ten_delay

   I’ve seen it happen too many times: Bride has unclear understanding of how much time it takes to be ready on time. Bride arrives late to church and has to rush around to put on finishing touches and put out fires. Bride is now in questionable mood but puts on pretty smile as she begins her trip down aisle.
   Pardon the cynical tone. I’m not usually like this. Because I have a very soft spot in my heart for the bride's welfare I’ve explored WHY brides sometimes run late and are typically over-stressed. Following are some of the most common reasons.
Remember that these are just some of the things that actually happened to brides like you.

üThey took phone calls on the wedding day while trying to get ready. Aunt Murgatroyde in Punkin Center, who - bless her heart - is physically unable to attend, decided it would be “so special” to call her favorite niece on the day of her wedding… and talk her ear off. Big time dilemma. You love your sweet little auntie, but if you take the call you’re going to be late and add to your stress.
   Solution: Think about this probability before the big day. Call your auntie before the wedding and be sure to let her know that this is the call you would have had. Then, have someone designated as the OBR (Official Bridal Receptionist) take calls at the house while you’re getting ready. That’s right: Someone to screen your calls and explain in an apologetic tone that you’re not available and won’t be ‘til after the honeymoon. This person must be both a People Person and one who can say “No” politely but convincingly.

üThey let their hairdresser do “Something Special” to their hair on the big day. This is not - I repeat not - the time to get creative and experiment. Tell her or him to stick with what you both know - or you WILL be late.
Your hair will look great.
You will avoid major angst.
Your hubbie-to-be will love you just as much.
Your guests will think you’re beautiful.
Your ex-boyfriend, if he shows, will still eat his heart out.
... or do a trial-run with your hairdresser before the big day!

   Time for a little war story. I was photographing a wedding at the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel for a couple of Rhodes Scholars. To say the least, these are smart people.
   This is how things are done at the USAFA Chapel: If you want to get married there, be on time. Period. If you are late, the chaplain will adjust the length of your ceremony on-the-fly so that this ceremony will end on time and the next one can start on time. On some days, weddings are literally back-to-back.
    We all waited and wondered where the bride was as the clock ticked off the minutes . (One cool thing about being the bride - the wedding won’t start without you.) Mere minutes before the appointed hour our bride showed up in a convertible antique classic car - and fuming. Her - not the car. Later, she explained that she couldn’t let the driver go over 30 on the interstate because the wind would mess up her hair and the convertible top had been left behind. Who would’ve thought?
   Moral of the story: You can’t plan for everything, but do your best anyhow.