Let’s face it, when planning a wedding there is a lot to do and usually never enough time to do it. In a world of full of wedding idea boards on Pinterest and wildly popular celebrity weddings, it is amazing how we can forget some of the simplest, yet easily forgettable details. Simple things like forgetting about catering to your guests special needs or making sure you have enough money in your budget. The information in this post is not to make you stress out about other details you have not thought about, but to simply remind you of some commonly forgotten things to do when planning a wedding. Don’t forget to…..
Before the wedding:
- Clean your engagement ring. Adding a sparkling wedding ring to your dirty engagement ring might not add the kind of shine you were looking for.
- Pack an emergency kit for your wedding – include everything you might need when getting ready or even during the ceremony. Don’t drive yourself crazy and plan for every what if, but you never know when a safety pin or a Band-Aid will come in handy. If you don’t have time to put one together, there are plenty available for purchase.
- Make sure your maid of honor knows how to bustle your dress, if necessary.
- If you are planning an outside wedding, be sure to have a plan B, just in case Mother Nature plans on attending your wedding. Ask your venue or your wedding planner about the best contingency plan for your big day.
Getting ready:
- As bad as it sounds, remember to bring your cell phone charger when you are getting ready, you would not want to miss an important call from one of your vendors. Be sure you have all of your vendors contact info saved in your phone, in case you need to call them.
- Your bridal party AND YOU are going to need some food and water, not just at the reception, but throughout the day as they are getting ready.
- Make sure you have final payment for all your vendors – you should know your final number so that you are not surprised by any last minute taxes or service fees, and yes, there will be taxes and service fees.
Ceremony:
- Don’t laugh – but always know where your rings are. Your maid of honor and best man should have this covered for you, but it does not hurt to double check.
- Okay now you can laugh – or at least remember to smile as you walk down the aisle. Your nerves are probably going to be more on edge now than ever before, but this is your moment to shine, embrace that and let your smile set the tone.
- Bring your marriage certificate and a pen. Signing this is one of the most important things you will do on your big day.
- Treat yourself to a beautiful aisle runner – don’t waste your time with cheap paper runners. Our carpet runners are sometimes less expensive then renting and they make such a beautiful statement. They are available in the famous red carpet color, as well as a bright white.
- Consider roping off your aisle, leaving the aisle for the wedding party and of course, the bride. Your guest can be seated from the sides inward.
Reception:
- Make sure your entire bridal party has transportation from the reception to the ceremony.
- Have some extra cash on hand – you never really know who you may have to tip.
- Don’t forget to feed your vendors at the reception (photographers, DJ, and such).
- If you have any guests that need special services, for example, wheelchair accessibility, make sure they are covered. Keep this in mind for your menu too, there might be a family member or friend who might have a food allergy.
- You may not want to toss your actual bouquet, have your florist put together a smaller one so that you can preserve yours.
- If you have your heart set on specific photos you want taken, give your photographer a checklist of must have shots ahead of the actual wedding day. For example, if you want a pick with your long lost cousin and your parents, let them know ahead of time, so you are not scrambling on your wedding day to remember which photos you took and have yet to take.
- Lastly, remember to take it all in, your wedding day will go by really quick. Throughout the day, be sure to pause and enjoy the moment.
Keep in mind this list is not a full list, there are other things to consider but we hope this list will help.