Wedding: Last-minute love hacks

The invitations are out, you’ve just about done all the finishing touches for your big day, but, with just a few weeks to go you may start wondering about the little details that haven’t been covered.

What’s the best thing to eat for breakfast and will you have time to cook with the bridemaids, make up artist and hair stylist in the house? How do you get everyone’s stuff to the hotel? You can’t exactly make a pit stop, white gown and all, in the wedding car. And where do you keep your phone and house keys?

We’ve compiled some last-minute planning that may help to ensure your wedding goes without a glitch.

Breakfast of champions

Got pre-wedding nerves? Worried about whether the day will go as planned? Stomach churning? The worst thing to do is walk up that aisle on an empty stomach. Imagine the raised eyebrows and glances of guests as your belly rumbles while you’re reciting your vows.

Between getting ready, taking photos, the ceremony, and travelling, weddings can be pretty packed, so start it off right with something simple, but filling. Opt for plain, nutritious food such as porridge, natural yoghurt or wholemeal bread with butter. If you need something more substantial, eggs are a great source of energy. Remember your bridesmaids will need feeding too if they’re staying over the night before, so don’t forget to hit the shops at some point in the week and stock up on everything you may need. Since it’ll be a busy morning, you may also want to ask mum or one of the bridesmaids to prepare breakfast for everyone while you get ready. They’re there to make your day as painless and happy as possible after all, so don’t feel bad for taking advantage of their kindness.

Ring the changes

You’ve walked up the aisle, said the vows and he’s looking lovingly into your eyes, ready to slip that ring on your finger, but, wait, there’s your big, sparkling engagement ring stealing the limelight.

Traditionally a wedding band is worn underneath the engagement ring so that it’s closer to your heart, and if you’re an old-fashioned gal, the best solution is to pop your sparkler on your right hand ring finger, then when you have a moment after the ceremony is over, subtly switch it back and slip it on top of that shiny new wedding band.

If your engagement ring won’t fit on your right hand, the next best thing is to give it to your mum or the chief bridesmaid for safe keeping.

If you’re happy to have your wedding band placed over your engagement ring during the ceremony, this is fine too, just perhaps give your fiancé a head’s up otherwise he may end up a little confused on seeing a ring already there and could reach for the wrong hand. Once the wedding band is on top, you’ll just need to swap them around when you have a spare second.

Transport/logistics/overnight bag to hotel

You’ve got the girls ready, you’re all set, but what about your overnight bags? You can’t just chuck some rucksacks in the wedding car. Figuring out transport logistics is important. Whether a groomsman is going to collect the bags and drop them off before the wedding or you have a family member who can make the run, it’s important to map this out beforehand and not have a blind panic on the morning of the big day.

Mixed bag

While most of us would feel naked without our handbag, the thought of walking up the aisle with one doesn’t bode well. You can’t exactly juggle a bag and bouquet. But where do all those everyday essentials go? Where do you put your house keys, how can you retouch your lip gloss and what if you need your phone for emergencies?

This is where mum saves the day. Hand over those items for safekeeping in her handbag, or alternatively give them to your bridesmaids who may have bags with them on the day.

It might also be worthwhile really considering what stuff you’ll actually need to have with you. You may need some make-up but you probably won’t need any cash. If you are planning to stay at a hotel after the reception some items can go in your overnight bag until you need them.

It also might be worth investing in an ‘emergency kit’ for the ladies bathroom, filled with safety pins, cotton swabs, mints, eyedrops, tissues and any other necessity you may need during the day. It means you won’t have to carry them around with you.

How to kiss your man

It’s finally time to seal the deal, but getting the kiss right can be a minefield of mistakes. You don’t want to go in too quickly and bump heads. Remember to move in slowly, make eye contact and lean slightly to the right, so you don’t end up nudging noses.

Having your hands dangling loosely at your side can make you look like a pair of goofy teenagers who have just had their first kiss.

Holding hands is a good idea, it’ll make you look more connected. Keep it clean and wholesome, there’s scores of friends and family watching. You don’t want to make stomachs churn.

Make the kiss linger more than a peck, but avoid tongue wrestling at all costs, it needs to be passionate but polite.

Sometimes practice doesn’t make perfect in this case, so go with the flow and just bear these tips in mind when going in for the real thing.