Picture this, it’s your wedding day…You are getting ready, surrounded by your bridal party, your mom & sisters, and anyone else who will fit into the hotel room. It’s your day and everyone wants to be a part of it. Your dress is now on, thanks to your wonderful bridesmaids who buttoned up every last button. “Thank goodness for them all!” you think to yourself, “they can do up buttons!”, you giggle out loud. It’s your day and your giddy and nervous and maybe a little punch drunk from lack of sleep. The photographer shouts out “OH my, look at that gorgeous light just down the stairs, let’s go take some photos!” You squeal in delight, “YES!” You and your wedding party head down the stairs in the direction of the light, talking and laughing as your maid of honour scoops up the back of your dress to make sure you don’t trip or step on it. Suddenly, your younger sister, your only sister, says “I need to rest for a second”.
Hmmmm….she doesn’t look good. Nerves, excitement have all kicked in. The photographer asks “Julie, have you eaten this morning?” Julie whispers “No, I meant to at the hairdresser, but I didn’t have time, plus I’m not that hungry”. RED LIGHT! Photographer to Julie, “Here Julie, I have a granola bar and a water, eat it and drink it!” Julie looks at the water like she’s seeing things, like it’s a mirage. No Julie, you’re not seeing things, you just forgot to eat and drink like most bridesmaids do while doing their duty on the big day. Disaster diverted!
Although her name wasn’t Julie, the above story is the “lighter” version of what I’ve seen over the years as a wedding photographer. From bride’s almost passing out, to bridesmaids literally fainting, to a groomsmen turning pale white during the ceremony and having to sit down on the altar steps during the ceremony. I’ve seen my share of wedding day dehydration. I know, you have enough to worry about on your day. It’s tough to ensure that everyone eats and drinks. Well, although you can’t possibly monitor what everyone is doing, you can put your right foot forward to help lead people in that direction. Have a small spread waiting at your getting ready room and at your groom’s getting ready room. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just some light sandwiches, fruit and a veggie tray.
Most important, have water on hand. Put it in a cooler, make sure it’s nice and cold and just have it on hand. After the getting ready is done and it’s time for the ceremony, have someone in charge of carting that cooler from the getting ready room to the limo downstairs. In fact, PUT SOMEONE IN CHARGE OF WATER! And, if you’re mom wants to put out a spread that would feed kings, let her. First of all she’ll love doing it, secondly it will keep her busy and occupied while you and your bridal party get ready and thirdly, she knows something we forget. She knows, it’s going to be a LONG day and other then dinner time, there won’t be much time to stop for food and drinks. So while your bridesmaids and groomsmen are stuffing their faces with the little sandwiches you ordered from Costco or the Pickle Barrel or wherever you get them from, make sure you don’t forget about YOU. Yes, you too need to eat and drink and stay hydrated. You need the most stamina out of everyone that day. .jpg)
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