Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Keys and Heidi Klum. These four celebrities have one thing in common (other than being filthy rich, super talented and gorgeous), and it’s that they were all pregnant while walking down the aisle.

Whether planned or not, sometimes babies just happen, but that shouldn’t be a reason to hold off on your wedding. If anything, it might just make it that more special, but you’ve got to plan ahead and plan well.

Here’s how to prep for your wedding day if you’re expecting, and hopefully, you’ll have a safely wild night, just like our A-list celebs across the seas.

1. Timing Is Key

Timing your entire wedding should be your first priority. Think of nothing else but this, and think long and hard about it. It’s so important that you plan ahead because you need to know how far along you want to be when you get married.

Knowing roughly how big your bump will be when you make that journey down the aisle will determine the sizing of your dress, what type of dress you need to look for, how tired you’re going to be, and what your pregnancy symptoms will be like.

For example, if it’s early in your pregnancy, will you have some pretty bad morning sickness to deal with? If you’re further ahead, will you be able to wear heels? Will you be more likely to tire out quickly?

Obviously, you can’t know everything for certain. Heck, you might be one of those unfortunate souls who have morning sickness for the entirety of the pregnancy, but having a rough guide will help you out in the long run.

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2. Shoe Change

If you’re adamant about wearing heels to your wedding, that’s fine, but be sure to keep a change of shoes with you. As the day wears on, standing up on your feet will be hard enough without having a pair of heels killing you. Keep some cute ballet flats on hand, or make sure your bridesmaids have a pair hidden for you.

This will honestly be a blessing you didn’t know you’d need. If you’re bold enough, bring along a comfy pair of slippers, because why the hell not. Anyone judging you isn’t carrying a child in their uterus.

3. Pick The Right Dress

If you’re sporting a baby bump, picking the right dress is a must. You’re probably going to have to ditch any of those dream gowns you’ve had planned since you were 15 out the window, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look fab.

For all our brave and bold brides, a figure-hugging dress will be an easy option for you, especially if you’re keen on showing off. But for those of you who aren’t as confident baring all, go for materials that aren’t stiff and that have a little bit of a stretch. An empire waist style will be perfect to accommodate that bump.

It’s also a good idea to keep in mind the material of your dress. You’ll probably want something that’s breathable to help keep you cool. Crepe and chiffon are the best options here, whereas tulle, satin or taffeta will be a bit hot and stuffy.

4. Book In More Dress Fittings

You’re a special bride who needs room to grow, so you’ll definitely need more appointments than someone who doesn’t have a tiny human growing inside of them. Book in more dress fittings than you normally would, that way your dressmaker can make all of the appropriate changes where necessary, and there’s more insurance for when your belly swells to a size you didn’t think was possible.

We know it’ll seem like a massive hassle at the time, but it’ll be worth it in the end, especially when you won’t need to be trying to shove yourself in a dress that is suddenly way too tight. Better safe than sorry!

5. Prep Your Food And Beverages

Yep, getting drunk off your face at your wedding is out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on all of the fun. Talk to your bartender to make sure you’ve got a nice drink set just for you throughout the night, as well as for when it comes time to make your toasts!

You’ve also got a range of foods that you can’t eat while you’re pregnant, so plan that ahead as well. You wouldn’t want to watch everyone eat their salmon canapes if you can’t, and it is your night, so plan the food that will be served around what you can eat. You do you, honey.

6. Be Careful With Pre-Wedding Glam

It’s not really the lead up to your wedding if you don’t take the time out for a spa day or some facials, is it?

While treating yourself like that is a great way to de-stress – a must for our pregnant ladies – do be careful of where you go and what type of treatments you get done. Basic facials are fine, but you’re definitely not going to want to do an in-depth one like a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. Do your research before you jump into any of this, and talk to your dermatologist and/or obstetrician.

Massages are a great way to reduce pregnancy discomfort, so booking yourself into one of those would be great, but be warned; some places won’t massage someone in their first-trimester because of the increased risk. Again, speak to your doctor, and don’t forget to do your research!

7. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Seriously, hydrate! Drink all the water and don’t hold back. We don’t care if it means you’ll need to pee a hundred times a day, you’ll thank us later.

Whether you’re pregnant or not, getting married or not, you should be drinking plenty of water all day, every day. For our expecting mothers, never has there been a more important time to get into the habit of having a bottle of water with you at all times, and for so many reasons.

Water helps transport nutrients to your baby as it increases the absorption of all the good stuff into your bloodstream. It also dilutes urine, preventing infection, and also prevents constipation and haemorrhoids. If you’re in your last trimester, it’s also important that you don’t get dehydrated, as it can actually trigger preterm labour.

Considering you might be feeling pretty hot and flustered, and you’ll be moving around a lot on your wedding day, we’re hoping you can now see what we mean by staying hydrated. Plus, if you’re feeling a little fancy, why not get a proper bottle all decked out to suit your wedding, kind of like a bridal water bottle. We know you like the sound of that.

8. Plan For The Unexpected

If you’re further along in your pregnancy, it’d be a good idea to plan ahead for all of the unexpected possibilities. After all, you never really know what can happen.

If you’re not planning on having your phone with you on the night, make sure to save all the numbers you’ll need in case of an emergency, like your obstetrician, midwife, or doula. It’s also a good idea to know how to get from your reception venue to the nearest hospital. Think of every possibility and have a plan for it. Again, it really is better to be safe than sorry.

9. Sit Back And Relax

When it comes to the day of your wedding, make sure that you’re always giving yourself the opportunity to have a seat somewhere. If you’re taking your pictures, don’t be afraid to call out when you need a break, and the same goes for every other point throughout the day.

You also need to be able to not stress. Let those around you take care of you as much as possible and let them fuss over you. Whether it’s your new husband, your bridesmaids, or your mother, let them take some control. The less you have to do, the better. Just sit back and enjoy the day.

Written by Hanan Merheb

Cover photo by @alexcohenphotography