How to make sure you don’t end your wedding day saying, “I Wish I Had…” or “I Never Got To…”
My favorite parts of a wedding day are the in-between moments… the unplanned memories that happen during the transitions of the day.
Wedding days are full of excitement, but they’re also filled with timelines, guests, vendors, and lots of activities.
It can be easy to get swept up in the rush of the day and the excitement of celebrating with hundreds of your favorite people. Then suddenly, you’re at the end of the night, realizing you never took a moment to truly take it all in, or simply pause and breathe, or look each other in the eyes and say ‘Oh My Gosh, We’re Married!!!’
Here are a few of my favorite moments throughout a wedding day that naturally create the perfect opportunity to slow down and soak it all in.
First Look
I must admit, I am a sucker for the first look happening at the aisle. However, first looks are a wonderful way to calm the jitters and share a moment with your soon-to-be husband or wife before the rush of the wedding day begins.
First touches are a wonderful compromise if you want to save the big reveal for the aisle while still having a private moment together. If time allows, an intimate breakfast together on the morning of your wedding is also a lovely way to soak in the day and talk about all of the “I can’t waits” that are still to come.
Post-Ceremony Pause
Following the GRANDEST moment of the day, the “I Do’s,” take a moment together before the immediate family photo rush begins. While everyone is gathering themselves, admire the new wedding bands on your hands and maybe even sneak a peek at all of your loved ones gathered together to celebrate you.
If there’s not time before family photos, consider driving to your next location just the two of you. Use that time to talk about your mornings leading up to the ceremony, relive the moment you said “I Do,” and share everything you’re looking forward to at the reception.
Reception First Look
The calm before the reception.
A reception first look allows you to see all of the hours of planning and ideas come to life in an intimate setting before your guests enter the room. This is one of my favorite moments because you finally get to see all of the mood boards, mock-ups, and design decisions come together.
It’s also a beautiful opportunity for you and your new spouse to soak in the moment together. Take a few minutes after your reception reveal, while you’re preparing for your grand entrance, to simply pause and take it all in, just the two of you. These moments are already built into the timeline; you just have to choose to make them meaningful.
Golden Hour Getaway
Golden hour photos are the PERFECT excuse to sneak away for a romantic in-between moment together.
You’re already pulled away from the reception and your guests know you’re busy, so take the opportunity to extend your golden hour getaway by five or ten minutes. Use that time to simply soak in the moment.
Whether that’s looking back at the reception and seeing the celebration you thoughtfully planned unfolding before you, or finding a nearby bench to watch the sunset and let the emotions of the day settle in, golden hour creates the perfect setting to just be newlyweds before heading back inside to dance the rest of the night away.
Private Last Dance
This is such a beautiful moment and the grandest way to conclude the evening.
After a day full of excitement, celebration, and countless memories, find three minutes at the very end of the night to be in each other’s arms and soak up the final moments. Before the lights come on and the festivities officially end, take one last opportunity to reflect on the day and celebrate the beginning of your next chapter together.
When creating timelines for our couples, I intentionally pencil in these in-between moments. Not only to remind couples to take time for themselves, but also to inform the vendor team so that, together, we can protect those moments and ensure you have time to simply be newlyweds.
The truth is, most of these moments are already built into the wedding day. It’s just a matter of intentionally recognizing them. Because years from now, I don’t want you to remember the timeline, I want you to remember the memories and how it felt. The quiet moments, the deep breaths, the stolen glances, and the feeling of soaking in one of the most meaningful days of your life.
Yours truly,
Gillian