The big day is almost here! After months (or even years) of planning, the final week before your wedding is all about tying up loose ends and making sure everything, including you, is ready. Here’s a list of 14 helpful wedding-week reminders.
1. Finalize Your Guest Count & Confirm with Vendors
By now, you should have all your RSVPs in, so make sure to provide the final guest count to your caterer, venue, and any other necessary vendors. This is also a great time to check in with your florist, photographer, DJ, and transportation services to confirm details.
2. Finalize Your Wedding Day Timeline
By the week of your wedding, you should have your wedding day timeline nearly finalized. This is the time to finish your detailed schedule for the big day, including hair and makeup appointments, arrival times, ceremony start time, and key events during the reception. Share the timeline, and especially arrival times, with your bridal party, family, your wedding planner and other vendors so everyone is on the same page. It may be helpful to have a few print copies as well for vendors to reference on the wedding day.
3. Pack an Emergency Kit
Even the most well-planned weddings can have little hiccups, so prepare a wedding-day emergency kit. Include items like safety pins, blotting papers, mints, a mini sewing kit, band-aids, pain relievers, and anything else you might need in a pinch.
4. Pick Up & Try on Your Wedding Attire
If you haven’t already, make sure you have all of your wedding attire (and accessories) picked up, organized, and ready to go. Have your bridal party try everything on one last time to ensure a perfect fit and make sure all accessories are accounted for.
5. Confirm the Weather Forecast & Make Adjustments
Check the weather for your wedding day and make any necessary adjustments. If rain is expected, have umbrellas on hand; if it’s going to be extra hot, arrange for fans or hydration stations at the venue.
6. Assign Day-Of Responsibilities
Make sure your bridal party and close family members know their roles on the wedding day. Assign tasks like helping guests find their seats, cutting the cake or serving the punch.
7. Pack for Your Honeymoon (If Leaving Right After the Wedding)
If you’re heading straight to your honeymoon, pack your bags early so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Don’t forget travel documents, chargers, and any special outfits for your getaway.
8. Have a Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
Use the rehearsal to practice your ceremony the week of your wedding. This time is essential to ensure all parties know what to do to avoid any awkward ceremony moments. Then celebrate with dinner, a great time for the families to spend time with one another before the big day.
9. Prepare Wedding Party & Family Gifts
If you’re planning to give thank-you gifts to your bridal party, parents, or in-laws, make sure they are wrapped and ready to go. The rehearsal dinner is a great time to hand them out.
10. Practice Your Vows (If Writing Your Own)
If you’re writing personal vows, take some time to practice reading them aloud over and over. This will help with nerves and help you avoid stumbling over your words. When you have practiced your vows aloud many times, speaking them in front of everyone will seem less intimidating.
11. Get a Final Beauty Treatment (But Not Too Late!)
If you’re getting a spray tan, waxing, or a facial, do it a few days before the wedding to allow time for any irritation to calm down. Manicures and pedicures can be done closer to the big day for fresh, chip-free nails.
12. Double-Check Your Marriage License & Rings
Make sure your marriage license is ready to go! Also, check that both wedding rings are safely stored and in the right hands for the ceremony.
13. Get Plenty of Rest & Stay Hydrated
This week can be hectic, but try to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. You want to feel refreshed, energized, and glowing on your wedding day!
14. Enjoy the Moment!
Most importantly, take some time to breathe, relax, take photos of the process and soak in the excitement. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you deserve to enjoy every second of it.