27 Tips for a Smooth + Easy Wedding Day

Are you wondering how to make your wedding day go smoothly? You’ve come to the right place! Avoid hassles and plan ahead with these tips for a smooth wedding day. Subscribe for the latest to your inbox.

You want your wedding day to be fun and memorable, but you also want it to be trouble-free. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds? Absolutely!

If you want a stress-free wedding, read these helpful tips. We’re covering easy timelines, simple checklists, and tried-and-true tips for a well-ordered wedding day. These are some of the most brilliant yet effortless tips that ensure a smooth wedding day for all. Let’s help you get there: plain sailing ahead! :)

First, let’s talk about the basics. If you don’t do these things, you’re looking to add a little chaos to your day. I’m a pretty good chaos coordinator, but let’s not add too much to the mix. ;)

WEDDING TIP #1: Don’t take everything too seriously

First and foremost, keep your priorities in check. If you remember why you’re planning the wedding day — to marry your best friend — chances are you won’t worry so much about the minor details. Focus on the marriage. That’s the most important part.

WEDDING TIP #2: Hire a wedding coordinator

If you really want to ensure a smooth wedding day, hire a day-of or full-service wedding planner.

You’ll never regret that feeling of… everything is handled. (Need me to handle it? If you are getting married in Michigan, let me help!)

WEDDING TIP #3: Pamper yourself

If there is any time in your life when you deserve to pamper yourself, your wedding day is it. Allow yourself time to be pampered with hair and makeup services by a professional. Relax, unwind, and let the stylists take care of your wedding day look. By doing so, you’ll enjoy the moment without stressing out about makeup application and hairstyle going awry; plus, you’ll get some time to just sit and relax before the ceremony.

WEDDING TIP #4: Create a wedding timeline and share it

Make a wedding-day timeline or itinerary and share it with your wedding vendors, close family, and wedding party attendants. A timeline like this will be thorough and detailed, giving you the opportunity to keep an accurate timeline of events.

You can also make changes in real-time, when and if necessary, and update all parties involved by text. (Um, brilliant!) This is probably one of the best tips for a smooth wedding and deserves to be highlighted, underlined, and bolded — whatever you need to do to remember it, do it.

WEDDING TIP #5: Set up a photo-sharing gallery

One extremely easy way to make your wedding day smooth is to have a photo-sharing gallery set up beforehand. You’ll want an easy way to wrangle all the photos your guests take. It’s nearly impossible to get them AFTER the big day, so make it easy by offering it at the wedding itself.

• Get your gallery here, then create a QR code to your photo gallery link. Finally, print it out on a sign like this and display it at your wedding. Done!

WEDDING TIP #6: Avoid fire hazards

Go flameless: you can avoid fire hazards at your wedding ceremony and reception by using flameless candles. Flameless LED candles are as innovative as ever, designed to look and flicker just like a real flame. It will make your wedding day smooth because you won’t be concerned that paper cards, menus, table numbers, and more will catch on fire.

For taper candles, I use these:

For tealight candles in votive holders, I use these:

WEDDING TIP #7: Have a backup venue in case of inclement weather

Have a backup plan in case your outdoor ceremony looks like an all-day rainout.

While it may not be your ideal location, getting married in your backup space will allow you to recite your “I Do’s” in front of family and guests without everyone standing around, sopping wet.

WEDDING TIP #8: Plan ahead for outdoor receptions with these niceties

Guests won’t ask for them, but if you offer these nice party favors at an outdoor summer wedding, they’ll sincerely appreciate it. Place a few of each on a table with a sign reading, “Please help yourself”.

• Bug Spray or Bug Repellent Wristbands

• Sunscreen

• Hand Sanitizer

• Tissues

• Hand Wipes

• Bottles of Water

WEDDING TIP #9: Wear comfortable shoes

Make sure you buy the most comfortable wedding shoes you can. It makes a huge difference in your overall attitude on your wedding day, and your aim is happy (and not painful hurting feet).

Here’s a pair of comfy heels that everyone swears by:

Or a pair of bridal flats that are oh-so-comfortable (and chic!)

For more suggestions, read: 50 Most Comfortable Pairs of Wedding Shoes Ever.

WEDDING TIP #10: Book transportation

Traveling on your wedding day is a huge pain that is best avoided, if your budget allows. Save yourself the hassle and book transportation to the ceremony and reception, and then back to your hotel following the reception. This will ensure a smooth wedding travel schedule, and give you less stress in the process.

You deserve it, especially on your wedding day.

WEDDING TIP #11: Make a timeline for your wedding party

While you’re making your wedding day timeline, carve out one section just for the wedding party. (If you use this timeline maker, you’ll be able to send individual timelines for wedding party attendants to them directly.)

Your wedding day will be more straightforward for all involved in the wedding party if they know where to be and at what time.

Include the meeting times in the morning, when to be available for photos, what time everyone should be dressed, the time for the wedding party to arrive at the ceremony, and the time for the reception to begin. Include addresses of each venue in case they aren’t clear where to go, and this way they can enter it into their GPS for directions.

WEDDING TIP #12: Don’t overlook activities

Avoid the temptation to book too many activities on your wedding weekend, especially right before the wedding day itself. You can experience burnout and, frankly, it won’t be a good way for your wedding day to be as smooth as possible. You’ll be left feeling drained, and that’s not what you want on the big day.

