A couple’s wedding day is one of the most exciting days in their life together. It is a celebration of their love, their way. From underwater scuba diving weddings to a traditional church ceremony to a backyard barbecue, a couple’s wedding is a testament to who they are as people—and as a couple.
No matter the kind of wedding it is, there are aspects to the day that every bride and groom will face. To avoid the stress and last minute worries; follow my checklist and mark off these milestones on the way to the big day.
During the week of the wedding…
[ ] Confirm transportation – If you are renting a limo or car, always call the rental company to confirm your reservation: including date, time, car model, and pickup location.
[ ] Solidify appointments – Whether you are going to a salon to get your hair and makeup done or having a stylist come to you, it’s important that you confirm your appointments. Avoid a mini-crisis by ensuring that you and the salon/stylist have the correct time and date for the appointment.
[ ] Write your vows – Now is the time! A lot of things can happen in the months leading up to a wedding, so waiting to write your vows the week of is ideal. This way you can add in special moments, vacations, or funny stories that happened during your engagement period without worrying about going back and re-writing.
[ ] Make an emergency kit – Include everything from extra bobby pins, hairspray, stain remover and pain relievers, should any malfunction or headache try to ruin your big day. Make sure you’ve printed out double copies of important documents as well as important phone numbers!
[ ] Make all payments – Instead of waiting for the day of to finish paying your photographer, caterer, or venue, submit final payments the week of the wedding. That way you can focus on getting ready and being present in the moment, instead of worrying about paying everyone for their services.
On your wedding day…
[ ] Rehearse your vows – You’ll likely have been rehearsing throughout the week, but take one final look at your vows—especially if you are not going to be reading them directly from a card.
[ ] Bring wedding bands – It seems obvious but don’t forget the rings! Your wedding bands are a significant part of the ceremony, signifying your commitment as you exchange rings. Whether or not you have a ring bearer, provide the rings to the Best Man for safekeeping. As soon as the Best Man has on his tuxedo, place the rings (in a ring box) inside his tuxedo jacket. That way you know the rings are safe and secure.
[ ] Follow your itinerary – Have a timeline of your appointments, photography sessions, ceremony, and reception. Include the Who, What, Where, and When: Who needs to be at What location (Where) and When? Provide this itinerary to your wedding party, at your rehearsal dinner or the night before.
[ ] Bring cash – There are a lot of servers, caterers, bartenders, decorators, and more who assist in making your wedding a special one. Having extra cash on hand means you can provide a tip to someone who showcased excellent care, someone who went above and beyond to make your day great.
[ ] Bring the wedding emergency kit – Reference above! It won’t be of too much help if it’s forgotten!
