TV Shows
How to Avoid Wedding Day Stress

Wedding House

How to Avoid Wedding Day Stress

Wedding House registrar Cynthia Green has seen brides and grooms face every wedding worry you can think of. 4Beauty got her top tips for avoiding stressful situations on your special day.

1. Family Tension

Keep any feuding family members apart by seating them on different tables or having them involved in separate parts of the ceremony. Don't exclude them altogether as this might create more tension. Remember though that the wedding is about you, and you can't take on your family's issues on a day when you're meant to be at your happiest.

2. A Problem Shared

If in doubt, open up and share your worries with your registrar. They might be able to diffuse any problems.

3. The Triangle

You can stress about the practicalities - music, food and what to wear - but remember that when you and your partner are in front of the registrar, everything else will melt away. I call it the triangle - I'm at the top and the couple are at opposite ends and I bring them together.

4. Learning Vows

If you are saying personal vows to each other, practise them at home. If you're using the standard marriage vows, try not to over-practise as this tends to make the bride or groom skip ahead of the registrar – sometimes they answer a question before I’ve asked it and I have to repeat the question and answer.

5. The Value of Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids are wonderful. In my experience, it's hardly ever them who cause any tension during a marriage ceremony (I don't know about before!) and they can be really helpful in displacing any tension from the bride. I always tell them to concentrate on me as they walk down the aisle, because I can tell them where to stand or sit.

6. Language Barrier

Hire an interpreter if several languages are involved in the ceremony. I have on occasion learnt a sentence or two of the couple's native languages just so I can address all parties in my introductory speech.

7. Religion

Bear in mind that if you are using a registrar and having a civil wedding, rather than a religious one, any religious connotations are forbidden while the registrar is present in the room. This includes any religious mentions (even words like 'heaven') in readings or songs. If you want to include a religious blessing in your ceremony, that is fine, but the registrar needs to leave the room while it happens.

8. Kids at Weddings

Babies are always welcome at my weddings but I do think young children should be taken outside if they start acting up. I recommend having a responsible adult take out the bride and groom's children if they can't understand why Mummy and Daddy are standing up at the front without them - or let them stand with you if you're happy with that.