40 Clever Wedding Hacks That'll Make Any Big Day Run Without A Hitch

Planning a wedding is often a logistical nightmare. Everything has to be perfect, and the pressure is intense! Images of a stained dress, a ruined cake, or an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction may flash through your mind. Luckily, there are plenty of handy but little-known tips and tricks to make sure getting hitched goes off without a hitch. We’ve got your back...

40. Rough up your shoes

Wedding shoes are beautiful. They are the perfect accessory to finish off the bridal look! But will they actually function as shoes once you hit the dance floor, that is the question? To avoid any slips, rub sandpaper or a nail file on the bottom. This will create a bit of friction between you and the shiny floor.

39. Sew your bra into your dress

The last thing you want is for your wedding photos to be ruined by your bra sticking out of your dress. So, once you’ve said “yes” to that perfect wedding gown, arrange for a professional to attach your bra or bra cups directly into it. It’ll be a lot less hassle on the day. Plus, you can always have it removed from the dress later if you want to.

38. Spray your veil with hairspray

Veils are lovely, makeup is lovely… but the two don’t mix very well. If your veil gets in your face, it could end up smearing your carefully applied powder or lipstick. And let’s be honest: it probably will get in your face. To prevent any smudging, then, give your veil a good spritz of hairspray before the wedding. It should make the thin material stiff, meaning you can position it so that it’s not touching your features.

37. Use hand lotion on your fingers

It could be extremely awkward if the wedding ring doesn’t go on your finger at that crucial moment, so plan in advance. Before the ceremony, use a bit of hand cream on your digits to help the ring slide into place. This goes for both the bride and groom!

36. Use a sponge for envelopes

Chances are you’re going to be licking a lot of envelopes during the wedding-planning period. It’s hard work and not to mention a little unhygienic. Why put your tongue through all that? Instead, simply dampen a sponge and run that along the top of the envelopes to help them stick. Job done!

35. Use sticky tape to clean up powder

Using a setting powder will keep your face flawless throughout the entire wedding day. The only thing is it can end up everywhere. If any fallout gets on your outfit, you can use tape to remove the marks. Simply put the sticky side on the affected area and rip it off. And if the discoloration is still there, a damp cloth should solve the problem in no time.

34. Use polythene bags for bracelets and bangles

It can be easy to break delicate bracelets and bangles while trying to get them on — especially if you’re running late for the big day! All you need to avoid this, though, is a small plastic bag. Put the bag on your arm, slide the jewelry over it, and then take the bag off again. Crisis averted. The beautiful jewelry that you borrowed from Grandma stays intact!

33. Use photos on your wedding cake

Wedding cake toppers — a.k.a. just another item to add to the never-ending list of stuff to buy for the big day. Or not. You could use some photos instead. They’ll be cute, creative, and better for the planet. It’s a win-win.

32. Beat Facebook at its own game

“My new wedding hack is beating targeted Facebook ads at their own game,” an enterprising Redditor posted in 2019. “I Google stuff using different words and then wait for Facebook to show me cheap deals on them! I’ve found a bunch of stuff doing this, and it’s all been great quality!” Give it a try yourself.

31. Use no-sew dress alterations

Your dress may need a very last-minute alteration when the seamstress is off the clock, and, of course, not everyone knows how to sew. If this happens, don’t panic. Consider using invisible tape or safety pins on any parts you wish to cinch in. Your dress will look great, and no one will suspect a thing while you’re walking down the aisle. 

30. Don’t mess with your hair

Be very, very careful with your hair before the big day! If you want a trim, book it in for a few weeks before the wedding. “This gives your haircut a chance to settle and enough room to grow a tiny bit if you aren’t 100% happy with the cut,” said beauty specialist and stylist to the stars Justine Marjan in an Instagram video. And as soon as you’ve settled on a hairstyle that you like, don’t start messing with it on the actual day of the ceremony. You’ll have to look at those photos forever if it goes wrong.

29. Save money (and the planet) with the right confetti

Traditional confetti is bad for the planet as it doesn’t break down. Thankfully, there are now lots of eco-friendly options available. Why not use dried petals, sweet-smelling lavender, or even pieces from old books or newspapers? 

