always good to get them a gift to say thank you. Give them a personalised bottle of prosecco with one of your best memories on it as a thank you. Our full range of bridesmaids gifts can be found here.

Mother of the Bride/Groom

Whether she's the woman that gave you life, or the woman that gave you your partner, show her you appreciate everything she has done for both of you with this elegant Rose Gold Mesh Watch. The back of the watch can be engraved with a small message of love and thanks for the perfect added touch.