Today's post is going to conclude my series of Wedding Wednesdays. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be done talking about weddings--safe to say there will be at least a post or two about my sister's big day (coming up in July!), plus we have at least two other weddings on tap for the summer. Not to mention my sister's bridal shower--not totally wedding related, but if things come together like I've been planning I'll have lots of fun details to share from that (Darrell thinks I'm biting off more than I can chew since the shower is scheduled for a month and a half after baby is due... But what does he know).
I just have a few last tips to share today; things that didn't really constitute getting their own post, but are still worthwhile to consider (at least in my opinion).
Do your best to have accommodations for little ones
If you are not going to limit your guest list to attendees eighteen and over (which I know some people do), it isn't a bad idea to have some accommodations available for families with little ones. While most parents will plan ahead and bring toys or other items their child likes, it's a nice gesture as the bride and groom to have something available as well. Some suggestions? If you are decorating with balloons, leave some scattered loose for kids to play with (and make sure parents know that it's okay). This can be great for keeping them occupied during down-time at the reception (and if the parents are lucky, it'll wear them out). Consider having a small kids table at the reception site with coloring books and other kid-friendly items. You could even have coloring pages of wedding-themed items. If you have the space (and are expecting lots of little ones), offering a staffed nursery can be a huge blessing for parents. They'll have the piece of mind knowing their child is being looked after (at no cost to them), and the kids can enjoy toys and games and possibly even movies instead of getting bored listening to speeches and watching people dance.
Utilize your personal attendant
Your wedding day is going to be crazy. No matter how well you've planned it, things are going to come up at the last minute. You will want someone by your side who is calm, level-headed, and a good problem solver. While your Maid of Honor (or wedding planner, if you have one), may fit this description, chances are she will have other commitments tying her down during the wedding day. Having a personal attendant whose sole job is to focus on you and what you need can be a lifesaver. And since that person's responsibility is to be there for you, don't be afraid to lean on them. Because trust me, you will forget stuff. You might forget to eat; ask them to periodically bring you snacks and water during the day to keep you energized. You might forget to get a picture with some favorite cousins at the reception; give them a list of people you want pictures with and have them remind you periodically throughout the evening (especially useful if your photographer is not scheduled to be there for the duration of the reception). You may even find that it's hard to get away from people to use the bathroom; have your attendant agree to "interrupt" you every so often to give you an opportunity to duck to the ladies room if necessary (added bonus--your attendant is now available to help you manage using the restroom if your dress necessitates an extra hand or two). And the best way to utilize your personal attendant? Make sure people know to go to her first with issues. Most last-minute issues can by fixed by anyone willing to step up and take charge, and trust me when I say you'll have enough on your mind that you won't want to deal with some of the problems. Besides--you probably won't even notice if the flower petals lining the aisle have to get switched from real ones to fake ones at the last minute (true story: happened at my wedding. I wasn't even aware that there had been an issue with the flower petals until my personal attendant told me the next day).
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the day!
This is definitely one of those "easier said than done" statements, but it still needs to be said. Just remember that ultimately, the purpose of the day is to marry your significant other; everything else is just a detail. So enjoy the excitement, laugh about the things that don't goes as planned (because trust me, there will be things that don't go as planned), and cherish the time with your loved ones who are there to celebrate with you. An added bonus of staying relaxed and having a good time? You'll get much better pictures. Not only will the candid shots turn out better, but even in the staged shots the camera will be able to pick up the difference between a forced "I may be smiling but I'm actually worried about whether or not people are having a good time" smile and a genuine "I'm so happy and in love" smile.
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