Wedding Day Survival Advice

The Day of
Rise and shine, it's your wedding day! Take a few deep breaths and stretch. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time. Even if you don't ordinarily eat breakfast, try to have more than just coffee.

Shower and put on deodorant, creams and or lotions so they have plenty of time to set. An important word on deodorants: nothing looks worse than a beautiful bride raising her arms to a toast or a dance and seeing cake-y white armpits! Please use the enclosed colorless and stainless roll-on deodorant we have provided to avoid this all too common mistake.

Put your stockings in the freezer. They will last longer, but don't forget to take them out and bring them with you if you are getting dressed some place else.

Dress in clothes that are easy to remove and will not have to go over your head. If you are wearing a low back or strapless dress, try not to wear a bra for several hours before getting ready. The straps and back clasp of your bra make a mark on your skin, which can often take several hours to disappear.

Move your engagement ring to your right hand.

If you are doing your own hair, leave plenty of time. If you are having a friend or hair dresser do it, be sure that you have your headpiece with you. Hair spray ruins real pearls, so be very careful to spray your hair before you put on pearls.

It's important that your headpiece and veil feel secure. A few extra bobby pins or hair pins never hurt. There is nothing more distracting or annoying then an unstable headpiece.

Apply your make-up. Whether you are doing your make-up yourself or have hired a make-up artist, be sure that you have decided on your look beforehand.

Put on your underwear, bra, stockings, petticoat or slip.

Wait until you are completely dresses to put on jewelry that might catch and pull your stockings or dress.

If you are wearing a garter, put it on, above your knee.

With a helper's assistance, step into your dress. If your dress has buttons and loops, do not zip the dress up completely. Start by zipping it up a little and buttoning about 3 buttons at a time. Then zip it up a little more and button 3 more buttons. Continue to do this until you get to the top. This will make it much easier! Plan for this to take at least 15 minutes.

"As my maid of honor began to zip me into my dress... the zipper pull broke away from the zipper. What could we use to get the zipper to pull up? A safety pin or hairpin slipped through in the place where the pull had been did the trick. Once the safety pin or hairpin was removed, no one would be the wiser."

Static cling doesn't care if you're a movie star or the star of your wedding day. Everyone wearing a long gown needs a little static protection. Be sure to pull down the layers of your petticoat if you have a full dress. Spray generously. You'll be happy you did. Use the static guard so that the only thing that clings to you is your husband!

Put on shoes. Let your helper be your princess charming. Don't bend down to do buckles or straps... the make-up monster is sure to get you! And if it does, you have a stain removal kit close at hand.

Now it's time for the finishing touches... jewelry... gloves...etc.

Before you pick up your bouquet, be sure that it is not wet and that any stamens that might have pollen on them have been removed. Pollen can create quite a mess.

After you put on your dress, be sure to hold it gently if you feel you must lift it to walk. Grabbing it makes wrinkles that show! Weddings are about moving forward. Backing up in a long dress can really trip you up!

Hems do come down and sometimes a needle and thread aren't practical or possible. Double sided tape will be helpful and works wonders. Your ushers might even be the ones asking for double sided tape. They are notorious for not paying attention to the hems of their pants.

Your nail breaks, some of the beads on your headpiece begin to break free, a pearl falls from an earring or necklace. Super glue to the rescue. Have someone with a steady hand open the glue for you and help you. Remember, a little goes a long way.

You know the usual places to use rubber bands! Did you know you could save an usher from the embarrassment of sleeves that are to long for his jacket? Simply have him slip the rubber band above the cuff to hold up extra fabric. When he puts on his jacket, no one will suspect his shirt isn't perfect.

Be sure the rings are safely in the hands of a responsible person. If you have a child carrying a ring pillow, we recommend that you attach fake rings to the pillow. This will allow the child and you to relax as they walk down the aisle.

Use large safety pins to assure that your bustle stays in place. We recommend you use these when the bustle is made, so you will be extra secure. Another important place for a safety pin is on a halter style dress. These dresses usually have only a few hooks or buttons to fasten them at the neck. Why not take the precaution of using a safety pin, too?

Don't be afraid of your photographer! Even celebrities, used to wrestling with paparazzi, find it difficult to say NO to their wedding photographer. Establish an understanding of what your expectations are before the day.

If you plan to have pictures taken before your ceremony, remember that a photographer has one thing in mind... the pictures! Make it clear to your photographer that a walk down a muddy hill, to a pretty pond, is not something you will do without the proper help. Or you might not do it at all. Be prepared to have someone assist you while pictures are being taken. Their job can be to just take care of you and your dress.

Keep a sense of humor! Remember that this day is all about love and celebration. We know that brides are perfectionists and a wedding is like putting on a show. Have no fear, with your Wedding Day Essentials Kit you have the knowledge of professionals close at hand.