You’ve spent months planning the wedding of your dreams and although you’ve ticked everything off the list you still can’t help but worry that something may go wrong. Whilst we cannot guarantee a completely fault free day, we can certainly try and help you get as close to that as possible by taking a look at 6 must have wedding day back ups!
1. Wardrobe Malfunctions
When Princess Diana got married she had an exact replica of her dress and shoes made in case something went wrong with the originals. Whilst we are not suggesting it is necessary to buy two of everything just in case, it is worth being ready for potential wardrobe malfunctions.
Loose threads, buttons, snapped straps etc – Keep a mini sewing kit to hand which should include a needle and thread (to match the colour of your outfit), safety pins, a small pair of scissors and double sided tape for naughty hems!
Marks and stains – A clean white flannel and a small bottle of a delicate hand wash detergent is useful for cleaning off any unwanted stains. (Not recommended for silk or satin gowns as it may leave a water mark). Dampen the flannel, apply the tiniest amount of the detergent and gently blot. Do not scrub as it could damage the fibers of the fabric. Then use a damp, soap free, corner of the flannel to gently dab the area to remove any excess detergent.
Nip slips – For those wearing a plunging neckline, let’s not give any of the old folk a heart attack and invest in some tit tape!
2. Sore Feet
So you went shopping with a pair of sensible shoes in mind and came back with 4.5 inch Jimmy Choo’s…we get it, they were calling your name right?! However after about 8 hours of being on your feet, your strut is going to have turned into a hobble. Here are a couple of wedding day back ups for saving your soles!
Gel pads – These will help cushion the soles of your feet and reduce that splitting feeling you get after standing up too long.
Heel grips – If your shoes are slipping at the back they will eventually rub away to raw skin or create a blister. Not nice! Invest in some heel grips which will also mean your feet won’t slip out your shoe as you walk down the aisle.
Talcum powder/antiperspirant – You are more prone to blisters if your feet are sweaty, so lightly dust your feet in talcum powder or spray antiperspirant on them through out the day to ensure they stay dry.
Sensible shoes – If you only want to wear one pair of shoes through out the day, the ideal pair would be about 1 to 2 inches high. Enough height to make you walk elegantly, but small enough that they will still be comfortable late into the night.
A second pair of shoes – If you are not prepared to compromise on those sky scraping stilettos, have a spare pair of flats for the evening which you can change into and dance the night away!
3. Anxiety and Nerves
It is only natural to feel nervous and anxious in the run up to and on the day of your wedding – Will my dress fit? Has the best man remembered the rings? What if I trip when I’m walking down the aisle?! I hate being center of attention!
For some it only manifests itself in the form of tummy butterflies, but for others it can be far more crippling. Panic attacks, sleep issues, muscle tension and chronic indigestion are just a few of the symptoms. If you are prone to, or have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it is worth visiting your GP in advance of the wedding day. Getting your nerves and anxiety under control before your big day (or at least haviving a back up plan in case they rear their ugly head!) will help put your mind to rest.
Anxiety rashes on the chest and face are also a common occurrence and can cause worry and embarrassment, especially to a bride who is planning on wearing a strapless dress. Make up will only cover up so much of the rash and lets face it, you don’t want to be caked in the stuff before you get into your perfect, pristine dress! Bare in mind that after a while, the rash will subside, as you get use to your role as a bride. Instead accessorise with a veil which can cover your face and chest or a pretty illusion jacket which can be removed later on if you feel like it. Embrace that role of the blushing bride!
4. Beauty
Tears, kissing, blustery winds or the humid summer heat – all factors that will affect your hair and make up. Make sure you have a little bag with all your beauty essentials to ensure you stay looking fresh throughout the day including waterproof mascara, foundation/concealer, lipgloss/liptick, anti shine blotting sheets, hair spray and hair pins. If the weather’s going to be warm opt for oil free make up and carry a couple of q-tips to delicately remove any smudged make up.
5. Weather
Let’s face it, mother nature has a mind of her own, especially in the UK. No matter what time of the year, one minute it could be bright sunshine and the next torrential rain!
Wet weather – Make sure the bridal party has umbrellas for a dash between venues and a change of shoes (wedding wellies!) to ensure your best ones don’t get ruined. You will want to allocate a couple of bridesmaids to carry your train off the ground too.
Are you planning on marrying outside? Ask the venue if it has a back up plan in case it rains.
Hot weather – If you are planning on spending time outside make sure you take precautions to ensure you don’t burn. You’re unlikely to want to apply greasy sun cream which could stain your dress, so invest in a pretty parasol to shade you from the midday heat and sun. Equally ensure you don’t burn before you big day and if you’re wearing a strapless dress, make sure you don’t get any strap marks!
For brides wearing a dress with a full skirt, a hooped petticoat is highly recommended. It’ll keep the skirt of the dress of your legs so that they don’t get hot and sweaty!
It is also important to ensure your guests don’t get too hot and bothered. Our personalised paper fans make great favours for a spring or summer wedding and could be left on each seat at the reception for your guests to use throughout the day.
6. Insurance
Unfortunately, however much we plan, we can’t always preempt everything that can go wrong and for this very reason we cannot stress how important it is for you to invest in good wedding insurance. It may feel like a large expense when you are trying to budget, but it will be even more expensive if your wedding has to be cancelled or postponed due to issues out of your control. Make sure you are covered at the beginning of your wedding planning before you start making any payments. This will ensure you are covered if any of the companies you are using goes bankrupt.
