Top tips for surviving a wedding in your final trimester of pregnancy

A few weeks ago, Mr M, bump and I attended a wedding of some very good friends of ours.

I LOVE a good wedding and was really looking forward to celebrating the day with them. But as the date approached, I started to worry a bit about how I would cope with a full day wedding in my third trimester.

But with a bit of careful planning, cope I did. In fact we had a wonderful day and Mr M and I were among the last on the dance floor at 1am when the band stopped playing. I did realise at some point, it would probably be our last night ‘out out’ as a couple before we forever become a family of three (or maybe more…) which excited and terrified me in equal measures.

So I thought it may be useful to share my top tips for surviving a wedding while pregnant…

1. Wear flat shoes
I know.

From the title of this blog, you’ll see that I am a huge fan of heels, especially when donning a posh frock.

I wasn’t happy when I realised TOWIF (The Only Way Is Flats), but being realistic, you are a fair bit heavier, probably not so well balanced as usual, and if you are anything like me, being out for a full day added to a fair bit of dancing, a hot day and it not really being the correct etiquette to put your feet up on a chair, results in swollen feet and ankles. Not ideal for stuffing into pretty heels.

I found some gorgeous sparkly silver flats and I am so glad I made the flat decision in the end.

 

2. Find a comfy, yet elegant frock

I must admit, I love the bodycon dresses for pregnant ladies. I think if you’ve got a bump, you should show it off and be proud.

However, in the end, I opted for a floaty number as I figured I could let it all hang out and nobody would know, and I would be comfy on what was a pretty long day. I was really pleased I did.

 

3. Take plenty of tissues

You know how you sob like a baby just watching people you have never met reunited with family on Long Lost Family at the moment because of those damn hormones?

Well it’s a whole lot worse when it’s the emotion of a wedding AND its some of your lovely friends.

I cried before the bride even came into the church.

I cried at the speeches.

I cried at the first dance.

I even cried when they cut the cake. Seriously.

Make sure you have tissues to mop up the tears.

 

4. Eat before you leave

This wedding was early at 1pm, but we still didn’t sit down until about 5pm for the wedding breakfast, once we’d got to the reception venue, had drinks, photos had been taken etc.

If I hadn’t had brunch before we left I would have either been chewing my arm off, passed out, or seriously grumpy. None of those make for an ideal day out.

Also, befriend the canape waiter. He’ll look after you if you’re nice to him, trust me.

 

5. If the venue isn’t very local, book a hotel

OK, I know I could have driven the 45 minutes home as I’m not drinking in my current state.

But at the end of a long day, I was so glad not to have to do so, as we had booked a hotel over the road.

I wouldn’t recommend a posh, expensive hotel, as realistically you probably won’t be in it for that long. Ours cost less than £50 for the night, but it was an absolute godsend and saved me from feeling terrible the next morning.

 

6. Take some paracetamol with you

I’ve tried to avoid the painkillers while pregnant, but having been sat down for so much of the day, my back was in pieces and had I not had a few paracetamol, I’d have probably been in bed by 9.30pm and have missed all the fun stuff.

 

7. Learn to laugh at drunk people

It’s the only way through it really. And they genuinely are quite funny if you don’t let them annoy you.

 

8. Take a hottie as your plus one

You’ll probably be feeling a little self conscious as one of the largest guests. You’ll be a bit out of your comfort zone as you know people are looking at you because of the bump. And you just aren’t how you usually are.

But if you take a hottie like Mr M along who loves you regardless of (and probably because of) your size, you’ll always have that little confidence boost and a bit of a safety blanket.

Plus, he can fetch and carry drinks, food from the buffet etc.