With so much happening before a wedding, it’s easy to let little things and even big tasks fall by the proverbial wayside. If you’re paranoid about forgetting something, or a bunch of things, check out the following checklist of “big and small” tasks to remind yourself of what still needs handling!
Printed Items
Aside from you Save-the-Dates and Invitations, as there is no celebration without them, don’t forget your other printed items as well. Thank you cards are important and so easy to forget in all of the hustle and bustle of wedding planning.
Don’t forget these printed items leading up to the big day:
- Save-the-Dates
- Invitations
- Programs
- Menus
- Place cards
- Cake bags
- Thank-you notes
Venue Info:
There are some important bits and pieces that you’ll need to find out before you plan your seating arrangements and set-up for the reception. And that includes:
- Disabled access–for friends and family in wheelchairs, etc.
- Maximum number–find out the maximum amount of people the venue can accommodate
- Safety–learn where the fire exits are and any other safety precautions you should know about at your chosen venue
- Liabilities–know what you’ll be liable for should anything at the venue get damaged
- Flowers–decorations for the front of the venue
Ceremony
There are certain questions you’re going to want answered before you plan your ceremony as well. From candle lighting to remembering the VIP seating decor, here’s what you need to make note of and not forget:
- Does the venue allow candles?
- VIP seating decor
- Other Chair decorations–either on the pews, or back of the chairs
- Chuppah or alter decor
- Flower girl petals
- Cushions–if bride and groom plan on kneeling at anytime
- Rings and ring cushion
Reception
The reception is the core of the entire party, so it’s essential that you don’t miss a detail or any piece of the celebration. You’ll be sorry if you don’t make note of these musts:
- Table decorations
- Tablecloth and chair covers
- Music and dance floor (DJ or live band)
- Cake table
- Favors
- Wedding photo album–want it available for guests to sign?
- Gifts table
- Table plans
- Place cards–so guests can find their seats without issue
- Centerpieces
- Photobooth / Photo backdrop
Bridal Party
It’s also really easy to forget some of the essentials that go along with the people actually involved in the big day. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here too:
Bride & Bridesmaids
- Hair and Makeup–do a trial run or two with your chosen hairstylist/makeup artist, and ensure the person knows where to go on your big day
- Dresses–whatever you decide on for yourself and your bridesmaids, it’s best to go with options that flatter everyone’s figure, even if it means different dresses in the same hue
- Underwear–make certain no one’s underwear peeks out if dresses are low-cut!
- Shoes–if you aren’t picky about shoes, ask your bridesmaids to buy what they want in the same color
- Garter–you’ll need this!
- Earrings–check which bridesmaids have their ears pierced before ordering
- Necklaces–don’t forget them!
Bridal Bag
- Bridal party mobile phones/purses
- White chalk–for covering white dress stains
- Needle and thread
- White and colored ribbon–for any hair issues
- Double-sided tape
- Safety pins
- Tampons
- Hairspray
- Extra makeup
- Antihistamines
- Breath mints/dental floss
- Bobby pins
- Wet wipes
- Perfume
- Deodorant
Groom & Groomsmen
- Rent or buy–sometimes it costs just as much to rent them, so decide what you want early on
- Cummerbunds–have them made if renting the suits
- Cufflinks
- Shoes-some may want to rent these too
Cake
The center of the reception is the wedding cake, so you may not want to miss a beat here either:
- Type–decide what kind of cake you want, and if you want the tiers to be different
- Knives–necessary for cutting the cake! Use any knife you like, or a special cake knife
- Champagne glasses for a sip with your slice
Flowers & Decorations
There are some important petals you won’t want to skip planning either. From the bride to the groom don’t forget a bloom:
- Bride and bridesmaid flowers
- Corsages and posies–groom, groomsmen, mother of the bride
- Arrangements–for church or reception
- Flower disposal–have fresh flowers pressed or framed if desired
- Extra bouquet–if you plan to throw the bouquet, do you want to use yours or a spare?
Photos
You’ll have memories for years, but you’ll wanna take a peek at them while you reminiscence for the rest of your life. Arguably the most important decision you’ll make when planning your wedding, the photos are important:
- Location–decide on the time and place for pictures, preferably somewhere close to the reception
- Video–want to do a professional wedding video, or no?
- Props–are you using any special keepsakes or other items in your photos?
- Money–ensure you have enough money for payment!!
Food & Beverages
The food has to be good too because this is what people will be talking about. Besides the bride’s dress, it’s one of the most memorable parts of the night:
- Meal choices–who at your wedding is vegetarian or vegan? Has food allergies? Is going gluten-free?
- Signature drinks
- Cash or open bar
- Plated meal / buffet / passed horderves
Transportation
Logistics of the entire day are important because that’s going to be what makes everything run smoothly. Plan your transportation so there’s no stress on the big day:
- Bridal car–for you and your dad, then you and your hubby
- Bridesmaid car–for the bridesmaids and flower girl
- Groom car–for the groom and his guys
- Honeymoon car–the car you and your hubby take your leave in
- Guests without Transport–make arrangements for elderly relatives and others without transportation
- Car ribbon–make your own or find one online
Important People
The day can’t go on without all of these people accounted for. Make sure they’re all ready to rock on the day of:
- Officiant
- Wedding planner
- Emcee
- Ushers
- Photographer