5 things people forget when planning a wedding ceremony
You’ve bagged the venue, the flowers, the food, and found an outfit that you can move and shake in until last orders. But when it comes to your ceremony — the main event, the reason everyone’s gathered — even the best-organised nearlyweds forget a few key things!
Here are five often-overlooked practicalities to consider in the lead up to the big day. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later…
1. Plan where you’ll stand (and how long you’ll be there)
It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often people forget about this. Do you want to face each other the whole time? Stand side by side? Give your legs a rest and sit down for a bit? Where do you want your wedding party to be? Can Nan actually see you from her seat?
I’ll help you plan the layout so it’s comfortable and natural, and I can be in cahoots with your photographer to make sure they can get all the shots they need with minimal obstructions.
2. Think about the weather (even if you’re indoors)
Sun in your eyes, wind in your veil, sweat patches on silk. Yep, Mother Nature sure does love to crash a wedding. If you’re outside, think shade and sound (wind and microphones are sworn enemies). If you’re indoors, think about the temperature, lighting, and making sure guests aren’t melting or shivering.
I can help you think about all of this in advance so whatever happens, it feels breezy in the right way — not like a battle with the elements.
3. Sort the sound and the view
If your guests can’t see or hear you, they’ll spend your ceremony doing an awkward lean-and-squint. Make sure everyone can hear your vows clearly (especially outdoors) and that no one’s stuck behind a floral arch or pillar.
If you’d like me to visit your venue beforehand, I’ll help you position things so your voices carry, your faces show, and your guests actually get to witness your “I do” — not just imagine it.
4. Run through the cues
I always encourage my nearlyweds to run through the ceremony logistics ahead of time. This way, we’ll make sure everyone knows their cues, the readers are ready, the music flows and no one’s left whispering “is it my bit now?” halfway through.
Think of it as a mini dress rehearsal without the stress so when the big moment comes, it all looks effortless (and you can actually enjoy it).
5. Appoint a ceremony sidekick
I’m a big advocate of a ceremony sidekick… someone who knows what’s supposed to happen and when, but isn’t too tangled up in the pre-wedding whirlwind to actually notice when things go a bit sideways.
Think of them as your behind-the-scenes hero. They know your cues, your plans and where the tissues are hidden. They can gather guests, pass the rings, hand you a glass of water and be a reassuring face when things feel a bit squeaky.
And selfishly, it’s handy for me to have someone else on the inside too. Together, we’ll make sure you can enjoy getting hitched without any glitches.
