It’s normal to be nervous about your wedding day: tripping on your dress, not being able to find the wedding rings, or finding a bridal party member missing. Any of these things could happen so make sure to prepare what you can before the big day. Don’t worry, because we can help make sure everything is exactly how you want it. Here are 10 things to rehearse for your perfect special day.
1. Be “Picture Perfect”
Celebrate your engagement and practice how you want to pose for your big day by getting a professional engagement photoshoot. This will allow you to get used to posing together as a couple and to listen to a photographer on how to stand. That way, you’re confident and ready for the hundreds of photos that will be taken at your wedding. Every time you look at them, you’ll feel 100% satisfied.
Pro Tip: This would be a great time for you to explore any unique photo ideas for you & your soon-to-be spouse! Check out our 10 Unique Photos to Take on Your Wedding Day for inspiration!
2. Put your best foot forward
Once you find the fabulous shoes that you’re going to wear, it’s best to wear them a few times before you walk down the aisle. If they’re a few inches higher than you normally wear, make sure you can walk in them without tripping or falling. Also, we recommend taking them to a fitting room to make sure you can walk in them with your dress or wedding outfit.
3. Formal dancing
Many people plan to have a formal choreographed first dance or dance with one of their parents. If this is part of your wedding vision then be sure to practice it a few times just to make sure you know the right moves. Regardless if it’s hip-hop or ballroom dancing, every step should be practiced, so that the reception goes perfectly.
Pro tip: If you’re still trying to find your first dance song, check out this list of First Dance Wedding Songs from Favorite Movies.
4. Hair and makeup (Beauty routine)
Every bride envisions how they will look on their wedding day. Hair up or down? Straight or curly? Modest makeup or Hollywood glam? In any case, it takes time to get the perfect look. Once you’ve found the person whose help you want on the big day, spend time making sure you’re both on the same page.
5. The car ride to the reception
Many wedding locations have a reception in the venue. If you choose to get married in a church, you’ll need to have a reception venue as well. Sometimes it can be easily 30 minutes away. So it’s best to practice how to get from the ceremony to the reception to make sure it will be an easy route for your wedding party and all of your guests. You could add directions to the invitations or RSVP cards.
6. How you’ll do your first kiss
Who hasn’t seen the videos of the bride and groom falling when the groom tries to do a “dip” at the first kiss. It can hurt if dropped, be overwhelming and even embarrassing. So it’s best to make sure both of you know how ‘the dip’ will go or if you will just do a standing kiss. Make sure it feels natural on the day and you are both comfortable with it!
7. Speaking in public & giving the toasts
No wedding reception is complete without an embarrassing speech from the father of the bride! If you’re worried about messing up your speech, it’s best to practice before the big day. If we’ve got one word of advice, it would be to make sure your words are heartfelt but concise.
Pro tip: Learn tips & advice on how to make a wedding toast!
8. Reading your vows
If you choose to do your own vows and not the traditional ‘I do’ vows it can be nerve-wracking to have to say them in front of everyone. It’s not uncommon to have note cards to help you remember the words. But on the day you may be overwhelmed with emotions, so practice can help in those moments.
Pro tip: Here are 10 tips for writing your own wedding vows!
9. How to bustle your dress (if you’re wearing one)
Should you choose to wear a dress on the big day, and it has a train, then it’s best to practice how you want to deal with the train during your reception. You can bustle your dress in a couple of ways (we recommend talking through with them at your fittings). But don’t worry; it won’t really be you that will need to trial this step. On the day it will most likely be the mother of the bride or one of your dedicated bridesmaids fixing your bustle..
10. The ceremony
Last, but certainly not least: the ceremony will need to be practiced. We’re sure most of your bridal party will walk in a straight line and stand in the right spot. But we recommend making sure they know where everyone should be, especially if you have a large wedding party. This is helpful to make sure that the ceremony is exactly as you and your partner envisioned your wedding to be.
Practice will always make perfect. (And don’t forget to take a day for yourself to de-stress before your wedding day!) As you practice you can check things off your list and know that the big day is going to be rehearsed and your vision. Remember that no matter what happens on your big day, you and your new spouse are now married! That’s the most important thing on the list.
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
