7 Ways to Be More Present on Your Wedding Day
Spend any amount of time on #weddingtok on TikTok and you’ll hear brides talking about their biggest regrets on their wedding day. They’re full of valuable advice to help positively influence your day. They often talk about things they did to stay present on their big days.
I hear ALL THE TIME that the wedding day is just a giant blur. Between the complicated schedule, the 180 guests, the outfits, the dancing, the photos, it’s so easy to go into autopilot.
While there are some trends on social media that you can leave behind (champagne towers can be more trouble than they’re worth), advice about staying present is something you should pay attention to.
You’ve spent months, maybe years, planning one day. The last thing you want to do is go into autopilot and let such an incredible day pass by in a blur. The day will go quickly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t soak in every moment.
Here are some tips to keep in mind for your big day so you can be as present as possible.
Wake Up Early
Try to carve out a few minutes for a slow, solo start to your day – even if it’s just 15 minutes to yourself. Your wedding day is not the day to wake up late or snooze several times.
Make some coffee and jot down some thoughts in a journal about how you’re feeling. Are you nervous? Excited? What are you looking most forward to?
This is a day you’ve thought about for a very long time. You won’t regret that time you took to center yourself and reflect on why you’re there.
Meditate
In those quiet morning moments – or any time you have a few moments to yourself – take a few breaths and meditate on the day. Sit in stillness and remember why you’re here today: to marry the love of your life!
Schedule Private Time with Your Partner
There are a handful of moments in the day where you can schedule private time between your and your partner. I think the times best are right before you walk down the aisle, and right after you leave the ceremony. Remember to build 10-15 minutes of time around the ceremony to really take in the moment.
Build wiggle room into your timeline for these private moments. A few other opportunities for private time include:
Getting ready together in the morning
Doing a first look
Sharing private vows
Eating together privately or having a sweetheart table
Taking a sunset walk
Doing a private last dance
The day can get stressful, so lean into your partner. Stay together as much as possible and share a lot of eye contact to check in and connect. The day is about you two and your love. It’s a celebration of your marriage, not just some big party. Focus on that and not any feelings of stress and anxiety.
Delegate Tasks
It’s much easier to be present if you aren’t running around like a chicken with your head cut off. There’s a reason you have a bridal party; give them tasks so you can keep them off your list.
There’s no reason you need to be dealing with little issues throughout the day when other people can be handling that. Trust the vendors you hired and the people you chose to be in your wedding party. Enjoy your day.
Pass Your Phone Off
It probably goes without saying, but stay off your phone! Have your personal attendant, bridesmaid, or friend take your phone for the day and grab pictures and videos of different moments. They don’t need to be artsy or high quality (you have a photographer for that). You’ll be glad to have fun candids to look back on.
Don’t Just look, Observe
You know how, on a regular old Tuesday afternoon, you probably sit at your desk scrolling on your phone, barely tasting your lunch? Even though you spent precious time preparing it, it’s so easy to go into autopilot and forget to savor the flavors. Don’t let that be you on your wedding day.
Take note of your bridesmaid’s hair or your mom’s dress that she’s so proud of. Look at all the cupcakes that were handmade just for you and look at your uncle’s crazy dance moves at the end of the night. Hone in on all the little details and how your planning came together perfectly. Try to hold each moment just a little bit longer than you would on a regular day.
Reminisce with Your Partner at the End of the Night
At the end of the night, you’re probably exhausted beyond belief. You’ve been up for who knows how many hours prepping, eating, drinking, and dancing. It was most likely one of the best days of your life, but you’re tired and probably just want to collapse into your partner’s arms until tomorrow.
Before you drift off into the depths of the best sleep you’ve probably had in months (no more planning stress to keep you awake at night!), be sure to take at least 10 minutes to talk through the day.
Ask each other questions like:
What did you love most?
How are you feeling about the day?
Did you like how the cake turned out?
Who surprised you on the dance floor?
What was running through your head when we saw each other for the first time?
How did getting ready go?
This is your first time together as a married couple, so remember to soak it in! As time goes on, unfortunately, some of the memories will fade – especially of the little moments. Try to remember everything as vividly as you can in the aftermath.
I highly recommend writing some of the details down, too, because you’ll want to reminisce for the rest of your lives!
Slow Things Down, Enjoy Your day
Your wedding day will inevitably be a whirlwind. But with a few intentional choices, you can slow things down just enough to truly savor it.
Whether it’s waking up early to reflect, carving out private moments with your partner, or simply soaking in the little details, these small practices can make a big impact.
Staying present on your wedding day isn’t about perfection, it’s about feeling every moment and fully experiencing the love and joy surrounding you. Years from now, you’ll be so glad you did.
Need help building a wedding timeline that leaves room to breathe? Reach out – I’d love to help! As part of all my photography packages, I help my couples plan a timeline.
