Your big day has finally arrived, and you are about to commence the exciting task of getting yourself ready. Your dress (or suit) is on a hanger waiting, and you just want to put it on and see your partner, but there are a few things to remember before you race to the aisle.

Time inevitably slips away on the morning of your big day, and you may find that you hair or make up has taken longer than you imagined, so avoid any panics by laying out all of your accessories and shoes, and take off any labels, stickers or tags the night before. If you have had your nails done, the last thing you'll want is to do is be picking off stickers from the soles of shoes, or trying to wrestle with kimble tags when you are trying to keep to time and need to be stepping into your dress.

Bear in mind your dress style and indeed your hair style, if the dress is one that goes over your head but you have an intricate 'up-do', factor this in to your time allocated to get ready. I have heard stories about a brides dress not going over her hair, and it being cut and her being sewn back into it . . .ouch!

Make sure you also consider the timing of your ceremony. More often than not they take place between 12 and 2, which spans the lunchtime period. Make sure you have snacks to hand whilst getting ready, and something just before you leave. The nerves, and the champagne after the ceremony could find you in a pickle before you have sat down for the wedding breakfast! The same applies for bridesmaids and not forgetting, grooms and their ushers.

For grooms on the morning, remembering to get to the venue early so as to help set up final details, and of course to meet and greet is essential. Your groomsmen (or ushers) will also need to be on hand to check rings, tissues, and any copies of your vows that you are bringing with you. If there is a list of things to do, split them up and give each person an area of responsibility. That small amount of time after arrival and before guests reach the venue is quite short and so keep things simple and delegate. Don't forget the button holes (sorry, I had to mention this Alex!), as you wont want to delay the proceedings and run the risk of the bride arriving before the flowers. . . .

The most important thing to remember is to stay relaxed, plan ahead and then just enjoy the day. There will be things that crop up that may throw a bit of a spanner in the works but keep things in perspective and stay calm, it can all be worked out. Part of what I do as a celebrant is to help you identify potential sticking points ahead of time, and indeed to be on hand should something need attention on the day.

I am excited for all of my couples, and if it's your day coming up, I look forward to seeing you soon!

(Image from our photographer on the day at a Tournerbury Estate ceremony - Kathryn Edwards http://kathrynedwardsphotography.com/)

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