28. Use a fake cake

A fake what? No, really. Over the years, the concept of “dummy cakes” has really caught on. The cake that appears in all your photos and videos is a carefully constructed fake version that looks like it could be the real thing! The edible version then stays in the kitchen — safe from anyone who gets a bit wobbly on their feet. Well, until it’s time to cut it and tuck in, of course!

27. Tuck dryer sheets into your clothes

Weddings will inevitably attract insects — what with food being left out and those gorgeous-smelling floral table decorations. But there is a handy trick to keep them at bay. Simply pop dryer sheets around the venue. And if you’re scared of bugs getting too close, you can even hide some in your outfit, too. 

26. Easily reopen sealed envelopes

What do you do if you’ve sealed all of your invites only to realize you’ve left cousin Shiela’s name off the one going to her family? Don’t fret, that is the answer! Just put the envelope in a ziplock bag and in the freezer for a few hours. You should find it opens easily. Next, simply tweak the message and re-seal the envelope when it’s warmed up a bit. No one will suspect a thing!

25. Rub soap over a stuck zipper

Zippers can be very tricky, and if your wedding dress has one it would be a disaster if it got jammed on the day. If the worst does happen, one very common household item can come to your rescue: soap. Running a bar up either side should make it greasy and encourage the zip to whizz up and down once more.

24. Wear something with buttons to get ready

This hack seems so obvious, but it’s frequently overlooked. When your stylist is doing your hair and makeup for your wedding, make sure you’re wearing a buttoned shirt that can be slipped off over your shoulders! Otherwise, you’ll have to lift it over your face and hair… the two things you’ll want to stay perfect and undisrupted.

23. Cut a pencil up to make an earring shaft

Losing an earring shaft isn’t a huge disaster — unless the whole earring falls out as a result, of course! And if you notice in time, know that there is an easy temporary fix. Simply find a pencil and cut off a little bit of the rubber on the end. Slide it onto the pointy bit behind your earlobe et voila. Problem solved.

22. Coat your eyelashes in Vaseline

Want a quick, inexpensive way to give your lashes more volume? Of course! Well, in the run-up to your wedding, rub a small amount of Vaseline on them as you get ready for bed. When you wake up the next morning, you should find it easier than ever to apply mascara.

21. Spray bug repellent on table legs

Unfortunately, pesky insects are just a fact of life. They show up everywhere — even at weddings. But thankfully, there are ways of getting around that. Try spritzing your table legs with bug spray, especially if your venue is by a lake or in a beautiful woodland area.

20. Weigh down your wedding veil

The one thing you absolutely can’t control on a wedding day is the weather. If you’re outside, a gust of wind may well leave you chasing your veil across the churchyard or venue...unless you use this clever trick. You see, you can now buy beautiful, jewel-encrusted magnets with which to hold your veil in place.

19. Wear an IKEA bag

This is the part of the wedding that no one talks about: peeing while wearing a huge dress. Luckily, there’s a solution! Cut a hole in the bottom out of an IKEA bag and step into it when you need to use the loo. Grab the handles and hitch your skirt up with no problem! Genius, right?

18. Edit out unwanted guests with ease

It’s happened to plenty of people — someone’s evil aunt or irritating cousin finds their way into the most important wedding photos. But don’t worry: they can be edited out in Photoshop! And getting a few people-free shots of the same backdrop will make this task a lot simpler. Either take some yourself or ask your photographer.

17. Make fancy napkins at a pinch

Why pay extra for stylish napkins when you could make them yourself? It’s a lot easier than it looks. Some simple flowers will make them pop, and you can use twine — a pretty common garden item that you probably already have — to tie them up. You don’t even have to learn to fold them into animal shapes!

16. DIY and personalize wedding favors

If you’re a crafty kind of person, why not try creating your wedding favors instead of buying them? You don’t even need to start from scratch. Simply buy some inexpensive gifts — such as soap, candles, or loose tea — and carefully decorate them with your guests’ names. This may also help everyone at the party to remember who everyone is!

15. Make sure no-one fidgets with the rings

Take note, best men and women. Just getting the rings to the church isn’t enough; they also have to be in perfect condition. If nerves get the better of you, don’t rub them together in your pocket or palms as this could do some damage. And if you really want to be better safe than sorry, keep them in a soft bag or box until it’s time. 

14. Put a QR code on your RSVPS

It’s time to modernize the wedding invitation. Put a QR code on the notelet when you send it out, and guests will be able to scan it with their phones to get all of the information. You could include directions to the venue, menu options, or even a cute video of yourself and your intended. Aww.

