On the big day itself

Your wedding has finally arrived

The morning of your wedding is likely to be hectic, so plan your routine carefully in advance.

It is wise to have your make-up and hair finished at least an hour before you leave for the ceremony. This will give you time to dress calmly and pose for pre-ceremony photographs.

Make sure that your going-away outfit and honeymoon luggage is packed and that someone is taking it to the reception venue.

You and your father (usually) should travel to the ceremony together, while everyone else arrives in advance. Leave enough time to arrive promptly for the ceremony -- then if you choose, you can observe the tradition of being a little late, without the panic of actually being so!

Here comes the bride

If you are getting married in church, you enter on your father's right arm (or on the arm of whoever is giving you away) and walk up the aisle followed by your attendants. Tradition has your face covered with a veil, but not many women observe that now.

As you arrive at the front of the pews, the groom will move to your right side and your father will drop back very slightly behind you. You should then hand your bouquet to your chief bridesmaid, who will lift your veil if necessary.

Once you've been proclaimed husband and wife, you both lead the attendants and parents into the vestry for the signing of the register, followed by a triumphant procession out of the church.

Once upon a time, the bride and groom would arrange for a chimney-sweep to meet them at the church doors as they left the ceremony because it was supposed to bring good luck to the marriage!

Much the same procedure is followed in a register office, but usually with far less ceremony. However, civil weddings taking place in approved premises such as castles or stately homes will often involve just as much pomp and circumstance, if not more.

Time for the reception

At the reception you should welcome your guests and receive everyone's best wishes and congratulations. If you have a formal receiving line, you are the third couple in line after the bride's parents and the groom's parents.

If there is a formal top table, your place is on the left of your groom.

There is no reason why you shouldn't make a short speech if you want to, adding your thanks to your husband's, parents, family and friends. After the toasts, speeches and cutting of the cake, you and your husband should lead the dancing if there is any. This is known as the ‘first dance’ and couples tend to choose their favourite song. Some couples like to learn to waltz (or jive or tango!) specially for this moment.

If you are formally 'going away' from your reception, it is customary to change into a going-away outfit -- helped by your chief bridesmaid. Parents usually say their private good-byes at this time. If you intend to party until the bitter end, do let your guests know, as some of the older ones may well be wilting as they wait politely for you to leave.

You and your husband then rejoin your guests for a traditional send-off. This is another opportunity for the confetti to come out, if the venue allows! Your final farewell gesture might be to toss your bouquet into the crowd and whoever catches the flowers is said to be the next to get married. Point them in the direction of confetti.co.uk