How to stage-manage your wedding in seven steps: Act 2
Last week, Emma at Emma Jane Weddings & Events began telling us how to stage-manage a wedding in seven easy steps. Today, the journey continues…
Act 2 - The end is near
Step 5: Remaining calm under pressure
It's common knowledge that the wedding jitters are a very real, terrifying phenomenon. It's not so much a case of "am I doing the right thing" (well, I hope it isn't!), but more the realisation that the entire wedding planning journey, all of those appointments, trials, venue visits, food tastings, decisions, decisions and more decisions have been for this one moment, this one special day.
Image Credit: Stott Weddings
Even the very best of actors struggle with nerves and stage fright. The palpitations, trembling and shortness of breath are all a sign of a surge in your adrenaline. If you go to the gym or you're a keen runner, exercise can really help. Even going for a brisk walk on the morning of your wedding to get the blood pumping and a good dose of fresh air to clear your mind, can really help. If you're into yoga, meditation or mindfulness, practise your breathing techniques and take some time out to really be in the moment.
Image Credit: Stott Weddings
Remember to look to those around you, just as actors will look to each other for support, ensure your bridesmaids and family are around you and understand how you're feeling. If you're employing a makeup artist and hairdresser for the morning of your wedding, don't just look at their style before you book them. Do you get on with them? Do your personalities clash? Will they be a calming influence as you all get ready? If you're not sure, keep researching until you feel completely happy with your preparation team.
Step 6: Spread sheets, spread sheets, spread sheets!
Now this HAS to be the one area in which these two industries are so similar. A wedding planner and a stage manager will certainly have a love for spread sheets! From tracking your budget, compiling your guest list, sorting your table plan, updating your RSVP's, scheduling your timings, gathering contact details for your suppliers to ticking off those all important things to remember, an spread sheet is your FRIEND during the wedding planning process.
Image Credit: Stott Weddings
Pop everything that needs to be shared into a Dropbox file (or other sharing platform) and share as necessary with suppliers and the bridal party. As the day draws closer, you could even print bits out and highlight tasks as you complete them. Is there anything more satisfying than a highlighter and ticking things off a list?!
Step 7: Show stop! Contingency planning to make the show go on!
A 'show stop' as it's known in the industry is a procedure that happens when, for whatever reason, the show can no longer continue. Sounds dramatic, more so than the drama that's just been stopped, but when dealt with calmly and thoroughly, a show stop does not mean a permanent stop to proceedings, but is more often than not, a temporary situation. Contingency planning can ensure your wedding day doesn't come to a grinding halt - you're in a far better position to plan for the unexpected than to let the unexpected take over. So, think ahead and prepare. Its not tempting fate - it's called contingency planning!
- Wet weather contingency for marquees and outdoor events (NEVER rely on the British weather - it doesn't matter if you're getting married in August or December, have a backup plan!)
- Ask your car company what their contingency planning process is incase your vintage car breaks down en route
- Have a backup CD ready in case the choir or musicians get delayed on the way to the ceremony/venue
- If you're marrying out of season, such as October through to March, think about the weather and access routes to venues should snowfall occur overnight
- Consider the route you ask your guests and suppliers to use (when planning locally in Staffordshire/Cheshire - I ask all guests and suppliers to travel via the A34 and not the M6 - I've heard horror stories of people getting stuck for hours so the quickest route isn't always the best)
- Look ahead, suss the 'potential problem' areas and prepare a plan B. Perhaps your flower girl is shy and you're worried she won't be happy on the day; maybe you're worried your brother won't actually play the role of toastmaster when the nerves take over - if you know something might not go to plan A, get a plan B in place!
As daunting as all this might seem, following these steps will guarantee an almost stress-free wedding planning journey. The key thing to remember is to relax, take the planning steady and ask for help when you need it - and don't forget, enjoy it!
Image Credit: Jonny Draper
The End
Thank you Emma for these insightful and helpful tips. If you're looking for some wedding planning assistance, Emma offers full, partial and on-the-day wedding planning services. Head to her website for more information: http://www.emma-jane-weddings.co.uk. To read Act 1, click here.
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