5 things to practise before your wedding

Weddings are full of moving parts (literally and metaphorically). You’ve planned every detail: the flowers, the playlist, the seating chart (twice), but when was the last time you actually practised the moments that will unfold on the day?

From walking down the aisle to managing your own emotional reactions, here are five things to practise before your wedding to help you feel grounded, confident, and present when it really counts.

1. Your wedding vows or speech

Of course, your vows or speech are straight from the heart, but that doesn’t mean they should be completely off the cuff. Writing them down is a great first step. But reading them out loud is where the magic happens.

When you practise aloud, you’ll hear where your sentences get tangled or where the emotion catches in your throat. That’s a good thing: it helps you stay true to your feelings and keep your delivery clear. Speak naturally, with your regular tone and pace. You don’t need to project like you’re in a Shakespeare play, but do make sure your partner (and guests) can actually hear you.

Time yourself. Aim for under three minutes. Short and sweet is always better than long and meandering (unless you’re giving a full stand-up comedy routine, and even then… edit).

Our tip: Print your vows or speech on something nice, like a card or sturdy paper. Also, give a copy to your celebrant or trusted member of the bridal party. That way, if nerves hit or you misplace your notes, there’s a backup ready to go.

Work with our celebrants who’ll help you write vows that sound like you, and feel great saying out loud.

2. Your first dance

Even if you’re going for a casual sway-and-smile moment, a quick run-through can make all the difference. You don’t need a five-minute choreographed number (unless you want to, of course!) but knowing where to put your hands, how to move together, and when to spin (if you’re spinning) can ease any awkwardness on the night.

If you’ve booked dance lessons: great. Practise at home too, in the shoes you’ll be wearing on the day. Even a few twirls in your living room can help you build muscle memory and stop you from hyper-fixating on your footwork when you’d rather be in the moment.

Consider your venue, too. A parquet dance floor behaves very differently from a patch of lawn or a heritage hall with worn floorboards. If you can, try dancing on a similar surface beforehand. Lastly, don’t worry if it’s not perfect. This dance is yours. Whether you’re gliding, giggling, or stepping on each other’s toes, it’s part of the story.

From aisle songs to your first dance, the right musician makes all the difference. Find a professional entertainer for your wedding today.

3. Walking in your wedding attire

Walking in a wedding outfit is… different. It doesn’t matter how confident you are in your everyday strut: add a floor-length gown or a structured suit, nerves, a long aisle, and dozens of eyes watching you? That’s a whole other vibe.

That’s why this is something to practise before your wedding. And yes, it starts with your shoes. Break them in slowly over a few weeks. Wear them around the house. Walk on different surfaces—tiles, carpet, pavement, stairs. Practise standing, sitting, and yes, dancing. If you’re wearing heels, test how long you can stay in them comfortably and consider gel inserts, heel grips, or—let’s be honest—an emergency pair of flats tucked somewhere discreet.

Our tip: If your outfit includes a train, veil, cape, or anything with volume, practise walking with it on, or at least with something of similar length and weight. Try hugging people, turning around, sitting down. Add a friend (or an enthusiastic pet) into the mix to simulate wedding-day chaos.

Suit wearers: do the flexibility test. Button it up, sit down, raise your arms, do a pretend toast. Make sure you’re not about to spend the day feeling stiff or restricted.

You’re not aiming for a catwalk moment. Just comfort, confidence, and a little bit of calm swagger. And that all starts with what you choose to practise before your wedding.

You’ll remember how it felt: not just how it looked. Find your dream wedding outfit on our curated list of formalwear and wedding dress suppliers.

4. Your makeup look

Makeup is not something you want to trial for the first time on your wedding day. Whether you’re doing it yourself or working with a pro, a trial is essential – and one of the most important things to practise before your wedding.

Book your makeup trial a few weeks in advance, ideally on a day you can wear it for a few hours. That way, you’ll see how the products last, how the colours sit on your skin, and whether you feel like yourself (but slightly more fabulous).

Our tip: Take photos in natural light. Your wedding photos will capture every detail, so you want to be sure you love how your makeup looks on camera, and not just in your bathroom mirror.

Also, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you want something softer, bolder, glowier, say so. And if you’re planning a tear or two (very likely), test how waterproof everything really is.

Book a trial with one of our trusted hair and makeup artists to perfect your wedding-day look with confidence.

5. Meditation (yes, really)

Your wedding day is one of the most joyful, emotional, and occasionally overwhelming days of your life. So it makes sense to learn how to meditate and practise before your wedding.

You don’t need to sit cross-legged with incense (unless that’s your vibe). Just try taking 3–5 minutes each day in the lead-up to breathe deeply and check in with yourself.

Focus on your breath, your heartbeat, or even a mantra that reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place (hint: love, not linen napkins).

This small daily ritual can help train your mind to stay present on the day. So, when things feel busy, you’ll know how to pause, refocus, and savour the moment instead of spiralling about a late shuttle bus or a wonky boutonnière.

Practise before your wedding: not to be perfect, but present

It’s easy to get caught up in the details—flowers, menus, guest lists—but some of the most valuable things to practise before your wedding are the ones that help you feel prepared, not just look it. Whether it’s walking in your dress, reading your vows out loud, or simply breathing through a quiet moment of calm, these are the little rituals that ground you in the experience.

Start now: choose one small thing to practise before your wedding and give yourself the gift of feeling calm, confident, and completely present on the day.