Imagine answering 50 calls, responding to 100 texts, and hearing 150 Instagram notifications coming through… not so relaxing on the morning of your nuptials, right? Relinquish your phone to a trusted person, who will remain nearby throughout the day and is free to screen your calls and only bother you with the super important ones. Anything else, including well wishes, can wait till tomorrow! 

Pro tip: Don’t put the wedding morning playlist on your phone, as it will be ping ping pinging through all your fave tunes with well wishes! 

Step Two: Eat eats & drink drinks

Start the day with something nice and substantial in your tummy, and something you know agrees with you. If you tend to bloat with gluten, this is not the day to throw caution to the wind and order pancakes. Stick with what you know makes you feel good and try to up the protein and limit the sugar. Protein and complex carbs will sustain you, while sugar comes with a high… but remember what comes up, must come down. And hydrate! 

Step Three: Pamper yesterday

The time you have to get your makeup done, your hair, eat, relax… trying to fit in things like painting your toenails and tanning (yes, I know it’s obvious, but I’ve seen it…) is not ideal. Get your spray tan, manicures and pedicures a day or two before your wedding, so they are fresh. 

Step Four: Practice the tricky bits

If there are parts of the wedding that you are anxious about, practice them before the day. If you are worried about your speech, practice in front of a friend you feel comfortable with as many times as you can. If you are concerned about walking in heels, put them on as frequently as possible in the lead up to the big day. If you are worried you are going to mess up your first kiss or first dance, well this will be stacks of fun to practice in advance with your fiancé! This preparation will prevent you from building up the nerves all morning. 

Step Five: Delegate, delegate, delegate! 

I would be surprised if you hadn’t heard this before, but handing over on-the-day jobs to trusted family and friends is so important. Make sure the people you choose are not your bridesmaids, though. You need them there in the room with you. 

Step Six: Be Selective 

Limit the number of people in the room to your inner circle. This is the one time I would recommend you get your clique and don’t allow yourselves to be infiltrated. I give you permission to snob it up like a little snobby snob. Because this: drop ins will halt the process of your getting ready when you’re strapped for time, or you won’t be in a position to stop the proceedings and you will end up feeling guilty for not giving them the attention they deserve. Let everyone know you’re looking forward to seeing them at the celebration and making a big entrance – that’s usually enough to deter drop ins. Threats I don’t recommend, but you do what you gotta do, no judgement.

Step Seven: Keep a Simple Schedule

Your hair and makeup artist will most likely work together to ensure they each have someone in their chair being beautified, and they get the job done smoothly. Unless they ask for it, you won’t need to provide a strict running schedule. The one thing you should do early on is ask your photographer what time they will need you to be done with hair and makeup and ready for some pre-dress photos.

Note: they will plan to arrive a little earlier to take some shots of your dress, rings, flowers and the getting-ready process. Don’t mistake this time and rip yourself off from having a little extra getting ready time! So if your photographer says, “I’ll be there at 12:30” – be sure to clarify if that’s when you need to be completely ready, or if you have an extra 30-60 minutes to play with, because you just might need it! 

Images by Klee Photography from Lauren and Joe’s Sunshine Beach wedding 

The post 7 Steps to a Relaxed Wedding Day Morning appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Sure, it may seem like a less important factor than, say, your wedding dress, who’s going to sit where or what kind of flowers you’re going to have… However, it is vital for your wedding morning outfit to fulfil some paramount criteria.

• It must be cute and photogenic.
• It must be button-down, wrap-around, or be able to be stretched to a point where your once done hair and makeup is not disturbed.
• It must set you apart from the rest, so all around you shall know and declare, “These gals are something else. And what’s more, they run this show.”

A short list, but an essential one. It’s what you’ll be wearing for hours on end, while you get your hairs did and your mug makeupped, eat your last supper as a single lady… And of course get your first photos of your wedding day.

Amiga, I have curated a collection of 22 wedding morning getups to help you finalise this vital decision. You’re welcome.

 I can see why these ladies are laughing it up – they’re living the monogrammed dream! Image by Todd Hunter McGaw. You don’t always adhere to labels, but when you do, they define your special role on the most special of days and they are embroidered onto your back, so they are pretty darn fine. Jennifer Oliphant Photographer. Keepin’ it real, yo, with wedding day flannos. Image by Andrea Sproxton Photography.   Dad’s oversized Hawaiian shirt! Image by Lara and Susie Photographers.

Wedding trucker caps anyone? At least until it’s time to get your hair done… Image by Lara and Susie Photographers.

  And in the glam corner, we have colourful kaftans… Image by Nicky Stone – Photographer.

… And gorgeous flowy dresses. Image by Nicky Stone – Photographer. You could always dress everyone in matching robes of floral… Image by Janneke Storm.  … Flamingoes… Image by Nicky Stone – Photographer.  … Stripes… Image by Adriana Watson Photography.

 … Or black and white foliage. Image by Bayleigh Vedelago.

 …Or let the bride stand out, starting the day in traditional white. The image of purity! Images by Byron loves Fawn.

 You could always colour everyone happily ever after! Image by Nick Evans Photo.  Even a little ribbon to give the bride distinction works. Image by When Elephant Met Zebra.  Now this one is smart: you put the date on your robe, wear it every day after the wedding and your hubby will never have the excuse that he forgot your anniversary! Image by Life and Love Photography.

A little bit of lace says, “My wedding day is today, and I’m owning it.” Image by Moments by Frankie.

 Let your floral flag fly! Image by Stacey Schramm Photography.  Maybe even match it perfectly with your fresh flower hair piece? I won’t judge… Except when I tell you you’re through to the next round of awesomeness, obviously. Image by Lindy Yewen Photography.   Just get some super cute tees and shorts, yo. Image by Tahlea Blunt Photography. Singlets work fine, too. Get your comfies on girl, we don’t mind! Image by Matt Rowe Photography.

 Go sexy-contemporary with lovely long shirts, and/or a little racy black lace showing through… Nick Evans Photo.

Most importantly: don’t forget your little gal pals, too! Images by Lou O’Brien.

The post 22 Cute-As-Anything Wedding Morning Outfits appeared first on The Bride's Tree.