13. Don’t get a facial beforehand

Yes, it’s tempting, but you shouldn’t get a facial before the big day. It can end in disaster. Sam Salk of Mobile Bridal Salon told the website Brides in 2021, “I had a bride get a facial the day before her wedding. That following morning, her entire forehead was scabbed and looked as if she had been burned. She had a severe reaction to whatever products the esthetician had used. I use this as a cautionary tale for my future brides.”

12. Get some (almost) free glass jars

Planning a rustic-style wedding? Then you’ll almost certainly want some glass jars. They’re very versatile and can be used for candles, flowers, and more. And you don’t have to order them in especially, either! Just start using up what’s in your pantry and keeping any jars to one side in the run-up to the big day.

11. Subtly gather addresses

There are many things you can do with postcards at a wedding. For one, you can get your guests to write messages on them and create a nice display. And, rather more practically, you can ask everyone to write down their home addresses. That way you won’t have to look up every single one when it comes to sending out the thank-you cards! You’re welcome.

10. Put extra underwear on over tights

Tights can be an often-overlooked part of a wedding outfit. And if the ones you choose don’t fit perfectly, it can make the walk down the aisle incredibly uncomfortable. So to reduce any chances of them sliding down, put an extra pair of underwear on over the top of them. No one will ever know under all those layers of chiffon!

9. Prepare an SOS kit

No matter how carefully you plan a wedding, something could still go horribly wrong. So prepare for every disaster with an SOS kit! Pack safety pins, aspirin, wet wipes, and every conceivable thing you can think of. Then make sure you appoint somebody you can trust to never let it out of their sight.

8. Clean your jewelry yourself

By the time the wedding rolls around, the engagement ring may have lost a little sparkle. But don’t worry about taking it to a professional cleaner. You can bring back the shine at home. Place the piece of jewelry in a warm concoction of water and dish soap for half an hour, and then rub it carefully with a soft brush. It’ll be so bright you’ll need sunglasses!

7. Pre-prepare buckets of water

Make sure you have a few containers filled with water for when your guests arrive. It’s not for in case there’s a fire — although who knows, that might be helpful — it’s to put any bouquets in. And once the wedding is over, you can either take the arrangements home or donate them to a care home. They’ll still be fresh as a daisy — if you’ll excuse the pun. 

6. Use store-bought cake and smoothie straws

The price of wedding cakes may well make your jaw hit the floor. For some, it’s simply too much to fork out. But there is a solution. Just buy some regular cakes from the store and decorate them how you’d like. You could even get some real flowers! And if you want a tiered cake — who doesn’t? — simply balance the layers on top of each other using smoothie straws. They’ll help stop any sinkages or leaning towers of Pisa.

5. Use lash glue to attach jewelry

If you’re thinking of wearing facial jewelry at your wedding, know that you can use a product in your make-up arsenal to attach it. Yep, false eyelash glue ought to do the trick! Just pop a tiny bit on your face, count to 20, and push the jewel on. This can save you from having to get real piercings, too.

4. Spritz yourself with Victoria’s Secret

The most unwanted guests at a wedding? Mosquitoes. If there was an award for the most annoying insect, mosquitoes would probably win — especially as they pose a risk to our health. Thankfully, you don’t have to smell like citronella to keep them at a distance. The Victoria’s Secret fragrance Bombshell is known for warding off mozzies, and that smells gorgeous. 

3. Don’t do squats before your wedding

Doing a workout before the big day seems like a great idea, but that may not be the case. Working your muscles makes them retain water, which may cause you to feel puffier than normal. And it could make fitting into your dress or suit a bit of a squeeze. Who needs that stress on the morning of their wedding? 

2. Ditch the term “wedding”

You can, of course, call your big day a “wedding” in front of other people...but not when it comes to Google. When you’re looking for the items on your shopping list, googling “wedding” could add a couple of zeros to the price tag. Try searching for “suits” instead of “wedding suits,” for example.

1. Tie your bra onto yourself

Those pesky bras can really get in the way of a good wedding. If you still have to wear one with a strapless gown, here’s a sneaky hack for making it more secure. Instead of removing the straps completely, run them along the front and attach them to the opposite sides. This should stop the bra from falling down, allowing you to dance the night away!