A wedding means so much to so many people. Fingers crossed this is a once in a lifetime experience, so you want to make sure you do it right. Not only is it special for the happy couple, but is also an important day for their family and friends – many of whom may have been waiting to see this day for many many years. But although everyone puts so much emphasis and importance on the special day, it’s really the years to come as a married couple that are important! So how do you make the most of your big day?

1. No-One Is Born Ready, Especially Not For This

No pressure, but you are going to be photographed at numerous points during the day. And those photos will be in an album that you pull out to look at, time and again. So your hair, your outfit and your makeup (probably!) need to be on point. This may take some time, and professional intervention. Make sure everything is scheduled properly. Time can fly away if you don’t keep an eye on it.

2. Get You To The Church (Or Venue) On Time

Arriving late for a wedding is the bride’s prerogative, but there is a line. Only you know the exact location of that line between a little late and “Okay guys, go home, no wedding today!”. Don’t push it, is the take-home message here. Be ready for the wedding, arrive and get married. That’s what the day is about.

3. Stay On Top Of The Reception Guest List

Your wedding reception is usually going to have more people at it than the wedding itself. There are people who can set the whole day aside, and then people who can be there in the evening. It’s important that you know how many people will be there, because this drives every aspect of the reception. Paying for catering, an open bar and even wholesale table napkins will depend on having the numbers right.

4. The Honeymoon Starts Here

Not everybody has a honeymoon in the traditional sense. Leave the reception, go to the airport, start married life somewhere warm. That’s how it’s sold. But not everybody has the time or the money to do this. Maybe you’ll take a break somewhere close by. Maybe a couple of nights in the hotel where the reception is held. Whatever the case, it’s time for you and your new spouse to be newlyweds. Enjoy it!

Doing a wedding is in the long term not as important as doing a marriage right. However, you won’t get many chances to do this, so it is important to do it in style. Look on it as the launch pad for your life together. And wouldn’t you want to start as you mean to go on?