Day-Of Wedding Tips: 5 Things Couples Regret Not Doing on Their Wedding Day

Listen, all I want for you is to enjoy your wedding day and have it actually feel true to you. You get one day for your wedding, so it deserves to be the best damn day you’ve ever had. And as a Chicago wedding photographer, I’ve seen what things can make and what things can break your day. Here are 5 things that couples regret not doing on the day of their wedding every time, to know what not to do. 

Day-Of Wedding Regret #1: Not Building in Enough Time in Your Day-Of Wedding Timeline

This is one I see way too often. When your day-of wedding timeline doesn’t give you room to breathe, you end up rushed and not actually getting to soak in those special moments of your wedding day. 

Your day shouldn’t feel like you’re checking things off the list, just moving through because it’s what you’re supposed to do. Like, ever. It should feel like you’re making every single moment count, because this is one of the most important days of your life, babes! 

A Chicago Wedding Photographer’s Go-to Day-Of Wedding Timeline That Lets You Actually Stay Present

Couples ask me for a timeline all the time that lets them actually enjoy and live in the day. This is the sample I always give, because it’s easy to make your own if you need to move things around, and it gives you a ton of wiggle room so that you don’t have to rush through things. Because, a rigid structure? We don’t know her. 

9:00 am: Start Getting Ready

Mimosas? Drank. Fleetwood Mac? On, with the volume all the way up. Your fave girls? All right there with you, dancing around + celebrating. 

12:00 pm: Lunch Break

Because eating three meals the day of your wedding will be one of the best decisions you make. 

1:00 pm: First Look, Private Vows, + Portraits

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m always a fan of a first look because it gives you so much extra room in your timeline. You’re not rushing to take photos after the ceremony, so you actually get to just chill out for a sec and even pop into your cocktail hour if you want to. 

2:00 pm: Wedding Party Photos

Again, getting these knocked out early gives you so much time later to really be enjoying your day, not working through a timeline. I also always love a little outing for wedding party photos, and if you’re into it, you can see my fave spots here. 

3:00 pm: Hide Away Before the Ceremony

I always recommend doing this with your partner, because those giddy moments right before you get married?? They’re everything. 

4:00 pm: Say “I do!” 

4:30 pm: Take a Moment Alone With Your Lover

I mean, you just got married. Take a sec to celebrate with each other, just the two of you. These are the little moments that let you really stay present. Then, if you want to join your cocktail hour, you totally can! 

5:30 pm: Enter Your Reception

Whatever order you want to go in for special dances, toasts, and dinner works here. For the rest of the day after this point, the structure is even looser. So if you just want to kick back with your cocktail of choice, I love that for you. 

7:30 pm: Dance Floor Opens

Here’s where you’re dancing to your fave Beyoncé songs with your fave people, wearing a cute AF sparkly reception dress + having the time of your life. Yeah, I see you. 

Day-Of Wedding Regret #2: Not Having a Private Moment Together

Okay, as I said above, the moments where you’re actually spending QT together, just the two of you, are the ones where you’ll feel the most present and connected during your day. Any time couples don’t do this, it genuinely feels like they barely got to be together on the first day of their forever. So, being intentional about it and actually building it into your day-of wedding timeline is always the key here. 

That’s another reason that I love a separate first look and private vows as a Chicago wedding photographer. It gives you a sec to get away from the chaos of the day and focus on why you’re really here. And yes, I’m giggling, crying, kicking my feet behind the camera every single time. 

What This Actually Looks Like

I’ve had couples build in 20 minutes alone after their ceremony, and every single time, they come back calmer, more present, and actually able to enjoy the rest of the night. It’s one of those little tweaks that makes the biggest difference in how you experience your day. 

Day-Of Wedding Regret #3: Caring Too Much About Other People’s Opinions

If there’s one thing I hate on a wedding day, it’s following tradition because you feel like you have to. I’m not here for the cookie-cutter, people-pleasing couple. I’m here for the rad souls who want their wedding to feel full of funk and nostalgia because that’s when they feel most themselves. 

So, if you’re someone who wants to get a little spunky with your design or your day-of wedding flow, I’m so here for it. This isn’t your Aunt Judy’s wedding, it’s yours. Make it feel that way. Because when you look back on your photos, you’re gonna want to see you, not a performance of who you were on your wedding day. 

Day-Of Wedding Regret #4: Not Being Fully Present on Your Wedding Day

Fact: you’re never going to have fun on your wedding day if you’re worried about when your plates are arriving, focusing on finishing your Reel transitions, or focusing on the fact that your third cousin didn’t show even though they RSVP’d. Hiccups might happen, but when you’re not focused on every little thing going wrong, you’ll enjoy your wedding day so much more. 

My top tip? Take some time to ground yourself. Sit with yourself and feel what you’re actually feeling. Soak in the moments of all your best people being in the same place at the same time. Because your wedding day only happens once, babes. Live in it. 

Day-Of Wedding Regret #5: Not Investing in What Actually Matters

Going off of that, it’s also not your job to worry about the things that may or may not be going wrong; that’s on your vendors. One of the most absolutely important things you can do on the day of your wedding? Invest in a good team that you can trust. Because the people working in the background are exactly the ones who are going to make sure you enjoy your day. A solid planner, a good photographer (hi), and a few other vendors will make your day flow easily and naturally, so that you never have to worry. And honestly, babe, that’s what I always want for you.

Wedding Day Tips FAQ

How long should a wedding day timeline be?

As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’ve seen how a rushed timeline squeezes your day wayyy too much. I always suggest a timeline that’s at least 12 hours, if you’re planning a traditional wedding. 

Should you do a first look?

I’m always here for a first look. You get tons of extra time in your timeline in case you need wiggle room, and the editorial portraits we can get?? I live for them. 

How do you stay present on your wedding day?

You’ll be the most present when you’re focusing on the things that really matter. And that all stems from a good plan. Your timeline, vendors, and priorities are what’s going to play a huge part in this, babes. 

Your Quick Summary

TLDR? Here’s the wedding day regrets that you’ll want to avoid: 

• Not building enough time into your timeline
• Not having a private moment together
• Letting other people’s opinions take over
• Not being present
• Not investing in vendors you trust

When you avoid these things, you leave feeling like you just had the best day of your whole life, because, let’s face it… You probably did. 

Wren and Rose | Chicago Wedding Photographer

If you’re looking for a Chicago wedding photographer who will help you create a day that you get to live in, I’m so on board, babes. You can reach out here to inquire. Let’s plan a day that’s as bold + untraditional as you are.