Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions

Nervous about walking down aisle

Hi, not sure if this is the appropriate board for this post... but my wedding is this weekend and I getting surprisingly nervous! We have been planning our wedding for over a year and a half so it always felt like this thing out there in the future. Now that is it five days away,  I found myself getting scared about walking down the aisle and having all eyes on me! We are getting married in a large cathedral with a long aisle. My dad will be walking me down. Any tips on how to stay in the moment and not let nerves take over? I obviously really want to enjoy the moment and take it all in, but part of me is like, I just want to get to the end of the aisle!

Also, don't get me started on the thought of our first dance (we tried taking dance classes... that didn't go so well haha!) 

Re: Nervous about walking down aisle

  • I drank two glasses of champagne before I walked down the aisle. That helped. But honestly, it went SO fast. Before you know it, you're down at the end of the aisle. I was mostly concentrated on not tripping. 

    I will say though re: the first dance. Don't pick a long song! I did not realize how long our song was (a little over 3 minutes) and it felt like we were dancing for an eternity. It was super uncomfortable. If I could go back, I would have had the DJ invite everyone else to dance with us like a minute into the song. 
  • The day of my wedding I think I was seriously floating on a cloud.  I hate having all eyes on me so I was nervous about the ceremony, including walking down the aisle.  But the day came and I was half in la la land and half so super excited for H to see me that everyone else just disappeared.  And now that I think back on it, I can barely remember walking down the aisle because the whole day is a mushed up blur of fun.

    So my advice, just take a deep breath and look at your FI.  You will most likely be so overwhelmed with excitement and happiness about marrying him, everything else will disappear.

    And same with the first dance.  It is really amazing what being in a state of bridal/newlywed bliss will help you to ignore.

  • HReis13 said:
    Hi, not sure if this is the appropriate board for this post... but my wedding is this weekend and I getting surprisingly nervous! We have been planning our wedding for over a year and a half so it always felt like this thing out there in the future. Now that is it five days away,  I found myself getting scared about walking down the aisle and having all eyes on me! We are getting married in a large cathedral with a long aisle. My dad will be walking me down. Any tips on how to stay in the moment and not let nerves take over? I obviously really want to enjoy the moment and take it all in, but part of me is like, I just want to get to the end of the aisle!

    Also, don't get me started on the thought of our first dance (we tried taking dance classes... that didn't go so well haha!) 
    Nope!  I don't remember much about my wedding ceremony.  I had a traditional church wedding.  I just put myself on auto-pilot and went with the flow.  It was all good.  The important part is after the ceremony (your marriage).  Don't stress.  It will be fine.  Brides are SUPPOSED to be nervous!
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  • I'm on the side, that I had a little to drink to calm my nerves. Once I hit the isle, I just focused on my groom at the end of the isle. I don't remember anything or anyone else, even through the whole ceremony.

    For our first dance, we tried lessons too, but that didn't work out well, so we just winged it. Again, I just spend the whole song looking into his eyes and it was like we were all alone. We did do it right after the intros so everyone was sitting and not big "now time for the first dance" moment.

    Congrats on your wedding this weekend!! Hope it goes wonderfully for you

  • Do a first look!!!  I think it would have really helped my nerves and "in the moment"-ness :)
  • For me, it was about making sure I had nice stable shoes so I didn't slip or roll my ankle! And ditto everything CB said - have a little champagne, and cut your first dance song down to about 60-90 seconds. 3 minutes is a painfully long time to stand there swaying. 

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  • Thanks for the tips! That makes me feel better! Will definitely make sure I have a mimosa or two :) And I think our song is about 2.5 minutes long so hopefully we won't start feeling too awkward!
  • I was so busy running around that morning that my nerves didn't kick in until I got into the golf cart (we were at a golf course, and we used the carts to get from the reception area to the ceremony site).  I felt like I was going to throw up.  And then once we got there, and my dad took my arm, everything and everyone but my husband-to-be faded into the background.  I don't remember seeing any face in the audience.  I don't remember seeing the bridal party standing up there.  I only remember my dad walking me down the aisle and then focusing on my now-hubby's eyes during the vows.

    The anticipatory nerves are the worst part. One the wedding actually happens,you'll be in your own little bubble.
  • I did a shot of tequila with my BMs (as is our tradition when any one of us gets married) shortly before my processional. I was very nervous in the moments before and I kept telling my dad, "Don't let me fall, don't let me fall!" 

    Once it was our turn to walk, I was shaking, but as soon as I saw H I kept my eyes locked on him and nothing else mattered :)
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  • The casino where we got married has this little add-on called "Liquid Courage". They deliver a bottle and shot glasses to the bride and groom's ready rooms, and everyone does a shot. It helped SO much.

    If you choose to have some alcohol, though, make sure you've eaten something, and keep it to one shot. You don't want to get sick or woozy mid-ceremony. :) 
  • BlueBirdMBBlueBirdMB member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment Name Dropper
    edited December 2014
    We had gotten ready together before the wedding, so that wasn't why I was nervous.  I just felt so awkward being the bride that everyone was staring at.  I had never thought about myself as a bride.  I dunno, that's the only way I can describe it.  My father describes how just before we started to walk, I literally "locked and loaded".  I put my bouquet in a very firm position by my waist and stared straight ahead.  I don't remember anything else until I got to the end of the aisle.  You'll get through it.

    I was personally against alcohol before the ceremony.  I like to drink, don't get me wrong, but I think you should be completely sober to make the most important decision of your life.

    I didn't want that awkward first dance moment when you realize you've been dancing forever, so we had everyone join us about a minute in.  Some of my favorite pictures are from everyone slow dancing with us.  It was a really great moment. 
  • We had gotten ready together before the wedding, so that wasn't why I was nervous.  I just felt so awkward being the bride that everyone was staring at.  I had never thought about myself as a bride.  I dunno, that's the only way I can describe it.  My father describes how just before we started to walk, I literally "locked and loaded".  I put my bouquet in a very firm position by my waist and stared straight ahead.  I don't remember anything else until I got to the end of the aisle.  You'll get through it.

    I was personally against alcohol before the ceremony.  I like to drink, don't get me wrong, but I think you should be completely sober to make the most important decision of your life.

    I didn't want that awkward first dance moment when you realize you've been dancing forever, so we had everyone join us about a minute in.  Some of my favorite pictures are from everyone slow dancing with us.  It was a really great moment. 

    I really like the idea of people joining in on the dance!
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  • My wedding day is still 6 months away and reading this thread makes me nervous haha Just focus on your groom and the fact that all of the planning and waiting to start your lives as man and wife is over and finally happening. 

    I would probably drink a glass of bubbly too before the ceremony. 


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