Years ago I attended the wedding of a friend in a charming seaside town on the south-coast of England.
The ceremony itself was absolutely lovely, but “disaster” struck during the reception when, during a lull in proceedings, we were all invited outside to slurp delicious ice cream whilst enjoying the pleasant weather and beautiful sea views.
I remember turning, ice cream in hand, to a friend and saying, “Well, isn’t this lovely!” but a moment after uttering those words I noticed a shadow… followed almost immediately by aggressive flapping and squawking.
Yes, dear reader, I had become a victim of a brutal (and impressively coordinated, to be fair) seagull attack. Two of them attacked me from above while the third succeeded in knocking the ice cream out of my hand.
As I looked around, I saw that I was by-no-means the only one to suffer such an attack. Guests everywhere were hopping about whilst loudly swearing or screaming.
Perhaps worst of all, the mother-of-the-bride herself had fallen victim to the feathered beasts.
A few moments later, I surveyed the scene of devastation, with many ice creams lost, feasting seagulls all around, and several crying children.
However, did this unfortunate event cast a shadow over the day? Of course not.
Two minutes later we were all back inside, the children with replacement ice creams, and everyone was immediately laughing about what had just happened.
In fact, every time I have seen the couple since, the “attack of the killer seagulls” always comes up in conversation and we always have a good old giggle about it. If anything (and I think the now husband and wife would agree) the incident, whilst not ideal at the time, actually helped to make the day memorable and has provided a good story to tell as the years have rolled by.
My point, I suppose, is that if something goes wrong on your wedding day, the best response in 99% of cases is just to laugh it off and chalk it down as a good story to tell in the future.
That being said, there are a few things you can do to make sure no true disasters befall you on your big day.
Get ahead and stay organised
Planning a wedding needn’t be stressful, the key is giving yourself plenty of time. Get all the big stuff (venue, catering, flowers… videographer of course!) sorted at least six months before the big day.
Once the fundamentals are in place, you can relax a bit and think about those little personal touches that will make the day even more special for you and your guests.
As the day itself draws onto the horizon, create a detailed timeline and checklist to keep track of all the tasks leading up to, and including, the wedding day. Share it with everyone involved so that you all know what’s going on. This will help feel in control and reduce any last-minute stress.
Hire Reliable People
A brilliant wedding day will involve services from a number of companies coming together at the right moment. So it’s vital to hire people you can trust to come up with the goods and provide a smooth service on the day.
Read reviews and ask friends for recommendations. Then schedule meetings with vendors so you can talk to them face-to-face to ensure they understand your vision and can deliver the services you expect.
Delegate Responsibilities
Trying to handle everything on your own is a recipe for a stressful wedding day. So delegate tasks to trusted friends, family members, or a wedding planner.
Assign someone to be the point person for any issues or questions that may arise on the day, so you can focus on having a jolly lovely time.
Have a Backup Plan
Prepare for potential mishaps by having contingency plans in place. Whether it’s an indoor backup option for an outdoor ceremony or spare copies of important documents, having backup plans will help you feel more relaxed and prepared for any unexpected situations.
Last But Not Least… Take Care of Yourself
In the midst of the wedding preparations, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Get enough rest, eat well, and stay hydrated. Consider practising stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga to keep yourself calm and centred. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being will allow you to fully enjoy your special day.
Remember, while planning is important, also be prepared to go with the flow and embrace the unexpected. Often those “off-script” moments are the ones we look back on with the most fondness (and amusement!) in years to come. So cherish every moment, don’t let any small hiccups upset you, and have an absolutely fabulous day!