Weddings are a magical day, whether you’re in the bridal party, a guest, or the bride herself!

One of the more complicated parts of wedding pumping is navigating your outfit. And yes, we mean navigating. The sad reality is most wedding apparel is not pumping friendly. So, what do you? Choose something that is easy to pump in or something that makes you feel amazing but is a logistical nightmare?

And once you’re done pumping, where does the milk go? Is this a pump and dump situation? Or are we packing a cooler?

Never fear, Willow is here! Without further ado, here’s our guide for pumping at a wedding!

No different than pumping anywhere outside of your house, pumping at a wedding is going to take some planning. First: make sure you have everything you need.

Not sure where to start? Here are our recommendations:

• Pumping Bag: You need somewhere to keep your pump safe while you’re dancing the night away

• Extra Pump Parts: We all know life happens. Having a spare set of pump parts will help you be prepared in case something happens to your original set.

• Cleaning Kit: While you will want to make sure to do a thorough cleaning when you get home, you will need to clean your pump parts in between uses.

• Pump: We know, this sounds silly, but please remember your pump. You don’t want to have to run home to get yours or spend extra time hand expressing.

• Pumping Bra: Depending on your outfit’s style, a pumping bra may not work. If you can’t wear one, be sure to pack one.

• Milk Cooler: Unless you are planning to pump and dump, you want to be sure you have a plan for keeping your milk cold and safe until you can get it home.

• A snack or two: You might get snacky while you are waiting for your pump session to finish.

Pumping at a wedding does mean pumping in public. Whether you choose to pump at your table or in a room away from others, you aren’t going to be in your normal pumping environment. There really isn’t a “right” way to go about it, you just need to consider what is going to be the most comfortable for you!

Here are our tips for pumping at a wedding and still having a blast!

If possible, check with the venue ahead of time to see if there is a room available for nursing mothers to use. If you are in the bridal party, you may be able to use the room where you and the rest of the bridal party got ready before the ceremony.

If you aren’t in the bridal party, you can still ask the venue! Just please do us a favor and do not ask your bride to find out for you. Any other member of the bridal party is acceptable to ask.

If you finally decided to take the leap and invest in a Willow pump, your first time using it probably (definitely) shouldn’t be at a wedding, or any other event for that matter.

Breast pumps come with a learning curve. Before heading off on a night of fun, make sure you thoroughly familiarize yourself with your pump assembly and pump use!

Here’s our checklist of things to familiarize yourself with before pumping in public:

• Putting your flanges on with/without looking
• Finding the pump settings that work best for you and your let downs
• Troubleshooting any issues
• Assembling your pump

Once you pump your milk, you have to have a place to store it. You could call ahead and ask the venue if there is a refrigerator available for you to use. But let’s be honest, that provides a chance of you forgetting to stop in and pick it up as you’re dancing your way out.>

Instead, check out the Willow Portable Milk Cooler. Its sleek design is great for weddings, adding minimal bulk to your pump bag. This cooler will keep your milk cool for up to 24 hours and holds up to 16 ounces!

Especially if you are hitting the dance floor, hydration is crucial to your pumping success! Be sure to ask for water along with any other drinks you may be having while celebrating the newlyweds.

While you want to look your best, make sure you are thinking about accessibility!

If you want an outfit that you can pump in without leaving the room, think stretchy fabrics that offer room for slipping a pump in and out of your bra.

Our pumping bras are designed to be worn all day and look cute, so be sure to check them out to see if there is one that works with your outfit.

If you prefer to wear a non-pumping bra, the chances are you are going to need to slip away to pump, even with a Willow pump. If that is the case, you may want to consider how much help you will need getting in and out of the outfit.

Pumping on the go is a crucial part of pumping. No one wants to feel trapped or tethered by a plug.

If you are able to sit upright and chat for a bit, check out the Willow Go! The hospital-grade pump fits perfectly in your bra while you are free to eat, walk around and mingle, or just enjoy the views.

Now, if you are ready for some serious line dancing or YMCA-ing, the Willow 3.0 is your girl! Willow 3.0 offers 360 leak-proof mobility that will allow you to pump while dancing, cartwheeling, you name it.

Willow is here to support you throughout your motherhood journey! Check out our blog for resources, guidance, and answers to the questions you never thought you would have to ask!