What Every Bride Needs on Their Wedding Day

Your wedding day is one of the most significant days of your life, filled with excitement, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a day that requires careful planning and preparation to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. While you may have organized the guest list, picked the perfect venue, and arranged the flowers, there are essential things every bride should have on the big day itself. From practical items for emergencies to meaningful details that make you feel your best, this guide outlines everything you need to make your wedding day a beautiful, seamless experience.

The Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding dress is perhaps the most important piece of attire you’ll wear. It reflects your personality, style, and the unique love story you’re celebrating. Finding a wedding dress that makes you feel radiant, comfortable, and beautiful is essential. After selecting the right dress, be sure to plan for any necessary alterations well in advance. The dress should be a perfect fit, allowing you freedom of movement and ease throughout the day. Don’t forget to schedule a final fitting close to the wedding date to ensure it fits just right.

A Wedding Veil: The Finishing Touch

The wedding veil is a timeless accessory that adds elegance, tradition, and romance to any bridal look. More than just a beautiful adornment, the veil holds cultural significance and sentimental value for many brides. Veils come in a variety of lengths, styles, and designs, allowing you to choose one that complements your dress and matches the tone of your ceremony.

Choosing the Right Veil Style

There are several veil lengths to choose from, each adding a different flair to your ensemble:

• Cathedral Veil: Known for its dramatic effect, this long veil extends beyond the length of the wedding gown, perfect for formal, grand ceremonies.
  
  
• Chapel Veil: Slightly shorter than the cathedral veil, the chapel veil reaches the floor, offering a touch of elegance without being too overwhelming.
  
  
• Fingertip Veil: A popular choice, the fingertip veil cascades to the fingertips, allowing freedom of movement while providing a delicate, ethereal effect.
  
  
• Birdcage Veil: For a vintage or modern twist, the birdcage veil covers just the face, creating a stylish and chic look.

Take a look at one of the above styles and so much more at laceandfavour.com to see which one you love the look of most and consider the aesthetic of your dress. Think about the overall vibe of your wedding day when selecting a veil, too. If your dress is heavily adorned, a simpler veil might balance the look, whereas an embellished veil can add texture and interest to a minimalist gown.

Comfortable Shoes (and a Backup Pair)

While your wedding shoes may be chosen for style, comfort should not be overlooked. You’ll be on your feet for most of the day—walking, standing, and dancing—so a well-fitting, comfortable pair of shoes is essential. Many brides choose a second pair of more comfortable shoes, like flats or Converse, for the reception so they can enjoy the evening without discomfort.

Break in your shoes well before the wedding day to avoid blisters or sore feet. Consider bringing gel inserts, heel protectors, or an extra set of comfortable flats so you’re fully prepared for a day of celebration without any foot pain.

A Thoughtfully Packed Bridal Emergency Kit

Even with perfect planning, minor issues can arise on the wedding day. Having a bridal emergency kit will save the day from unexpected hiccups. Pack essentials like:

• Safety pins and a mini sewing kit for quick fixes
• Double-sided tape for any wardrobe malfunctions
• Plasters, pain relievers, and blister pads for comfort
• Stain remover wipes for accidental spills
• Tissues and makeup touch-up items for freshening up
• Breath mints or gum for a confidence boost

Keeping an emergency kit nearby ensures that small mishaps won’t disrupt your big day and allows you to remain focused on the joy of the celebration.

Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

The traditional items—something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue—add meaningful touches to your wedding attire. These elements not only reflect tradition but also hold sentimental value, symbolizing good luck and well-wishes for your marriage.

• Something Old could be a family heirloom or vintage piece, symbolising continuity.
  
  
• Something New represents optimism and the future, often reflected in the wedding dress or new jewellery.
  
  
• Something Borrowed is meant to bring happiness, ideally from someone who has a lasting marriage.
  
  
• Something Blue symbolizes fidelity, love, and purity; many brides incorporate this in a subtle way, like a blue ribbon sewn into their dress or blue shoes.

These personal touches connect you to loved ones and the past while celebrating your new journey forward.

A Beautiful Bouquet (and a Plan to Preserve It)

Your wedding bouquet is a central part of your attire and a meaningful keepsake that represents your wedding day. Whether you opt for roses, lilies, wildflowers, or something unique, choose blooms that complement your colour scheme and add beauty to your bridal look.

If you want to preserve your bouquet, consider options like pressing or drying the flowers, encasing them in resin, or having them turned into a piece of artwork. Speak with a florist or preservation specialist ahead of time to arrange for your bouquet to be preserved as a lasting memory.

A Signature Wedding Day Perfume

Fragrance has the power to evoke memories, and choosing a special perfume for your wedding day adds a sensory layer to your memories. Every time you smell that scent, it will transport you back to this meaningful day. Opt for a scent that you love and that complements the mood of the wedding—something floral, romantic, or perhaps exotic if you’re feeling adventurous.

Consider making your fragrance a part of your “something new” to create a unique association with your wedding day. Some brides even save a spritz of the perfume to wear on anniversaries, adding a beautiful layer of sentiment to the fragrance.

A Calm Mind and Open Heart

With so much preparation and anticipation, the wedding day itself can be overwhelming. Taking a few moments before the ceremony to breathe, centre yourself, and reflect on the meaning of the day can help calm any nerves and ground you in the present moment. This is a day to cherish with your partner, family, and friends, so approach it with an open heart and a calm mind.

Consider a few minutes of meditation, a short walk, or some deep breaths before the ceremony begins. Allow yourself to focus on the joy, excitement, and love that surrounds you.