Top Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Morning | Heather McKay Photography | Editorial Photographer Scotland, UK

Your wedding day is fast approaching and how exciting you're planning the finishing touches! As you organise your stationary and pack your bags for the hotel, don't forget to plan your wedding morning. The way you get ready sets the tone for your day - a hectic morning can leave you stressed and frazzled whereas an organised, peaceful morning will set you up in a beautiful mood to enjoy your day. Here are some of my top tips for creating a stress-free environment for your wedding morning to set you up so beautifully for the day ahead.

1. Get Ready with the Right People

Surrounding yourself with the right people is an absolute must on your wedding morning. Your wedding morning can be a rollercoaster, with nerves, excitement, emotion and the most buzzing energy. Make sure you've got people who can hype you up and keep you calm and support you however you need. It's always good to have someone tidy and organised who can keep the environment neat - this always adds to a stress-free vibe.

Consider limiting the number of people present while you’re getting ready. A cosy group of your closest people can be intimate and comforting, allowing you to feel supported without the overwhelm of too many people or too much noise. You know if an intimate group or a big hype troop will suit you best - whether you've got two people with you or ten, make sure they are everything you need.

2. Embrace Morning Rituals

In the rush of wedding preparations, it can be so easy to put yourself last and forget about the little things that make you feel good. Factor in time on your wedding morning for you. Do something that makes you feel good and relaxes your body and mind. A walk through your local park, a cold dip in the sea, a sunrise yoga session, or some quiet meditation are all great ways to get moving with ease, without creating stress in the body. Getting your body moving gently and taking quiet time alone or with your closest people will help to relax your mind and set you up for the most gorgeous day.

3. Breakfast Buffets of Easy-to-Eat Bites

It's also easy to forget to eat on your wedding morning! Nerves or excitement can get in the way and sometimes you can be too restless to sit down to a usual breakfast, but you don't want to be hungry. Having a breakfast buffet full of easy to eat options such as fruit, pastries, cheeses and cold meats means you can pick away quite easily without having to sit down to a meal. Little 'picky bits' like this will help to keep you full without feeling weighed down, giving you energy for your wedding day.

Plus, breakfast is especially important if you'll be having a glass of champagne after your ceremony - let's make sure you enjoy every bit of your day!

4. Aim to be ready one hour before you leave for your ceremony

It might feel like you have all the time in the world and could never need an hour to get dressed, but time can move differently on your wedding morning! To make sure you're not rushed, aim to get into your dress one hour before you need to leave for your ceremony. Getting dressed at this time will allow you to take your time with multiple layers of underskirts, delicate fabrics and fiddly buttons. The designer or seamstress can make it look super easy in the dressing room, but it can take much longer to pull everything together properly when it's just you and your bridal party, so take your time to avoid rushing and stay stress-free.

This window will give you space to breathe and settle into your dress before leaving for your ceremony. Plus, if you've got time left over it's the perfect opportunity for more photos with your closest people, a first look, or some bridal portraits before your vows.

6. Organise the details

An organised space is essential for a stress-free weddign morning. Steam all outfits the night before and hang them up away from the hustle and bustle. Lay out your accessories, vows, rings, and marriage documents somewhere safe so you don't need to worry about finding them. To help your photographer and ensure your getting ready rituals go undisturbed, set aside details such as perfume, invites and jewellry for your detail shots so your photographer can get started on these right away.

Open the windows and let in natural light, and give clutter reponsibilities to a trusted member of your hype group. It's a busy morning with lots of bodies and lots going on, but keeping your space clear, tidy, bright and airy will make such a difference to your mental health, keeping you calm and relaxed in a peaceful environment. We want to save all of your energy for enjoying your day, not for thinking about clutter!

The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the rest of the day. Take the time for your morning rituals, surround yourself with the most gorgeous energy from your favourote people, and designate people to keep the environment orgnaised. Getting ready in a safe and comforting setting will help you feel relaxed and at peace, ready for your ceremony and the celebrations to follow.

Remember to take your time, take a deep breath and remember what this day is all about - you are going to have an absolute ball from sunrise all the way to the party!

To learn more about the experience of working together and for more information on packages, get in touch - I absolutely cannot wait to hear from you,

Heather xx

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