16 Things Couples Wish They'd Known Before Their Wedding

With all the time and attention to detail you put into planning your wedding, it might seem impossible that you’ll actually be caught off guard by something unexpected, right? But you should still be prepared for it. After all, at every wedding, there are things you only find out or understand on or after the big day. As is so often the case, the saying “hindsight is 20/20” applies to wedding celebrations as well—even if you’ve thought through and planned everything down to the last detail. The following tips are meant to help you avoid at least a few of the most common “aha” moments that many couples experience only during or after the wedding.

Take the time to clean and tidy up your home one last time before the big day! Not only does this take your mind off all the excitement, but it’s also a wonderful feeling to start this new chapter of your life in a clean home.

Hire a wedding planner! It simply makes everything easier—not just for you, but for everyone involved. You’ll have more time to focus on the things that really matter. And, of course, your wedding will still turn out exactly the way you want it to.

Delete your weather app! It doesn’t matter at all whether the sun is shining or it’s pouring rain on your wedding day. It’ll be beautiful because all your loved ones will be there to celebrate with you.

Book a couple’s photo shoot with your wedding photographer! This way, you’ll not only get to know him and his style better, but you’ll also feel relaxed and at ease during your wedding photo shoot.  

Be sure to invite only the guests you really want to have there.

Call all your wedding vendors again the week before and check to see if everything is going according to plan.

Consider switching to comfortable shoes in the evening so you don’t have to cut back on the fun. If you’re buying new shoes for the wedding, be sure to break them in.

Feel free to clearly let your guests know (preferably in the invitation) what gifts you do and don’t want.

Make sure to check with your caterer or venue that the needs of any vegans, vegetarians, or guests with food allergies among your guests are taken into account.

Don’t go to bed too late the night before, so you can start your long, exciting wedding day well-rested and feeling great.

Eat breakfast! Even if you’re usually not big on breakfast—your body will thank you, because a wedding day is especially taxing on it.

Be open to everything—even minor hiccups. The unexpected makes your day special and provides exciting stories to tell.

On your wedding day, treat yourselves to a brief moment alone together—in a secret hideaway. Without friends, without a photographer.

Make sure your guests silence their cell phones and keep them in their pockets during the wedding ceremony so they can fully immerse themselves in this beautiful moment. This will not only allow your wedding photographer to work more effectively but also capture more beautiful shots. It would be a shame if the emotional expressions on your loved ones’ faces were obscured by smartphones in your wedding photos…

Treat yourselves to a manicure, even if you normally never do that. You’ll see that it was the right decision, at the very latest, when you see the close-up shots of the ring exchange!

If you have children and/or many guests are bringing their kids, be sure to book professional childcare. This ensures that the adults don’t miss any important moments and that both young and old can enjoy the day to the fullest.