The Prepared Bride’s Last Minute Wedding Day Checklist
Even though experts advise at least six months of preparation prior to your wedding, no matter how hard you try, there is always an endless list of little chores to do before the big day. With all the excitement and stress that comes along with planning a wedding, it’s easy to forget some of the crucial tasks that should be finished before walking down the aisle. A central list of all the final details can help you and your intended get organized, ensuring your wedding day goes as smoothly as you’d ever dreamed it could.
Honeymoon Suitcase
No one wants to show up on their honeymoon with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes, but you won’t have time on your wedding day to put together a vacation wardrobe. Choose your outfits and pack for your trip at least a week prior to the big day. Follow the advice of savvy travelers and roll your clothes instead of folding them for a crease-free, honeymoon-ready wardrobe.
Wedding Outfit
Wedding days are stressful enough without trying to remember where you put aunt Dawn’s sapphire necklace you wanted to wear for your “something blue.” Your special day should be as peaceful as possible, and that will only happen if you get everything ready beforehand. Leave no details to chance; you should be able to sail through this day without ever having to make a decision. Gather your entire wedding outfit, from underwear to accessories, and place them in a bag hung on the hanger with your dress.
The Reception Vendors
Speak with each of your vendors the day before the wedding, both to confirm the details about the next day and to find out the types of payment they accept for their services. Many companies now offer payment onsite with mobile credit card processing accessories for their smartphones or tablets. If a company only accepts cash or checks, fill out payment envelopes ahead of time and give them to someone trustworthy to pass out after the reception.
Legal Papers
Nothing important gets done without paperwork these days, and weddings are no exception. Gather together your marriage license, identification, passports and any other legal papers on the morning of the wedding and entrust them to a sensible member of your wedding party.
All Your Helpers
Set aside a little time the day before the wedding to nail down the details about all the people helping you with your wedding. Make tip envelopes for servers, bartenders, DJ and the limo driver. Schedule a meal for all the vendors who will be helping your guests during the reception. Start taking candid pictures for guests who couldn’t make the ceremony. Invite your maid of honor to a quiet lunch—it’s likely she’s running around just as stressed out as you are.
Eat
Despite the fabulous food often served at receptions, a surprising number of brides and grooms get through the day without eating anything at all. They’re often running around too frantically before the wedding, and get interrupted dozens of times during the reception meal itself. Ensure yourself against low blood sugar faintness by taking 20 minutes out of your morning for a healthy breakfast. Eat some oatmeal, a breakfast burrito or even a fruit and yogurt smoothie. It will help give you energy for the day to come.
