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12 WEDDING DAY TIPS FOR BRIDES 2024:
GETTING DRESSED

Your wedding day should be one of the most memorable and special days of your life. As an experienced wedding photographer in Ireland, I've learned some useful tips and tricks that can help make your day as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Most of you haven't been a bride before but I've done this hundreds of times, so check out my helpful guide below for some wedding day advice for couples and brides when it comes to getting dressed. I am here to help make your special day as perfect and stress free as it can be!

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1. DON'T SWEAT THE LITTLE THINGS!
This is my number one piece of advice for every aspect of your wedding, at some stage you may feel a bit overwhelmed with all there is to do but don't stress! 
It always works out on the day and the main thing is you get to marry the person of your dreams with all your favourite people...and me. The rest will fall into place.
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2. BE YOURSELF!
Don't dress for anyone else! Make sure that whatever you choose to wear on the big day from suit, dress to shoes, that you feel comfortable and the best version of yourself. I've had some brides in the past who chose dresses or shoes that really didn't feel like their style and had a hard time dealing with it on the day. If you don't like heels, don't wear them. If you don't like how you feel in a dress, wear a two piece or a suit. The main thing is to feel entirely your most spectacular self on your wedding day. Forget about everyone else.
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3. DON'T GET YOUR KNICKERS IN A BUNCH
I don't mean getting annoyed, I mean literally. 
Make sure to try on your dress or outfit at the final fitting (or just before the day) with the underwear you plan to wear at your wedding. Bra, knickers, spanx, full body suit, whatever!
You don't want to be messing around with bra straps showing, knicker lines or ill fitting tights on your wedding morning. Nothing should get in the way of you looking and feeling your best.
4. DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO TAN
So many brides ask me about tanning and are afraid of looking too pale on their wedding day. If you have fair skin and don't usually use fake tan, then don't feel like you have to! You will look gorgeous in all my photos either way.

 
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5. MATCH YOUR OUTFIT TO THE SEASON 
If you're having a Summer wedding then keep in mind you may want something lighter or without sleeves. The same goes for Winter, you can wear any weight of dress you like but maybe consider a shrug, leather jacket or even faux fur. You can add a lot of personality to your outfit with a jacket whatever the season and their handy for our outdoors couples portraits.

 
6. STEAMER
Most dedicated wedding venues will have irons and steamers but it's prudent to check with them first. Steamers are especially useful for silks and satins and though your wedding dress may be perfect, one of your bridesmaids might show up with a crinkled dress, they wouldn't be the first in my experience. 

 
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7. CONSIDER A VEIL 
I'm always team veil, if you're not sure if you'd like one...try one on anyway!
I've had so many brides who changed their minds once they had one on. They can add some real drama to the photos too.
Make sure your hairdresser shows one of your bridal party how to put it in on the wedding morning, that way if it so happens to come out, they'll know the correct way to put it back. 
Otherwise I'll be there and it wouldn't be my first time helping out.
8. INSOLES
Your wedding shoes are just as important as the dress since you'll be wearing them for most of the day. A lot of my couples change to flats after the first dance or later in the day but either way you're going to want to be comfortable. Wear your shoes about the house before the big day and if you need any type of insole, try it then. No one want to be messing around with packs of gel insoles when they have a ceremony to attend. This goes for Mothers, Sisters, Aunts and Bridesmaids too; before the day is always best.
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9.HEEL PROTECTORS
I've seen these a few times and they're so handy!
You can get these plastic protectors for your heels to stop them sinking into grass, sand or any soft ground. If you give a set of these to all the ladies in your wedding party, they can take them out for our group photos and walk onto grass without sinking. 
Penny's do them once a year but you can also get them online, here's an example: 
https://www.secretfashionfixes.ie/p/heels-above-high-heel-protectors---4-pack-clear/ha%20sho%20stp4
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10. SOMETHING BLUE
I love these old wedding traditions so don't forget to include your something blue into your wedding day for luck. This can be anything from a garter, a hair accessory, your shoes or even the bridesmaids themselves or your wedding dress. Your day, your way.
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11. BUTTONS
If your outfit is perfect and has a gorgeous back of lovely tiny buttons, get a crochet hook! I know it sounds random but tiny buttons with little loops and a group of bridesmaids with false nails can be a bit of a struggle. These buttons take a little while to do up, but if you have a crochet or dedicated button hook you'll save yourself a lot of time.
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12.CHECK LIST
Make sure to have a check list for yourself and a small checklist for your bridal party for their outfits. Dress, knickers, bra, tights, shoes. Jacket, shirt, tie, shorts, pants, socks, shoes. It may sound simple but there's often someone whose forgotten shoes or a shirt so giving them a tiny checklist with their outfits can help.

TOP TWELVE WEDDING DAY TIPS:
1.Don't Sweat the Little Things
2.Be Yourself
3.Don't Get your Knickers in a Bunch
4. Don't Fell the Need to Tan
5.Match Outfit to Season
6.Steamer
7.Consider a Veil
8.Insoles
9.Heel Protectors
10.Something Blue
11.Buttons
12.Checklist

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