Top 10 Wedding Hacks

So you’re dreaming of a beautiful stress-free wedding? The last thing you want to be doing is pulling your hair out over spreadsheets and suppliers am I right!? In order to make this dream a reality, you are going to need tips and hacks from the best! Here at Nudo, we specialise in wedding planning! We have put on our fair share of beautiful weddings, keeping them stress-free for our amazing couples. During this process, we have definitely learned some amazing things along the way to help make your day incredible! Read on for our top 10 wedding hacks!

 

1. Repurpose your ceremony styling

 

Who said that the florals and styling from your ceremony have to stay there? If you’re lucky enough to have your ceremony and reception at the same venue this is something you need to do! Once the ceremony is over and the guests have moved out of that space into the cocktail area, have those beauties moved to the reception. It would be such a shame to leave them where no one gets to see them again! Also, a repurposed arbour adds an extra wow factor to your dance floor!

Looking for the perfect combined venue in Melbourne? Check out The Wool Mill and Gather & Tailor!

 

Can you imagine only getting to see this amazing ceremony styling once! Anatomy of Flowers‘ magical work deserves to be enjoyed all night! Captured by Marie-Luise Weddings

 

2. Create a shared wedding email

 

Create an email account especially for you and your partner to use for your wedding. This keeps everything together and saves one of you being left out of the loop of communication! As much you hope for that not to happen someone always presses reply instead of reply all! It also prevents important emails being missed due to an influx of work or non-wedding related spam.

 

3. Get married on a Sunday

 

While everyone is always quick to choose a Friday or Saturday date for their wedding, the real hidden gems are Sundays! First of all Sunday’s save you money, which you can then spend on something like florals or videography! Most wedding venues often offer cheaper rates for Sunday’s in comparison to the more popular Friday and Saturday dates. Availability is also generally better on a Sunday, so forget those long wait times to get your dream venue. Suppliers also absolutely LOVE a Sunday wedding and are generally more available. So no need to worry about competing with every other couple out there to lock in your favourite supplier. You get your pick of the best. If you want to read more about why Nudo thinks Sunday’s are so great, read our blog post about the perks of a Sunday wedding here!

 

4. Have a first look on your wedding day

 

Having a first look is an amazing way to save some cash and time! A lot of couples find they need to extend their catering packages to have enough time to allocate an hour or so to bridal portraits after their ceremony. This adds up quickly!  For example, an hour catering extension costs roughly $12 per person, so with 120 guests that is $1,440! Extending your photography package to cover taking your bridal photos prior to your ceremony is way more cost-effective! Your wedding hasn’t technically started yet so you don’t need to worry about making sure your guests have a canapé and drink in hand. It also means that you get to spend your now shorter cocktail hour with your guests drinking bubbly! Not jumping away with your bridal party trying to squeeze in photos before the sun goes down. It’s a win win! If you want to read more about bridal portraits and first looks, we have a great blog about it here!

 

5. Try a wedding website or online RSVP

 

Not looking forward to receiving and sorting all of those posted RSVP’s? Why not have a digital RSVP or wedding website! They collate all of your guests’ information online, meaning there is no transferring paper information into a spreadsheet or hand counting your guest numbers. Plus you still get the joy of sending a paper-based invitation in the mail, because how nice is it to get things in the mail that aren’t bills! It will keep all of the information together and lets you export guest lists and dietary requirements for your wedding planner or suppliers. Some online RSVP’s we love are Appy Couple and With Joy.

 

6. Be strategic with your getting ready locations

 

If you are staying separately to your husband or wife to be, keep your locations close to the wedding venue and each other! That way your transportation can be shared between you.  So rather than organising separate cars, the same car can be used between you. Generally, one person will arrive at the wedding venue first to greet guests while the other makes a late entrance. So this works perfectly with transport dropping one half of the bridal party off earlier and then doubling back to grab the other.

7. Pass the torch on the day

 

Do yourself a favour and assign a point of contact on the day for yourself and your partner. The last thing you want is calls from suppliers the morning of your wedding when you should be getting pampered and drinking champagne! Assigning a separate person each leaves you and your partner relaxed and undisturbed, so you can take the time you need to get ready for your big day! If you don’t have a wedding planner for your day, we recommend a  family member or someone in your bridal party who is with you on the day.

 

8. Treat yourself to some outfit changes!

 

Having outfit changes on the day of your wedding is a great way to change up the photos from your day. This way each moment stays fresh! Whether its a difference between your ceremony and reception or a late-night dance floor change to get in the party mood! It will wow your guests and a bonus for you, you get to wear two (or more) amazing outfits! Any great venue should have a bridal suite. So keep that in mind when checking out venues for your day! It makes such a difference having a space just for your bridal party to use for touch-ups and outfit changes. No awkward bathroom changes for you! 

 

Sophie making her dance floor entrance in her second outfit for the day, an EPIC sequin jumpsuit. Captured by Shannyn Higgins

 

9. Prepare an emergency wedding kit

 

This little kit will save you on your wedding day! Prepare a small bag with all the go-to essentials such as safety pins, deodorant, lipstick, bandaids, hairspray, double-sided tape. The list could go on! This little pack will make sure you are prepared for any touch-up or sticky situation on your wedding day. Keep it aside in your bridal suite, or somewhere safe at your venue, so it’s ready and waiting if you need it! While you’re at it, why not make an extra one for the guest bathrooms. Imagine their relief being able to have access to these essential items!

 

10. Don’t lose sight of what is most important!

 

Now for our final wedding hack, and probably the most important one! With the lead-up, and in amongst all of the stress and planning it is easy to get caught up. But the most important thing to remember is why you are celebrating! The fact that you have found your person! Your love! You get to spend the rest of your lives together. So while the styling, catering, and florals are important, never lose sight of that. We promise it will put everything into perspective and makes the process all the more fun.