A wedding is one of the most important events in a couple’s lives, a busy day filled with many beautiful traditions and shared experiences with friends and family.
However, many couples find themselves passing through the day separately, spending moments apart that they could have experienced as a couple. Besides the time a couple shares at the altar, they normally begin the day in different places. They then are pulled in many directions throughout the event, as they greet guests, and take part in traditions, without truly experiencing it together.
At Feature, we believe it’s so important to be intentional about sharing experiences throughout the day. Finding ways to be in the moment together. Finding ways to feel, express and celebrate your love, just the two of you.
As such, here are some ways to stay connected on your wedding day…
Share personal letters
After a beautiful and intimate way to start the day? Write each other letters and exchange these on the morning of your wedding day. This is a gorgeous way to begin the festivities by reminding your partner exactly what it is that you adore and value about them.
Write about what you love about their characteristics and qualities, such as the way they care for others, or the way they laugh until they snort! Reminisce on a special moment you shared, such as that special trip to Hawaii where you learnt to surf. Then write about the future life you’d like to build together, such as buying a house or having a family.
Select some beautiful stationery to handwrite the letters on, so you can hold onto them as special keepsakes. You might even want to attach a photo with the letter or enclose a special gift. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun with it!
Read your vows to each other, either during the ceremony or privately
The moment when you read your vows is one of the most emotional experiences on the day.
It is lovely to hear these for the first time during your ceremony, but another idea is to share your vows privately as a couple before the ceremony, to make this more intimate and special.
You could do this by including your vows in your letters, you could read them during your first look or select another moment that’s just the two of you.
It can be very scary for some speaking in public, so sharing these together first can take some of the nerves out of it. Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and ensures you share special moments together.
Focus on physical contact
This one is super important for many reasons. Focusing on physical contact, and eye contact during the day, particularly the ceremony, will help you feel connected and calm throughout your wedding day.
Hold hands, gaze into each other’s eyes and block out everyone else, with a focus on your love. Comfort each other as you normally would, whether that’s with a few kind words, or a hand on each other’s backs during photos. If you aren’t normally super affectionate, we aren’t saying to all of a sudden be that way, but a bit of touch goes a long way.
Practice your kisses before the day so you are happy kissing in front of the camera, and don’t worry about eyes on you as you touch each other. This is your day, express your love with physical contact.
Private moment after the ceremony
We love this one. Directly after you say, “I do” and walk down the aisle, go to a private area to share a moment together, before seeing your family and friends.
Have a bottle of champagne waiting for you, toast the moment and take time for yourselves.
You can then continue with a quick couple’s photoshoot to savour the emotions and these natural, candid moments. The joy and love you are experiencing at this time, will make the most beautiful photos!
Private moment before reception
You could also share a private moment just before dinner, while your guests are entering the dining area.
During this time you can change into your second outfits for the wedding party, or simply sit down and take a breath together before entering the reception.
You would have just experienced your couple, group and family photo shoots, that are very busy, so it’s nice to have time as the two of you, before sitting down for speeches and dinner.
We truly believe taking these moments throughout the day will help you be in the moment and remember your wedding day.
Sit as a couple at a sweetheart table
While a lot of couples have the full wedding party at their head table, why not go for a sweetheart table, a table reserved for the guests of honour…the sweethearts… that’s you!
Sitting at a sweetheart table means you can enjoy the reception together as a couple, snuggle up and hear your speeches, and laugh and cry at all the stories, together as one.
It will also mean you have time to focus on your meal, many couples don’t get the opportunity to really savour the food on their wedding day, as they are being pulled into different conversations, so being seated together, will help you be present in the moment, and present in the deliciousness of your food!
Cake cutting
Cutting your cake provides another intimate moment where you can get close and have some fun with it – feed each other and be playful!
You can choose to do this with your family and friends watching, or you could step aside to another room and do this as a couple, with or without your photographers.
This also gives you a way of enjoying the taste of your cake together, something that you know doubt agonised over together, but can easily be missed on the day.
Again, choose what makes you feel comfortable and what helps you best connect on your wedding day.
Sunset / night photo
A special way to take a moment while capturing a stunning image, is by taking a sunset or night photo, before you hit the dance floor!
Speak to your photographer and videographer before the day, so they can choose a stunning spot for the penultimate couple image. Somewhere at your venue like a stone gazebo that can be lit up, or an epic landscape shot with the sun setting in the background. Places like these will ensure an image that’s for keeps, while giving you a private moment as a couple.
As your photographers, we will ensure you can take some time together during this shoot, before heading back to the festivities.
At Feature, your love is at the centre of all that we do. Happy wedding planning!
