25 Tips to Enjoy The Day

This is an article which I wrote in The W@W Wedding Primer Third Edition 2005

The big day has come! After months of preparations, this is the day that you will finally say your “I do’s.”

Here are some tips on how you can truly enjoy your wedding day.

1. Know what is important to you and don’t waste precious time and energy worrying about insignificant details. You have heard the saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Now is the best time to heed it.

2. Plan, Plan and Plan. After knowing your priorities, planning is one of the best things you can do ahead of time that could help you to avoid panic and stress and just have a great time on your wedding day.

3. Make lists and more lists. List down your essentials and everything you want to be taken cared of. Make sure to check your lists from time to time to see what you have accomplished.

4. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate. You don’t have to do everything. You can either get an efficient wedding coordinator or ask for the help of your family and friends. Make sure the assigned person is willing to be in charge. You shouldn’t worry about ANYTHING on your wedding day. You want to enjoy and be a spectator on this important event in your life. Nothing can be more meaningful than just seeing how things beautifully unfold before your eyes.

5. Go to confession a week before your wedding. Do it together as a couple. It is good for the soul.

6. Take a vacation leave from work at least a week before the wedding. Inform your office about it ahead of time so you can plan with your boss/workmates the schedules and tasks you need to finish before the week of your wedding.

7. Plan your activities well especially pre-wedding parties. Ideally, schedule your shower parties not later than 2 weeks before the wedding. If you can do it a month or two before, it will be better. Plan your itinerary for 2 weeks before the wedding for the final errands.

8. Pack your gifts ahead of time. You don’t want to do the wrapping the night before your wedding and even asking your groom to run to the bookstore to buy ribbons. Spare yourself from this tension.

9. Pack your things one week before. Prepare two boxes and label it: 1 for church materials and 1 for reception materials. Put everything that you will need on these boxes.

10. If you are leaving few days after the wedding for your honeymoon, buy things you need and prepare your bags a week before the wedding as well.

11. Schedule your Spa session, Manicure, Pedicure accordingly. Book the salon at least 2 days before your planned date and stick to that schedule. Forego everything except pampering yourself.

12. If you really have some last minute errands/to do’s the night before the wedding, DROP IT! Let go of the non-essential items unless it is very, very important to you. You can probably just do a phone call rather than going out of your hotel. You can just delegate also to someone you can trust.

13. Don’t stress yourself out with the seating plan.

14. Check-in the hotel the day before the wedding, NOT the night before. Meaning, go to the hotel on the usual check-in time of 12nn/2pm instead of going to the hotel on midnight. You need to settle already and enjoy a hot bath in the tub. This can relax your muscles and can even put you to sleep.

15. Arrange for breakfast to be brought to your room and for all those joining you for preparation. Include lunch if you are having an afternoon/evening wedding. Order these in advance or assign someone to do it. You don’t want to do the worrying in the morning and starve yourself.

16. Plan out payments a week before the wedding. Have those ready in sealed envelopes and have someone in charge of giving them to the vendors. Confirm with suppliers if check payment is allowed to pay the balances. You don’t want to find out later on that day that you are short in cash. No time to go to the bank! Ask your groom to take care of it, or he can give it to the best man.

17. At least two days before your wedding, have a special dinner with your groom without talking about wedding details instead just focusing on your love for each other and how much you are looking forward for the day to come plus spending the rest of your life with one another.

18. On the night of your wedding, write a special letter if you can for one another. Just scribble your feelings that moment. It’s so nice to read even after the wedding, you will always be reminded of the main reason for all of your preparations. Arrange to have it brought to each other’s room on the morning of your wedding. Reading it is such a good way to start the day, while eating breakfast.

19. On the day of your wedding, have a nice and enjoyable bath. Do this early so you don’t need to rush.

10. As you walk down the aisle in the church, focus your attention to your groom waiting in the altar. Don’t think about the flowers going against what you envisioned, your seat plan not yet arranged, your late commentator and a lot more. CHIN UP, SMILE…you look radiant and take pleasure on every step you make. Just savor this time.

11. The ceremony is the most essential part of the wedding because you are committing yourselves to one another before God and His people. Pay special attention to the homily, on what your officiating priest will share with you. Focus on your exchange of vows, rings and arrhae. It so heartwarming to do all these ceremonies in front of the people around you.

12. In the reception, take time to mingle with your guests and be with their company. Most of the couple is so preoccupied on the reception program sequence without even recognizing the people who attended. Remember, they also took time from their busy schedules to attend your wedding. Never forget to thank them for coming and tell them how much you enjoyed celebrating your union with all of them. The clue: make a SHORT program so you have more time with your guests.

13. SMILE, SMILE and SMILE. The day after your wedding, you will feel that your jaw must have stacked up. It’s ok. It will definitely show in the pictures and videos. Guests always remember a happy couple, not just your food, flowers and dress, etc.

14. RELAX, RELAX and RELAX. Try not to worry about any of those little details that don’t go as planned. Those could turn into cherished moments later. Find humor into it. Few years after, you will look at it with laughter and fondness.

15. ENJOY, ENJOY and ENJOY. After all, it’s the best day of your life.