How to Create Intimate Day-Of Moments for Your Nashville, TN Wedding
You've already heard it a million times: your wedding day will go by so fast. You'll spend months planning for it: choosing your vendors, finding the perfect gown, deciding between invitations, and on and on.
But when the day itself arrives, it flies by in a flash, and before you know it, you're running through a tunnel of sparklers toward the waiting car, and the night is over.
So many couples look through their photos weeks or months or years later and wonder, "When did that happen? Where was I when that was happening?"
With experience photographing hundreds of weddings, we encourage every couple to be intentional about creating moments for themselves and with with their family and friends. After all, you've planned every other aspect of your day. Why not ensure the moments that matter stick with you?
5 MOMENTS WITH YOUR HONEY
Most importantly, you need to take a few moments with your new spouse! Here are five great moments to grab some alone time with the one you love.
1. Following the First Look
If you're planning to do a First Look (see our wedding planning guide for the best reasons for and against it), taking a few moments together to consider the importance and meaning of your wedding is an incredibly special way to start your marriage. And, after all, you're in this for the marriage, not the wedding day. This is also the perfect time to exchange personal letters or gifts with each other if you plan to do so.
2. After Your "I Do's"
You've sealed the deal with a kiss, and walked back up the aisle as life partners. Whilst your best man and maid of honor are signing the marriage license, slip away for a sip of champagne together! You earned it.
3. During Cocktail Hour
These days, many couples are choosing to join cocktail hour--and it's not a bad idea! But if you have time after portraits and before sitting down to dinner, you can grab a few moments for yourselves. (And that's a rare thing on a wedding day!) Flag down a server and get his and hers drinks, your own plate of apps, and a quiet corner to enjoy your own personal cocktail hour.
4. Over Dinner
Fair warning: You will likely be completely bombarded by guests as you are trying to get through that plate of delicious food you taste tested six months ago. In fact, make sure your sweetheart or head table isn't on the way to the buffet line, or else your mom's neighbor will talk your ear off. That said, dinner is the perfect moment to be intentional and relish all the choices you made together. Try taking your first bite together, enjoying the moment, and smiling politely whilst not engaging in conversation with those persistent, but well-meaning, guests. (In fact, you can even ask your DJ to announce a no-fly zone by your table!)
5. During Sunset Photos
Hopefully, your photographer helps you plan a moment for romantic sunset photos with just the two of you. You might have to skip out for a few moments of dinner whilst guests are still waiting for their entrées to come out, but the photos will be well worth any time you give them. Even better, ask your photographer to give you and your honey some space to soak in the first hours of being married!
Alternatively, night-time photos are a great way to get in some time with your honey. Just ask your photographer what they advise!
MOMENTS WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS
Just as important as making time for your new spouse, creating opportunities for real, shared moments with your family and friends on your wedding day is not to be underestimated.
From where you wake up to who zips your dress, there are dozens of small choices you can make to ensure you are surrounded by the ones you love.
1. Waking Up
Sharing a suite with your best friend the night before the big day is a great way to kick off your celebration. Whatever your brand of friendship, this ensures some time alone with you and your bestie, and whether it’s serious conversation or serious laughs that ensue, we know you won’t regret the time with your (second) most important person.
2. During Portraits
Sure, it’s nice to have that photo of the two of you smiling at the camera together, but we love to throw in a special time for you and each member of your family and wedding party to revel in this together. Share a long-forgotten memory, trade advice, pray together--whatever feels true to your relationship, portrait time is the perfect time to get some real moments in.
3. On the Dance Floor
The scheduled events are over, and now it’s time for straight up fun! Be intentional about getting out on that dance floor to boogie with the people you love!