5 Tips for Being Present on Your Wedding Day

One of the highest priorities for my couples is creating an experience that allows them to be FULLY present on their wedding day.  Wedding days tend to FLY by, which is why it’s important that you go into your wedding day knowing that you want to be fully present throughout it.  With my years of experience as a wedding photographer, I was able to put together a list of my top 5 tips to do just that so you can experience your wedding day to the full extent!

What Does it Mean to Be Present on Your Wedding Day?

Being Present on your wedding day can look different for every couple and every wedding.  What it comes down to though is creating a space for you and your partner to do the things that you want to do at your wedding, and also giving yourself space to breathe, reflect and really soak in the moments that you’re experiencing.  With the way weddings have been set up the last 10 years or so, the production of the day can sometimes interfere with the couples’ experience, causing the wedding day to literally fly by before your eyes.  That’s why it’s important to take these steps listed below to give yourself room and space on your wedding day so that you can really slow down and be present for it.

1. Keep Your Timeline Loose

When it comes to creating a timeline for your wedding day, it’s important to give yourself space.  Your wedding day is not a performance or a list of tasks that need to be done on one big day.  You need to LIVE through your wedding day.  Your wedding day will consist of a handful of larger events, i.e. your ceremony, your dinner, and your reception or party. In between these events try to block out spaces where you can to enjoy your day.  Your instinct will be to fill your day with endless activities, but giving yourself space between the larger events will allow you to slow down and be present on your wedding day.  Enjoy each other’s company, spend time with your friends and your family, and really be present with everyone you love the most.

2. Plan Your Day for You

When it comes to planning out your wedding day, it’s easy to get caught up into what “needs” to happen on your wedding day.  What is most important though is doing what you want to do on your wedding day.  How do you want to spend your wedding day?  What do you and your partner want to do?  The sky is literally the limit, get creative with how you plan to spend your wedding day!  Visit the place you first met, go out for ice cream at the shop down the street, break out a game of cornhole with your guests.  There are literally so many ways to celebrate your wedding day and in turn be more present for it!

3.  Pause

Take a moment or two to pause throughout your wedding day and allow yourself to be present in the moment.  Go for a walk before you start getting ready with your friends and family, grab a different point of view, check out the reception tent from 50 yards away.  Just watch your guests interact with one another, people watch, observe, and soak in all these little moments.  You can even pull away to pray or meditate with your spouse, soak up all that is going on and embrace all the feelings that come with it.

4. Let Yourself Feel

Speaking of feelings, let ALL your feelings out on your wedding day.  Let yourself cry and laugh and love!  Crying is what happens when you are overwhelmed, and on your wedding day you are usually overwhelmed in the best way possible– all your friends, family members are there to support you and your partner, just let the tears flow.  Be present by squeezing your family members a little extra hard, laughing a little harder with your best friend, and celebrating how you feel throughout your wedding day.

5. Be a Part of Your Day

If you can, schedule out your wedding day so you can be present for every part of it.  Get ready with friends, take portraits before guests arrive, visit with guests during cocktail hour, eat during dinner.  There is going to be plenty of time to take photos and of course I will be documenting all of the intimate moments that happen naturally.  But if you can, plan to be a part of ALL of the parts of your wedding day so you can enjoy and experience everything your day is!

As I mentioned before, being present on your wedding day is SO important and something I always recommend for my couples. Keep these 5 tips in mind when planning your wedding so you can be sure you’re present for all the best moments your day brings. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding head to my contact page to send me an inquiry, and if you’d like to see more of my work check out my Instagram.