Things you forgot to remember on your wedding day…and we’re here to remind you!

The time spent planning wedding day is arguably one of the most busy, stressful (if you’re not in good hands) and confusing periods of your life.

Guest lists, dietary restrictions, transport options, flights…there is just so much going on it’s no wonder so many choose to have a wedding planner by their side to assist them in keeping everything organized and calm.

If you have a good wedding planner, nothing is left to chance and everything is thought of, right down to the last details.

If you don’t have a good planner, or you’re planning it all yourself there are a few items you may forget so here we are to send a little reminder, so that there are no tears or meltdowns on your special day.

Photography: Flipmax

Make time for Makeup – and make sure you have meals for getting ready!

I think people underestimate how long it actually takes to get ready for a wedding. Especially the bridal party.

While rough guidelines for hair and makeup are always given out and you usually can count on around an hour for bridesmaids/family and up to two hours for the bride, it’s not just this that you need to think about. You don’t just walk in, get hair and makeup done, then leave.

No, no, no.

You stay there. You get excited. You build the hype and you get dizzy with anticipation and nerves (the good kind). It’s a whole event in itself.

The girls all gather together and stay together because that’s where the fun is. But if I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve given the start time for hair and makeup to my clients only for the makeup team to arrive and the girls are still having breakfast, doing eye masks and some are even still sleeping, well, I’d be pretty rich. But this is okay, it’s expected. Hair and makeup are well versed with delayed starts. However, I’m making this point because things always get pushed out. You thought you’d be in and out by 11? The girl before you didn’t start until 11:30, so you’ve now been pushed out too!

Then there’s the dresses – this seems to take ages every time…making sure the fit is right, no panty lines can be seen, fixing popped buttons or zippers that get stuck. The humidity of Bali doesn’t make it easier either. And once that is done, it’s the pre-ceremony photos…and photographers usually like to have a minimum of 30 minutes for this.

So, when you see the run sheet and you have hair and makeup starting in the morning even when the ceremony doesn’t start until late afternoon, and you’re thinking noooo that’s way too much time, trust me. You’ll be begging to push the ceremony back.

Once the ceremony starts, its full throttle and you probably won’t eat until the reception, although you’ll see my team and I try to force feed you canapes the whole time!

So, what is the point I’m making here? Order food! You’ll need it!

It can often be an after-thought when you’ve arrived at your venue and you’re thinking oh damn, when is the next meal? I forgot to eat breakfast!

Make sure you have food, drinks, snacks…the lot. Even if you have a belly full of nerves, at least have something light. Not doing so will only have you feel weak and faint on the most special day of your life, and the heat in Bali offers no reprieve.

Luckily there are so many amazing options here.

Anything from grazing boards and canape stations, to hearty rolls and full buffet spreads.

If you’re staying at a villa that has a kitchen, get them to whip up a meal for the whole crew.

You’ll feel soooo much better for it, especially if you’re a social butterfly and you do forget to eat until dinner.

Are you a last-minute bride? Forget to put your order through? No worries, thank goodness we have Gojek & Grab – food delivery services so worst-case scenario you can always choose a meal from your favourite Bali restaurant and have it delivered to you within the hour.

Photography: Flipmax

Kids Area

It's more and more common now that couples have kids before they tie the knot.

It’s also very common that couples opt for a kid-friendly wedding – which is almost a must if you’re having a destination wedding because you can’t expect your guests to leave their kids at home unless one parent stays.

Children at weddings aren’t for everyone though and that’s okay, but if you are going to have them, don’t just rely on a nanny to look after them for the day.

Having a kids area at your wedding ensures the children are kept in one zone, easy for parents to find at any given time and not wandering off, catering knows where to deliver the kids meals first, and there are soooo many options here in Bali for kids entertainment to keep them happy and not leaving the pack trying to find you while you’re letting your hair down for the first time in a year.

If you’re the bride or groom with kids, and intend to just keep it as your kids only at the wedding, then a nanny and a media room at the venue you’re at is fine. Order a pizza, whack on some movies, and you can come and check on them anytime you want.

But for couples allowing all kids to attend, keep yourselves, and your guests, stress-free by thinking ahead and including a zone specifically for the little ones in your budget.

Photography: Flipmax

Maid of Honour/Best Man duties

To be honest, this goes for the whole wedding party, but specifically the head honchos for each team.

While it’s a privilege and an honour to be asked to be part of the bridal party, ive found the bridesmaids and groomsmen often forget that their primary job is to look after the bride and groom…not just be the ones who get first access to the bar.

During the day and night of your wedding, there will be so many things you need to keep a hold of, and delegating people to take them on the spot will have you frustrated and, in many cases, lose the items.

I’m talking about cards – particularly cards with money in it, the rings, the vows, the speeches, jewelry pouch, emergency kit with safety pins, hair pins, sanitary products…the lot.

By allocating the person who will be responsive for all of this – your maid of honour and the best man – you can enjoy your day stress free, knowing that at the end of all the craziness, the important items are kept by someone you trusted enough to stand next to you on your wedding day.

Don’t want to give that task to one of your bridal party? No problem. Choose someone else you trust completely. You will probably find that people are touched to be considered and have an important part of your day.

Doing this early will give you peace of mind, and you won’t end up calling your planner or the venue with a killer hangover wondering where everything is.

Photography: Axioo

Photos with your VIPs

Write a list of the important people in your life that you’d like portraits with on your wedding day. Not your parents, or your bridal party – they’re a given.

But perhaps that aunty that was always like a second mum to you, or your grandfather who made a special effort to fly for your wedding despite the doctor’s warnings.

The photographers want to do their best, and ensure you have the most memorable photos from your special day. But they don’t know your guest list, they don’t know your VIP’s and they can’t be held responsible if shots are missing that you wanted but didn’t specify.

Best way to make the most out of your investment is to write a list of all those who you definitely want photos with. Point them out on the day.

This way the team can cross off the shots they took, and also know who is who, which is so important if you want those candid shots throughout the day and night. The photographers will know who to focus on, who’s important to you, so that when you get your finished product, you’ll look through each of them with a smile bigger than the last.

Photography: Motion House

Practice walking in your shoes at the venue

So, you’ve walked around your future venue – in your comfy shoes.

You’ve practiced walking in your wedding shoes – at home.

But have you walked in your wedding shoes AT the venue? Likely not.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, my top tip would be if you have your shoes already, bring them along to your site visits. When you choose your venue, the likelihood of you going back to the venue is slim before the big day. This way when you find THE ONE, you can pop your shoes on and practice walking.

Don’t have your shoes yet? No problem.

If the venue you’ve booked has accommodation and you’re sleeping there, practice walking when you check in. plenty of time. If it’s a venue only, without accommodation meaning you’re using it for the day-of only, then make sure you get some walks in before hair and makeup starts. It’ll give you the confidence you need because I can say with 100% certainty from experience, every bride’s worst nightmare is to trip and fall down the aisle.

Without practice you don’t know if there are little bumps your toes scuff against, any holes or soft patches the heels sink into, and if it’s quite a bumpy ground, it’ll be your practice walk that determines whether or not you want to install a hard-wood or acrylic walkway to ease the journey.

Photography: Motion House

Have a planner? Make sure you tick these items off with them. Planning the day yourself? You now have a little list of things to remember.

xxx