Imagine the morning of your wedding day... waking before the sun rises, checking in on the weather (again), breakfast with your bridesmaids, sipping champagne while you get your hair and make-up done, bouquets being delivered and your Dad getting all emotional when he see you in your wedding gown. I had something else to add to my wedding schedule: yoga.

Yoga is a huge part of my life and so it seemed only natural to get on the mat on my wedding day. I asked one of my favourite teachers, Kat Clayton, to teach myself and the bridesmaids on Manly Beach at 6am, I think at the time some of the girls would preferred to have stayed in bed but now they all rave about what an awesome start to the day it was. Choosing a yoga teacher is such a subjective thing; I chose Kat because she is such a caring, genuine and happy soul - my instinct told me that she had the type of energy I would want to be around on the morning of my wedding. She did not disappoint.

Myself and my bridesmaids ready for wedding day yoga!

It was such a magic way to start the day - being outside, flowing on the sand with a view of the sun shining down on the ocean and the sound of waves rolling into shore. With the girls moving and breathing around me I felt so supported; knowing that they would be there for me not just on that day, but beyond into my marriage. Like most brides, I was so excited about walking down the aisle that I had got very little sleep the night before, but thanks to the yoga session I felt so alive, energised and ready to get hitched to the man of my dreams.

Sunrise Yoga on my Wedding Day at Manly Beach

Everyone always talks about how quickly your wedding goes...they are right, it flies by. I wanted to be able to be really present through the day so I could savour each moment. Practicing this on my yoga mat in the morning, helped me to continue with it throughout the day and I have so many vivid memories – rather than it all being a blurry haze. After a crazy few days of preparations, it was very calming to step back from the doing and to just be; to carve some quiet time into the morning. I felt a sense of relief that the day had finally arrived and by the end of class I was really grounded and clear headed.

Keen for other brides to experience the benefits of yoga on their wedding day, I now offer this service around the Northern Beaches. To me, marriage is a union between two individuals and also two families, whilst yoga creates unity between your mind, body and heart. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit and is derived from the root ‘yuj’ meaning ‘join’, ‘unite’ or ‘a pair’ – it literally means ‘union’. How perfect it is then to start off a day with a practice that is all about two becoming one.

Then there are a whole heap of physiological benefits that come from synching your breath and movement - getting out of your head and into your physical body, melting tension away before you walk down the aisle in front of your nearest and dearest. I can't promise you won't feel nervous, but you will feel calmer and be better equipped to deal with the nerves!

Feeling grounded and relaxed at the end of our session.

I customise each class according to the bride’s requirements, but usually it is a dynamic and flowing style of yoga to get freshly oxygenated blood and prana (energy) moving around the body. To really invigorate the group I include backbends and so that the bride walks down the aisle and into her marriage with an open heart, ready to give and receive love, we integrate a lot of chest opening postures.

Time is precious on the morning of your wedding day – it’s amazing how long it takes to get a bridal party through hair and make-up - so I come to you. Choose a location that suits you – whether that's your place, your parents' home, rental accommodation, outside in a park or on the beach. An indoor space can be hired if you would prefer. All levels are catered for, so even if the bride does yoga regularly but there are others in the party who are newbies, we have you covered.

Prices vary according to location and group size. Click below to make a booking enquiry!

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Here's what our brides say about their experience:

‘Thank you so much for teaching a wonderful yoga class to myself and the bridal party on the morning of our wedding. It was absolutely the best way to start the day! Lou was fantastic in guiding us through the class, making it completely relevant to the day which calmed my nerves and kept me grounded and relaxed to set me up for a perfect day. I couldn’t recommend it enough! Thanks again.’

- Mrs Belinda Talbot

‘I practised yoga every Saturday with Lou for about 6 months before I got married and I knew I really wanted to practice yoga on my special day. Our wedding was in the UK so Lou recorded a special wedding day yoga session for me. I woke up so early on the day of the wedding, I was bursting with excitement and also nervous about how the morning would pan out (as you don't get to rehearse that!) I put on my favourite yoga pants, took my yoga mat into the lounge room and for an hour I was taken to a safe, calm and relaxing place. I felt like Lou and my yoga class mates were there with me, and it was so special! I felt refreshed and ready to take on the world once I had finished. I can't recommend Lou's wedding day yoga enough - the best way to start such a special day!’