Photography by Emily Broadbent Photography
On the big day, you’ll find Hillary Williams seeing to details—ensuring that the bride and groom have their signature cocktail in hand, making sure the venue looks just right, tending to the bride. The founder of Hillary J. Events, Williams plans about 25 weddings per year. The lead-up to the ceremony requires her to wear multiple hats, including “hype girl,” she says. “I’m the girl who’s going to be excited about your custom envelope liner. Sometimes you just want to call someone and freak out because you love your veil. I want to be that girl, too.” One thing that never seems to change: the day’s inevitable nerves, hiccups, and last-minute to-dos. Here’s how you can make the day feel perfect, regardless of what comes your way.
Pack for the unexpected. “A ‘Mary Poppins’ trunk of emergency supplies: everything from extra picture frames and a staple gun to deodorant, granola bars, and Tums… Also a mini ‘goodie bag’ for the bride or maid of honor to keep on hand—it has things like bobby pins, safety pins, eye drops, Band-Aids, and mints.”
Think ahead. “There are always things that come up at the last minute. A big thing is gratuity. All of the day-of items, like food. I like to put that in their minds earlier rather than later when it comes to the budget.”
Remember to make it official. “An obvious but common thing that can be overlooked, believe it or not, is remembering to bring the marriage license to the ceremony. I triple-check with my couples at the rehearsal.”
A lot goes on behind the scenes. “People are very surprised at how much time goes into getting from one place to another and planning accordingly. People always say, ‘I can’t believe we’re going to be getting ready for hours. That’s going to seem like forever.’ But they don’t realize that pictures are going on, hair and makeup, the florist comes in, or the photographer comes in, the time it takes to put on dresses and for everyone to pack up.”
Make the experience personal. “Incorporate elements into the wedding that are really expressive [of the couple], whether it be a dining experience, a whiskey tasting, a cigar roller, doing something unique with music, having a big dance, having cakes on the table. Scents are also becoming a thing, custom candles.” (She says she’s noticed that color, particularly blues and jewel tones, is making a comeback.)
Capture the details. “Don’t forget to include detail shots: paper goods, ring box, accessories… These details are such a part of your story and really add to your wedding gallery.”
Lean on your support. Williams suggests that stressed brides turn to the wedding planner during “times when they need me to be the bad cop or need an outside voice, whether it’s a maid of honor they feel has overstepped or a mother of the groom having conflicting opinions and they want someone to create that common ground.”
Take a break. “Couples overlook how exhausting it is to be ‘on’ from start to finish of wedding weekend—the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, welcome party, wedding day, morning-after brunch. It’s a lot. Create some alone time for the couple to sit back and take it all in.”
There’s always a reason to celebrate. “I truly believe that—from the minute you get engaged to the minute you make your sparkler exit. It’s important to celebrate the everyday and the big days. The wedding day should be one of the most amazing days of your life, but it’s not the only amazing day.”
