You open your eyes, perhaps a bit groggy from the rehearsal dinner festivities the night before, and before you even step out of bed, excitement and nerves rush through your body. Today IS the day! It is finally here! The day that you have been dreaming about for years and planning for months.  You have heard that this day is going to go by faster than you can imagine.  Countless past brides have cautioned you to make sure you take the time to “soak it all in”.  No matter what you do your wedding day is going to go by fast but the memories will last. To start the day off on the right foot, create a morning with your best girls by following our five simple tips.

1.  Consider your getting ready location carefully.

If at all possible your home or your childhood home is a great choice for getting ready. It is comfortable and familiar to you and has plenty of space to spread out. If your house is not an option, make sure you have booked the hotel suite large enough for you and your bridesmaids. Lots of girls equals lots of stuff so you don’t want to feel cramped. Plus you will want ample room in case a dance party breaks out!

In addition to having enough space, it is a good idea to make sure wherever you get are getting ready has ample lighting and will match the overall color scheme of your day.  These photos will need to be cohesive with the rest of the wedding.

2. Bring hair and makeup to you!

If you can bring your hair and makeup team to you (either at home or at the hotel), you will be happy you did! Instead of having to worry about transportation or carting dresses, shoes, flowers, etc from one location to the other, you will be able to breathe easier. Most hair and makeup teams will travel to you! You will just have to pay an additional travel fee but it will be worth it!

To make sure things run smoothly, make sure you have asked your beauty team ahead of time what they will need such as outlets, tables, mirrors and stools. Reserve a room in the house or an area in the hotel near a window since natural light is the best possible scenario to make sure your wedding makeup looks the most natural.

3. Have food (and a little bubbly) on hand!

With the crazy mix of excitement and nerves that your wedding day brings,  it is not uncommon to forget to eat. However if you have light refreshments on hand and a diligent maid-of-honor to remind you, those nerves don’t have to get the best of you. A little champagne wouldn’t hurt either- just don’t over do it!

4. Have all of your wedding details easily accessible.

Your photographer will want to photograph your details when they arrive. To make things easier on you and them, gather your wedding dress, shoes, jewelry, invitation suite and any other personal details in one place. All you will have to do is point and go back to sipping mimosas!

5. Let go! Relax! & Keep your timeline in mind.

All of the planning has come down to this very important day! You have crossed your t’s and dotted your i’s so there is nothing left to do but let go and let it all fall into place. You have hired the best of the best and they know exactly what to do to make it all run seamlessly.

Although we want you to kick back, do your best to listen to your wedding planner, photographer or venue coordinator and stick to the timeline when it comes to your first look and portraits.  It was designed specifically to make sure your day goes off without a hitch. In the long run, you will thank them and the day will be stress-free when it runs like clockwork!

Special congratulations to Jen and Anthony! Their wedding was perfect and they truly enjoyed every moment of their day- morning, noon & night!

Planning & Design: Gilded Lily Events// Photographer: Jack Jeffries for Christian Oth Studios// Florals: Blade Floral and Event Design// Bride’s Dress: Nicole Miller// Vintage Rentals: Dovetail Vintage Rentals// pillow: Parris Chic Boutique