After you have been officially declared husband and wife, it’s time to let loose and have some fun with your family and friends at the wedding reception. This is YOUR time to unwind and let loose; all of the planning and worry has paid off and now you can (hopefully!) enjoy yourself with some delicious food and a few cocktails. What are some wedding day regrets to avoid?

But before you put on your dancing shoes, be sure you end the night without any regrets by doing these 10 things at your party:

 

1. Eat Something 

Most every wedding that I shoot I notice all of the intricate details and delicious food so meticulously planned. Here is the problem, the newlyweds not getting to enjoy it. Go ahead! Bask in the glory of all the delicious food. After all it is your first meal together as husband and wife.

 

2. Take It All In

One big regret is not seeing the reception space to take in how it looked before guests took it over. Take the time before the party begins to see the outcome of all your stress and hard work. You deserve it!

 

3. Spend Some Alone Time With Your New Groom

Unless there is a first look before the ceremony, most of the time, bride and grooms have no alone time during the biggest day of their lives. Of course you want to celebrate with family and friends, but the day is about the love and bond you share. Don’t be afraid to step away and just breath with each other. This would definitely be wedding day regrets to avoid!

I promise it will help you decompress!

4. Choreograph The First Dance

The first dance is kind of a big deal. Make it count. Make it unforgettable!

 

5. Hire A Photographer For The Whole Reception

If you are going to hire a professional photographer, make sure you hire them throughout the whole reception. All of the posing and getting ready is awesome, but documenting the celebration of your marriage with loved ones is something you may cherish even more.

 

6. Pay Beforehand

The last thing that you want to worry about on your wedding day is stopping the festivities to pay your vendors. This is one reason why I require the final payment to be paid no later than the day before the ceremony. It is less hassle on the couple and they can focus more on all of the awesome chaos of the day!

 

7. Hire A Videographer

Many couples wait until the end of their planning to decide on a videographer. Often it comes down to the budget. Although you have a photographer that will capture all those frozen memories, seeing those frozen memories in action takes you back to that special day.

Do yourself a favor and hire a videographer!

 

8. Mingle With All Guests

Be sure to stop to speak to all of your guests at the reception–even those you don’t know very well including your new in-laws’ friends or even your dad’s boss. Everyone should know how much you appreciate their presence on your special day.

 

9. Hit The Dance Floor

Brides and grooms love sweeping around the room, saying hi and taking pictures, which sometimes causes them to miss their favorite songs on the dance floor. Brides should work with their DJ to have him/her call her to the dance floor for 5-8 different songs throughout the night, so the couple doesn’t miss out on the chance to two-step.

10. Plan A Special Exit

“Brides hate to see their wedding day end because the day goes so fast, but the perfect punctuation to ending the day is by planning a special exit. Whether its sparklers, a luxury car pulling off, a human tunnel works too, brides should definitely have their planners curate something special to end the evening.

 

Above all else have the time of your life! Live these awesome moments to their fullest. The last thing you want is to have regrets about the biggest day of your life. For more tips on planning your wedding check out my blog, “how do I start planning a wedding?”

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