weddings 101

April Hartley and Michael Wolber’s wedding photos are taking the Internet by storm, and it’s easy to see why. This Oregon couple’s celebration was almost derailed by a raging wildfire. Indeed, their ceremony was cut short when firefighters arrived to enforce an evacuation order. The duo’s wedding photographer, Josh Newton, had just enough time to snap some shots on the scene, and the results are breathtaking. Not only are the portraits beautiful, they also represent an important lesson. April and Michael could have collapsed in tears while cursing Mother Nature, but they didn’t; they looked into each others’ eyes and got lost in the moment. The result? Mesmerizing photos they’ll treasure for a lifetime.

The truth is, no matter how organized you are there will always be something that doesn’t go quite according to plan–but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a “perfect” (or nearly perfect!) day. Much like marriage itself, there will be bumps along the road, unexpected twists and turns, but it’s how you deal with the detours that really counts. You can let rain clouds, wine stains or unruly relatives ruin your wedding, or you can take a deep breath, smile, and remember why you’re there in the first place–your wedding day isn’t really about perfection after all, it’s about committing to a lifetime of sunny and stormy days with the person you love most in the world. Here’s our advice for dealing with unexpected events on your wedding day and keeping it all in perspective:

Have a Backup Plan There are certain things (besides wildfires!) that you can anticipate, and it helps to be prepared. Wrapping your head around possible scenarios is one way to seriously reduce your wedding-day stress. For example, when you’re choosing a venue for your outdoor ceremony make sure they also have a nice indoor space–just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. And if it does rain on your wedding day, make the most of it by incorporating colorful umbrellas and rubber boots into your photos.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff We know you’ve been planning and Pinning your heart out since the day you got engaged in order to ensure every last detail will be perfect, but do keep in mind that your guests are just happy to be there celebrating with you–they won’t notice if the tablecloths aren’t the right shade of blue or the DJ mixes up your entry song with your father-daughter dance. Trust us, only you will know, and only you have the power to let it go. So, LET. IT. GO.

Look For The Silver Lining April and Michael’s wedding is proof that there’s always a bright side. Let’s say your limo gets a flat tire as you’re traveling from your ceremony to your reception. Take this unscheduled opportunity to enjoy some quiet time together and reflect on the day’s events so far. Here’s another possible scenario: a thunderstorm blows through town, the power at your reception venue flickers and then briefly goes out but it’s not the end of the world. After all, what could be more romantic than a candlelit wedding dinner with all of your loved ones? You see, it’s all about how you look at things, so stay calm and party on!

Image: Josh Newton