Tips on preparing for the Wedding Day

Photo Credit

​​The BIG day is almost here, and preparation is vital. Couples often express different visions when it comes to wedding styles, but preparing for such a big day is inevitable and mutual. When preparing for the wedding day, clear your work to do list. Plan your extracurricular work activities around your wedding so they won't clash. 

​Check the weather. Since weather is unpredictable, and it seems unwise to check for information that may be inaccurate, some weather forecast offer 30-day predictions. It may be entirely accurate at the time or subject to change, but at least you can see what is ahead.

​Call your guest, especially people who have not RSVP’d yet, get a final count while you still have time. The sooner, the better. Wedding parties may have to pay for each plate or have limited seating. If a guest does not RSVP and shows up, they will not have a place to sit or food to eat. Additionally, call your guest who already RSVP to make sure no last minute emergencies came up, make sure your amount of guest is most accurate for your satisfaction, the vendors, satisfaction, and your guest. Empty seats at your wedding can cause disappointments and sorrow to the newly couples wallet.

Meet with your planner, dot your I’s and cross your t’s. Finalize any last minute detail and last minute changes.

Double check payment for vendors. You want to have all of your document aligned for your perfect day to run smoothly. Along with payments for vendors, get any gratuities in order. It may seem like a responsibility for the planner, but during the wedding, the wedding party will find themselves in predicaments where they’re handing business instead of enjoying the party. Prepare tip envelopes for the vendors in marked envelopes. You want to set a fixed amount so you won’t scramble for cash on the day. With documents, comes marriage license. Make sure your marriage license is in order. Allow someone to keep track of it the day-of to make sure it does not get lost throughout the day and look over the certificate to see if it is signed correctly.

Validate your entire look-try on the whole outfit for the wedding, including jewelry and accessories to truly capture the look you are aiming for. Practice in your shoes, do not overdo it by wearing your wedding shoes at every moment you can, but at least break them in for the few hours for the big day. Remember to bring along formal sandals to swap out the harsh pumps.

Pack a wedding day bag ahead of time so closer to the day of you can continue putting items you might have looked over the first time you started packing. Carry a “Survival Kit” including essential items: sewing kit, first aid kit, bobby pins, hand sanitizer, a mirror, baby wipes, and other things deemed necessary. Put together a list of songs you would like to hear. Practice your vows out loud. Keep in mind, just because everything is planning to be a certain way, something will go wrong. Don’t live in fear, but expect the unexpected, prepare to roll with the punches as a last resort. Nothing can prepare you for certain uncertainties,

Keep in mind... Things could be worse. Plan to have buffers (filters) at the wedding. Someone who can intercept unwanted or negative information, so you are not aware. Have someone on phone duty to diverge the hundred something phone calls and or messages that will go to your phone. If something significant comes up, the filters will fix the problem and advise with the parties need be to correct any hitch.

Be sure to schedule makeup and hair trial appointments to find the “right look” for your day, take a picture from every angle. Just because you have an idea in mind, does not mean it will bring the look together. Gather examples to show how you would like your hair and makeup done.

Create a schedule to give yourself enough time the day-of to keep you ahead of the game. Eventually, plans will turn left, and things take longer than expected. The bride is the top priority and should be the first to get hair and makeup done. If one member is getting their done, another person should get their makeup done. Plan two additional hours if you think you’ll only need 3. If you find yourself ahead of schedule, you can have the photographer start on wedding pictures, but if you fall behind schedule, the show can not go on without you. Take your time.

Plan out your means of transportation for you and the wedding party, before and after the ceremony and reception to keep an order of arrival times, departure times and current locations.

Last but surely not least, plan a “Thank you” for all guest who attended, vendors and all parties who took part in bringing together the wedding you always dreamed.

Article by Kayla Wright