I’m sure you’ve heard from your friends and family from the second you got engaged that time is going to FLY by on your wedding day. This can be true, if you’re like most, you’ve spent months planning this day.  You’ve got everything planned out to a T, guests are constantly going to be coming up to catch up and pay their compliments to the newlyweds, your vendors are checking in on last-minute things, asking if you need a drink, it can make the day feel rushed. Believe it or not, though, this can be avoided, you can slow down and enjoy your wedding day, I actually encourage most of my couples to plan for it!  There are SO many ways to help you to slow down and enjoy the moment on your wedding day and soak it all in.

1. Do something on your own the morning of your wedding

You’re really surrounded by people for the entirety of your wedding day, which is awesome, but it can be hard to take some time for reflection during your wedding day with people around you the entire time.  I highly recommend taking a bit of time the morning of your wedding right when you wake up to take some deep breaths and just think about all the festivities that are coming up on your wedding day.

You can do this with your soon-to-be spouse or just go solo.  Run out and grab a cup of coffee from your favorite place, take a nice long walk or sit and watch the sunrise. Take this time to read a letter from your partner or write the finishing touches on your vows.  All of these things can help you slow down and take in the excitement you have about the wedding festivities that will make up the rest of your day.

2. Schedule in time for you and your spouse at different parts of your day 

This is one of those things that a lot of my couples wish they had done throughout their wedding day.  Scheduling in time for just the two of you is SO important in any wedding day timeline, which by the way if you are struggling with laying out your timeline I have a great guide on how to make the perfect one for your wedding day.  Take some time to talk about the time you’ve spent apart on your wedding day, talk about all your loved ones that have gathered together to celebrate the two of you, and reflect on everything that brought you to this moment right here.

Some of these moments can look like a First Look, a First Dance by yourselves, sneak out for sunset or even have a last dance at the end of the night while the party is going on.  Take a boat ride if your venue has a rowboat, take a walk around your gorgeous venue just the two of you, plan in a bit of time to soak in the day, and have a good time with one another.

3. Ask your vendors for some actual alone time

I get it, I am a wedding vendor, we are with you the ENTIRE DAY. If you want some actual time alone, let them know that you two are gonna need a moment or two after your first look or after your ceremony.  Sneak away just the two of you for sunset and have some time together.

Ask them to leave you and come back to grab you after 20 minutes have passed so you can get back to the festivities.

4. Have a designated “AOBTG” or “AOBTB”

This one isn’t necessarily for the two of you, but a role for someone else.  Have an “anyone but the groom” or “anyone but the bride” for your wedding day.  Whether this person is a day of coordinator, a maid of honor or a best man, or even a parent or sibling to call the last minute shots for your day.  

Throughout your wedding day vendors, bridesmaids, groomsmen, family members are always looking for something or curious about something that is going on.  Have a person listed on your timeline as the “go-to” person for all of those last-minute questions or concerns.  Put them in charge of the details box for your photographer and videographer, let them know when the bouquets will be dropped off, ask them to keep track of the lunch you’re catering in.  All the little things throughout your day that need a little extra assistance.

By enrolling one of these people in your life to take on these last minute tasks, you don’t have to worry about the moving parts to your wedding day. You can just focus on yourself and celebrate with the people around you.

5. A Getaway Vehicle

This is one of my personal favorites, but honestly not always thought about.  Even if you’re staying in the same place you’re hosting your wedding, have a getaway car to cap your night and give you and your new spouse a high-energy exit as you end your night!

You and your brand new spouse can spend some time together to slow down and reflect on your wedding day and soak in the night as newlyweds.  It’s also just fun to go for a drive in a really dope car which you can rent from a variety of businesses, like Instant Luxury Rentals in Peoria.  

Pro tip:  If you plan on drinking the night of your wedding, hire someone to take you on a drive at the end of the night, or ask someone in your family to rent the car in their name and take you to your final destination.  

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and with so much going on it can be over before you know it. It’s important to take some time to yourselves to slow down and take it all in, this is your freaking wedding after all! Plan out some moments with your soon-to-be spouse for some time together to take it all in, you won’t regret it.