5 Intentional Ways to Slow Down and Be Present on Your Wedding Day
Your wedding day is filled with so much magic, laughter, happy tears, joyful chaos, and once-in-a-lifetime moments…BUT with all of that packed in one day it makes it fly by in the blink of an eye. One minute you are perfecting your lipstick with your girls in the bridal suite, and the next you are going through a sparkler exit tunnel passing by all of your best friends and favorite family to say goodbye! If you are anything like most couples, you’ll hear it over and over again: “The day goes by so fast”. AND IT’S TRUE!!!!!
BUT…..IT DOESN’T HAVE TO FEEL LIKE A BLUR!!
With just a little intention, you can create quiet, little pockets of peaceful pauses in your day to help you stay grounded, connected, and fully present.
Here are 5 of my favorite ways to slow down and actually soak in your wedding day.
Share a FIRST LOOK! One of the most powerful ways to pause time on your wedding day is to plan a first look. There are many first looks you can do on your wedding day, like with a parent (daddy/daughter), or your wedding party, or my favorite one that I have seen so much success with is the Bride + Groom first look! (I have a whole blog post on this one alone, it really is a fan favorite!!) These give you a chance to put all of the timeline rush behind you for just a little bit and step into your feelings. It quiets the noise, it calms the rush, it helps heal your nerves and creates a space to breathe before all eyes are on you!
2. Have a private dinner, just the two of you. This one’s a hidden gem. Right after your ceremony events, before the reception whirlwind begins, slip away for 10-15 minutes (or a little more if you choose, you deserve it!!) to enjoy your first meal together as a married couple in private. Just the two of you, tucked away from the crowd with your plates, maybe a small toast, and a deep breath. It might be the only quiet moment you get until the end of the night. And trust me, my couples always say it’s one of their favorite memories!
3. Exchange Letters or Private Vows before the ceremony. If you opt for no bride + groom first look, then exchanging letters to read before the ceremony is always another good option to still have that intimate moment of peace and ground yourself emotionally. It reconnects you to the why of your day before the rush begins. You can do this back-to-back without seeing each other and read your notes out loud, or separately in quiet spaces. Either way, it adds a powerful emotional layer to your experience and helps you start the day with clarity and love.
4. Plan an unplugged sunset moment. Once golden hour rolls around, consider stepping away, just the two of you, for a quiet sunset moment. This could be for a few private photos, a quiet walk, with your favorite beverage, or simply a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air and reflect on your day. Leave the phones behind, leave the guests inside, and let it be a space to simply be present together. BONUS: If you’re doing portraits, this is the perfect time to blend a peaceful pause with dreamy, glowy images you’ll treasure forever.
5. End the night with a private last dance. After the reception winds down and guests have cleared the room, stay back for one last slow dance, just the two of you. No audience, no timeline. It’s the exhale at the end of the best day of your life. A quiet moment to hold each other, reflect on the love that surrounded you, and lock it all into your memory before the grand exit.
TO WRAP IT UP….
Your wedding day is more than just a timeline, it’s the day you become one. And while photos, florals, and dance floors matter, the moments that stay with you the longest are the ones that feel the most real. So take some time. Be intentional. Slow down, just a little. Because these are the moments that make your day yours.
Planning a wedding and want to make space for these peaceful moments?
As your wedding photographer, I love working with couples and planners to build timelines that include room to breathe, laugh, pray, cry, and truly feel the day, not just rush through it. If you’re dreaming of a wedding experience that’s not only beautiful but meaningful, lets chat!!