Making sure your wedding day runs smoothly is normally the main priority for a Bride and Groom as there are many things that can go wrong. This guide sets out some simple tips to make sure you are well prepared, so that you can minimize the potential for disaster to occur.

Top 5 Bridal tips

1. Dress the bride first. Lots of people dress the bride last so everyone is ready to help, but if plans start to run behind it will be the bride who is in a rush to get dressed. If you dress the bride first she can get ready at her own pace, feel relaxed and have time to make any adjustments to her dress for maximum comfort. It is not the brides job to dress the bridesmaids or any children, make sure you have plenty of helpers to do this so that she can enjoy her wedding day.

2. When you're having your hair styled on your wedding day, wear a shirt. Many brides wear a tshirt, then struggle to get it over their newly styled hair. If you wear a shirt it can be unbuttoned and will not damage your hairdo.

3. If your dress has laces or buttons, ask a friend to come and help you dress. Often a bridesmaid or family member will be there for bridal preparations, but it is likely that they may also have false nails for the occasion. If you have a friend present who isn't in the bridal party they will be able to help the bride to get dressed.

4. If you have a dress that goes over your head, get a pillow case or a silk underskirt to put over your head first. This way your dress will slide on more easily with damaging hair or getting any make-up on it.

5. Remove labels on the underside of shoes, this is a very fiddly and time-consuming job that is best sorted in advance of your wedding day.


Top 5 Groom tips

1. Make sure you put plenty of deodorant or anti perspirant on as it is a long day. The last thing you want is to start smelling a bit sweaty late on in the day. Get your best man to carry a spare can if you are prone to body odour.

2. This may seem obvious, but remember your socks! Far too many grooms get married without socks and it can sometimes be seen on photographs.

3. As with the ladies, if you have new shoes then take the labels off the sole before your wedding day.

4. If you usually have your head shaven don't do it on the day of your wedding or you will look bald or shiny on photographs. Have your head shaved at least a few days prior to your wedding to allow time for some of it to grow back.

5. Your buttonhole is traditionally worn on your left lapel, whichever side you prefer, ensure that you and your ushers all wear their buttonholes on the same side.


Tip for both

The most important thing for both bride and groom is to not worry to much about everybody else on the day and enjoy your wedding! The planning is complete and it's time to have a great day. Whatever happens you need to take it in your stride and don't dwell on minor mishaps, but laugh at them and enjoy yourself. Never lose sight of the reason you are there, to become husband and wife.

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Rachel Ellinor is a wedding advisor for couples looking to tie the knot in England and Wales. She has been working in the wedding industry for 12 years.