Things to Know Before Your Wedding Day

Getting married is a BIG event. On your wedding day, a lot will be going on and a little thing (or maybe not so little) will trip you up (I know, because it has happened to my friends and me). To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of things to know before your wedding day — a little “what to expect when you’re wedded”.

Don’t be surprised if your husband can’t get your wedding ring on your finger during the ceremony (or visa-versa). Think about it, you’ll both be hot, nervous and a little shaky. Odds are good that your hands, or his (or both) will be swollen, thus making it nearly impossible for you to put on each others rings. Take a breathe, wedge it on there the best you can and fix it after the ceremony.

The day of your wedding you won’t really care about the “little stuff”. And, let’s be honest, it’s ok, because you’ve cared about it so much leading up to the big day. Plus, there is nothing you can do about it now, so whatever happens, happens. You’ll also be very busy getting ready, which will likely take forever, leaving you no time to run around and try to “fix” things.

Having said that, you will care about the big stuff. Trust me, something will go wrong to ruin a moment during the ceremony or reception…and it will bother you for weeks after your wedding. For me, the icing on our cake was melting and falling off the sides, exposing the cake beneath. As a result the photos of our cake aren’t great and, worse yet, the photos of us cutting the cake are a bit of a disaster.

You’ll hear lie after lie on your wedding day. People will tell you what you want to hear in an effort to reduce your stress level (and sweating). Just go with and revert back to the above about not caring and knowing something will go wrong.

Don’t assume that your family and guests know who should stick around for the pictures and who shouldn’t. Seriously, it may seem like a no brainer, but if you want people to stick around for an extended family photo, tell them in advance (and hope they stay). On the flip side, if you don’t want people hanging around during photo time, thinking they’re going to get a quick pick with the newly married, put a little line at the bottom of your program asking guests to vacate (but in a polite way).

If you don’t pass out on your wedding night (due to over drinking), don’t be surprised if you can’t sleep at all. I lied awake our wedding night watching crap television, because I was too keyed up to fall asleep. But, when we hit the plane for our honeymoon, I was fast asleep!

Everyone may not send/give a gift, so don’t be shocked. This was something we totally didn’t expect. We’d been to their wedding and given them a nice gift, yet they gave us nothing in return. We also had some close friends not acknowledge our nuptials with a gift. While I don’t understand it, it’s just some peoples way and you have to accept it and move on.

You’ll have a TON of free time after the wedding. Think about it, you’ve spent the days, weeks, months prior to the big day preparing everything. Now that it’s over, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on all the shows you have recorded! Which is a good thing, since you won’t have any money to go out. That’s right, the wedding might be over, but the expense aren’t! Having your dress cleaned and preserved can cost $80-300. Plus, getting pictures printed for family member and your wedding party can be another chunk of change. There is also Thank You cards and the postage to mail them. But, it’s worth it!

Lastly, one (or the both of you) might get sick upon coming home from your honeymoon. Between the change in environment, hugging everyone, the stress and sex, getting a UTI, cold or flu is common. Ugh, something to look forward to, right?

Now that you know all the nitty-gritty about getting hitched, I bet you can’t wait for your wedding day! Just remember, it’s only one day…you’ll make it through it…and after it all you’ll be married.