Also, avoid overbooking AFTER the wedding. It’s nice for the family or friends to arrange a morning-after brunch, but maybe you and your partner are ready to jet-set on your honeymoon. Go for it: do what makes you happy.

WEDDING TIP #13: Have a vendor list on you at all times

Print out your vendor contact information and have it on your phone or in a printout in your purse. In the event you or someone needs to get in contact with a vendor, you will have their phone number right away.

WEDDING TIP #14: Recite your wedding vows in booklets

Even if you’ve memorized your vows, it’s a good idea to keep them written down in a booklet for referring to at the ceremony. You may get a case of nerves and forget what you wrote, but your vow books can assist you.

WEDDING TIP #15: Make a wedding website

If you don’t have one, you’re missing out: get a free wedding website here. Without one, you’re letting guests bombard you with ALL THE QUESTIONS and that’s not necessary.

Then, take it one step further and print out the website address on a QR code card and place it in your wedding invitation suite. Now guests will have access to up-to-the-minute updates, if needed, ahead of the nuptials. That’s sure to make for a smooth wedding day!

• Make a free QR code here, then upload it to a personalized card here. Done!

WEDDING TIP #16: Eat and stay hydrated.

Don’t forget to eat!

Also, drink plenty of water. You’ll need to keep yourself hydrated, especially if you’re getting married in hot or humid weather. And don’t overdo it on the caffeine or beverages.

WEDDING TIP #17: Bring a wedding day emergency kit.

Stock it with everything you may need, just to be ready for anything. Read: 20 Must-Have Items for the Ultimate Wedding Emergency Kit. You can make your own to buy one, pre-assembled. It even has a pouch for your Something Blue!

WEDDING TIP #18: Bring a fabric steamer.

This is one of the best ways to make your wedding smooth: bring a fabric steamer! Use it to smooth out those wrinkles from your bridal gown, veil, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits, and anything else that needs a quick steam before the big moment, including table linens.

This is the only one I use and it’s ideal for travel. Don’t let the cheap price tag fool you, it’s awesome. By Hilife.

WEDDING TIP #19: Spend time alone, together

The day can go by in a blur. If you don’t carve out even a few moments alone together, you may miss out on some memorable moments.

The best time to do this is immediately following the ceremony prior to the reception. Pad in a little extra time to your timeline and allow for some breathing room. You’ll be glad you did.

WEDDING TIP #20: Let it go

Every wedding has some minor flaw or detail that goes awry, that’s just the game of life! Most of the time, it goes absolutely unnoticed by guests… and, if you hire an amazing wedding planner, you’ll never even know it happened yourself. ;) That’s what I do.

Don’t sweat the small stuff if, for some reason, something does go not as planned. It happens! Find the humor in it and laugh it off. Whoever is in charge of that particular item or detail will surely handle it, and you should smile through it anyway.

WEDDING TIP #21: Get started as early in the morning as possible

If you’re booking hair and makeup for your wedding day, make the appointment as early as you can. Time slips away so quickly and everything takes longer on your wedding day; if you begin early, you won’t be panicked or rushed finishing your style, getting dressed, and heading to the ceremony on time.

WEDDING TIP #22: Create a separate timeline with your photographer

For a smooth wedding day, you’ll want all vendors on the same page. You can keep everyone in the loop, especially your photographer, by having a separate timeline for them. Create it here, include the list of photos you’d like to have, where you’ll meet for photos, when, and the address.

You’ll likely discuss this with them ahead of the wedding day, but having that finalized timeline is important to apprise everyone of any changes at the last minute.

WEDDING TIP #23: Ask your DJ or emcee to announce these two things

It is helpful to have your DJ announce where your guest book is and to invite guests to sign it, as well as where the favors are located and to please take them home. This way, you won’t have a guest book without any signatures and a basket full of unused wedding favors at the end of the evening.

WEDDING TIP #24: Make sure your vendors are given a meal

Be sure you invite the appropriate wedding vendors to join you for the wedding dinner. Here’s a list of the wedding vendors who get a meal.

WEDDING TIP #25: Prepare gratuity envelopes ahead of time

Don’t forget to tip your wedding vendors generously and have the amounts pre-filled out in envelopes before the wedding day.

You’ll hand them out to the vendors directly at the wedding (given their service is professional and well done). You can have the Best Man or Maid of Honor be in charge of passing out the gratuities if they are trustworthy enough to do so.

If you’re not sure how much to tip, read: How Much Should You Tip Wedding Vendors for the complete guide.

WEDDING TIP #26: Repeat this mantra: “Everything Is Fixable”

Repeating this mantra that everything — and I mean literally everything — is fixable or replaceable will ensure a smooth wedding day.

Don’t get caught up in the minor details. If something comes up, it can be fixed. The important part is you’re married to your partner by the end of the day, and then it was a huge success.

WEDDING TIP #27: Smile and savor it

Seriously, enjoy it. It goes by way too fast!

I hope that by implementing these wedding tips, you feel confident that your wedding day will be organized, cohesive, and go off without a hitch! Happy planning!

xo
Emma