Fourteenth: Marie's Best Wedding Day Tips

Wedding Day Tips

Jun 14

At the end of your wedding day, you will have cherished memories and hope that your photos capture them. As a sage designer, I have a few unique tips to offer you that you won’t find anywhere else.

“My top tips are meant to help you preserve the moments you dreamed of, avoid mistakes not commonly known, and love the results of your custom bridal accessory style!”

— Marie Hunt

Wedding Day Tips You Might Not Have Thought About

“How many vendors contact their brides after their wedding day to see how it went? I ask my brides: Was it all you dreamed of? Was it easy to place your headpiece? Did your veil blow? How did your guests react? Did you experience any snafus? ”

Tip #1- Bobby pin over the comb of your veil.

Some of my brides have experienced wedding veil snafus. The wind literally took Rachael’s wedding veil. A bobby pin or two will make you and your veil feel more secure.

Accessory and veil placement should be practiced.

It is impossible to precisely replicate your hair trial and bridal accessory placement on your wedding day. Go with the flow! Before permanently placing your headpiece, do a run-through. Always remember to start placement above where you want to land, then settle in and pin down. The same goes for your veil. The sweet spot for veil placement is often at the nubby (indent) on the top back crown of your head. The more forward the veil is placed, it will be laying over your shoulders, and you may find yourself swatting at it to keep it out of your face. The lower you place it on the back of your head, the more it will stream down your back and not outspread, and you won’t see it in frontal pics.

Hairspray will ruin your headpiece for a lifetime!

Yes…that is a cool pic of your stylist spraying hairspray on your finished hairstyle and accessory—-but the damage to your headpiece will be forever! If you have a quality headpiece designed with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal, hairspray will cause irreparable harm to the piece you may want to pass down. Hairspray will eat through the freshwater pearl and stick to crystals for years, creating a golden coating that attracts dirt and grime from the air. Brides bring their heirloom family pieces to me, hoping I can reverse years of hairspray damage. It is a tedious and costly process.

TOP TIP—Spray your hair, let it dry, and place your bridal accessory!

Plan for Headpiece and Accessory Photos.

While it is lovely to have pics of your wedding invitation, earrings, and perfume, perfectly staged, detailed headpiece and accessory photos are often overlooked on your wedding day. Many brides are disappointed to find out that no pictures of their custom headpiece or vintage restyle were taken. Think ahead and discuss with your photographer so you have no regrets—plan for those accessory shots so there are no tears when you open your photo gallery.

Your Hands Make Beautiful Photos.

Your hands are a beautiful way to accentuate the small details of your wedding veil. The tiny pearls on Brittany’s custom veil came from her mom’s wedding veil.

Your Veil Doesn’t Have to Exit After The Ceremony!

How much money did you spend on your dream veil? Why take it off immediately after the ceremony? Consider wearing it at your cocktail hour. If it is long, carry it and let it puddle for beautiful pics. When you are ready to party and decide to take it off, put it in a safe place in the bridal suite. Arrange with your photographer to put your veil back on for a few encore photos as the sun sets, the moon glows, or midnight showers you with stars.

Let It Be Natural, or Let It Blow!

As a designer of wedding veils, I find nothing more beautiful than capturing the natural movement of a wedding veil. It is very easy to spot fake photos of a veil unnaturally tossed up in the air. I am sure none of these photos are found amongst the Royals, but rather pictures of gorgeous yards and yards of tulle while exiting a coach or entering a cathedral. Let your veil blow if your wedding day is breezy or a bit windy. If your wedding day is sultry, pinch your veil halfway down with your fingers and walk, creating a beautiful drape and fabric movement. When you stop, let it naturally puddle. You won’t be disappointed in the natural beauty of your wedding veil!

Design Your Headpiece in Components.

Many of the pieces I create are designed as components. This offers my bride flexibility in placing her accessories on her wedding day. They can be grouped for a full effect, scattered in her hair, or rearranged from the ceremony to the reception. The best part is that your accessories can be worn again for a formal event or every year on your anniversary. Pop a single accessory into a ponytail on your honeymoon to bring back a little bit of your wedding day!

Jackie’s bridal accessories were designed by repurposing her mom’s vintage headpiece.

The Best Way to Thank Your Vendors.

It takes a huge collaborative effort of talented creatives to put a wedding together. Prepare a vendor list of Instagram handles to share and encourage vendors to tag “in the photo.” While giving credit in a comment is nice, a mention in a photo is even better! Tagged photos are a great way for followers to discover vendors and creative wedding services.

When Your Wedding Day is Over…

I began my blog “Fourteenth” when my daughter Brielle got engaged. Brielle’s wedding day came and went after a year of excitement and planning. I didn’t know what would be ahead for my blog or if I would continue writing it. Five years later, I am still writing about original topics not often covered in my “Marie style.” I would like to leave you with links to two oldies but goodies.