Not all brides are prone to tears, and that’s great, it saves them from having to fix their make-up several times throughout the day, but for those of us who tear up at almost anything, there are some moments throughout your wedding that you should be prepared for. Even brides who don’t expect to get emotional can find their eyes getting steamy so just be prepared.
The rehearsal
The rehearsal can be a surprisingly emotional experience for both the bride and the groom. You’re essentially acting out the moment you both tie the knot, and seeing each other up at the altar you’ll be standing at the following day to make it official can get a little overwhelming, even if you are just in jeans. Bring the tissues for this one.
When you see your fully-decorated venue
Whether it’s the night before, or if it’s the wedding day itself when you first walk into your fully-decorated venue, this might make you cry a little with joy. All the planning and preparation and ideas have finally all come together in one big space where your family and friends will sit together and enjoy your wedding meal with you. It’s emotional.
When you get ready
There’s a lot of elements to getting ready that could make you cry. For a start, getting into your dress is a very significant moment, and probably the first one where you officially feel like a bride on your wedding day. Not to mention the fact that when your bridesmaids and mother help you with the finer details and help you with your veil, there’s a good chance they might start to cry too, which will only make you tear up even more. And when your dad sees you for the first time, all bets are off.
When the music starts
This could happen at pretty much any stage in the day. For a start, when the music starts and it’s time to walk down the aisle, but also when any music that you so carefully chose for each part of your wedding ceremony comes on you may feel some prickly tears. Even later on when the emotional ceremony is over, be prepared to tear up when the music comes on for your first dance.
When your dad walks you down the aisle
This is an obvious one. With all eyes on you as you walk slowly up the aisle, linked arm in arm with your dad, you’re probably going to get a little misty-eyed. Particularly, the further up the aisle you get when you see your mum start to cry (not to mention there will probably be a few guests who will cry this early on too). Crying can be contagious so if you see other people shedding happy tears, you’re likely to get going too.
When you see your groom
Once you make it up the aisle, you’ll spot your groom looking back at you, and whether he’s the type to shed a tear or not, seeing him for the first time in his finery at the top of the aisle could set you off too. The ceremony is probably the most emotional part of the day, and with all the build-up and anticipation, not just from the morning itself, but from the past several months or even years of stressful planning and preparation, this is the moment it’s all been leading up to, when you meet at the top of the aisle to officially get married. It’s an emotional moment. It’s definitely ok to cry.
When you say your vows
Whether you write your own vows or just go with the standard ones, there is some serious power behind those words, and there’s a good chance you will cry when it’s your turn to speak. Even if you’ve managed to not cry up until this point, for some brides, a lot of that is due to the fact that they haven’t had to speak yet, and sometimes, hearing the sound of their own voice can set them off a bit. Just take your time and take deep breaths.
When everyone applauds your entrance
After the ceremony, you’ll have plenty of time to smile at the camera, and you’ll get some time alone with your new husband (and the photographer). You’ll have plenty of time to compose yourself after the emotional roller coaster that was your wedding ceremony. Now it’s time for the party. But when you walk into the reception and are introduced for the first time as Mr and Mrs only to be met with applause and smiling faces from all your friends and family, the emotion might take over once again and you might cry or even just well up a little. Don’t worry, it won’t last too long and then you’ll be safely at the top table for your meal, before the speeches that is. Where did those tissues go again?
The funny bits of the speech
Yes, the speeches could be a sob-fest, that goes without saying, many brides who have managed to get this far without crying often shed some tears when it comes to the heart-warming speeches. But one thing that may surprise you is that even the funny bits of the speeches could set you off. Whether you cry with tears of joy or laughter, the funny bits will still be nostalgic and could leave you as much of an emotional wreck as the touching bits do. But seriously, watch out for the touching bits too, because that’s something you may need the make-up bag for. Don't forget the time when you're officially welcomed into the family by your new in-laws, this can catch you off guard. Just smile and blink back the tears as a whole new family welcome you as one of their own.
When you crawl into bed
You may think you can’t cry anymore by the time you’re getting into bed with your beloved and it’s well after midnight. But you’ve had a very long and emotional day, you’re probably overtired and the adrenaline that has been coursing through your veins to keep you going all day is about to run out. This is the first moment of quiet you’ve had since your photographs, probably about 12 hours ago and you’re finally alone with your new husband, even minus the photographer. This is the time a lot of brides really realise that they are married and it’s often a moment worthy of a little cry. You could also just cry with relief that all the planning finally came to fruition, but either way, don’t be surprised if you shed a few tears before you drift off for your first night of sleep as a married lady.
- Jenny Darmody
Image credits: Happy tears: Pinterest | Table: Bride Box | Cake: Pinterest | Getting ready: Sean Jefferies Photography | Handkerchiefs: Pinterest | Couple: Bartek Witek Weddings | Bouquet: Pinterest | Tears: n.bennett Photography via Ruffled