Planning a wedding is a monumental effort. For a few months before the big day, it is all that most couples talk about. It dominates every conversation.
But even with a lot of planning, some couples still forget small but critical details. Bad move!
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the little wedding details that every couple forgets before the big day. Well, with the possible exception of you of course!
Rain Coats
Some people have the good fortune to live in a part of the world where bright, warm sunshine is all but guaranteed. There are large segments of the society though – we’re looking at you UK – where the weather is unpredictable and, almost always, treacherous.
It makes sense, therefore, to prepare rain gear in advance, especially if you’re holding your wedding outside.
Some couples like to include pocket umbrellas in their guest welcome kits or just have them on standby if it looks as though it might rain.
If you do decide to go down the brolly route, be sure to make them small enough so that people can use them side by side when sitting down.
An Extra Pair Of Shoes
When it comes to your wedding, you never quite know when your wardrobe malfunction will arrive, but invariably it does. Broken heels are top of the list of problems that you will likely encounter.
Yes – the possibilities of actually breaking a heel on your big day are remote. But you don’t want to let your gorgeous dress go to waste because you have to walk everywhere barefoot.
Backup Your Speech
Writing down your speech on a piece of paper is a good idea. When you talk off the cuff, you don’t always know what to say next. You could lose your hard copy, though. Then what would you do?
Ideally, you should have both paper and digital versions of your speeches ready to go. If you lose the paper version on the way from your house, you always have your phone as a backup. And, if your internet crashes, you still have the paper version.
Pack An Emergency Kit
We hate to say it, but things can and do go wrong at weddings. You can rip your clothes, cut yourself, and spill drinks. For these reasons (and many more), it makes a lot of sense to pack an emergency kit – some tools and equipment that you can use to undo whatever damage has been done.
Include essentials such as:
- Items for sewing
- Plasters
- Bandages
- Scissors
- Tape
- Sponges and cloths
- Gauzes
- Wire
- Dental floss
- Stain sticks
- Tissues
Bring Cash
Even if you’ve planned everything and paid for your wedding in advance, you still don’t know when you might need cash. It could be to pay for a taxi for your guests or buy a drink at the bar – you just don’t know.
Bring some money with you in a purse and then leave it with somebody you trust – usually one of the bridesmaids.
Eat A Pre-Wedding Meal
The day you get married is one of the most hectic occasions of your life. From the moment you wake up, it’s GO GO GO.
Even though you might feel like you have a million jobs to do, you shouldn’t forget to eat breakfast. It might not seem as crucial as getting into your clothes or arriving at the venue on time, but it is critical if you wish to enjoy your day.
Remember, most wedding ceremonies go on for several hours before you get the chance to eat any food. You don’t want your stomach rumbling at the altar – and you certainly don’t want to feel faint.
If you go without breakfast, waiting until 4 pm for the caterers to dish up food is too long. The official advice? Always fill up before your big day. Eat something healthy that will fill you up and make you feel good and ready to face the challenges ahead.
Pack Extra Stationery Items
Photographers love to capture images of elegant wedding invitations, save-the-dates, programs, and guestbooks. All these items help to set the scene and add a touch of nostalgia. Don’t forget to pack these items ahead of time. It might sound like a silly detail, but when you look back at your wedding album, it helps to bring everything together.
Tip Envelopes
The guests at your wedding might want to offer the various vendors tips to appreciate the excellent service that they provide. Ordinarily, though, they won’t remember to bring tip envelopes. Here’s where you can help – pack a few dozen plain envelopes in your wedding bag or just leave them at the venue the night before. Add a label, explaining to people what they’re for and how they can use them.
Clothes For Getting Ready
Packing clothes for getting ready for your wedding day might seem like a strange idea, but once you’re in the chair being prepped, it makes a lot of sense. To minimize risk, you should only put on the dress at the last minute, just before you get into the car.
Remember, doing your hair and makeup is potentially messy. Your stylist or makeup artist could spill products on the dress or trample on your train. Be sure, therefore, that you have some old clothes on standby.
An Overnight Bag
Most couples head straight from the wedding ceremony to a hotel, often overseas. It is vital, therefore, to remember to pack a wedding bag – something that contains all the things that you need for an overnight stay somewhere.
Things to pack include all your medications, a change of clothes, some toiletries, and whatever else you need to feel comfortable. Don’t forget your makeup and toothbrush. And if you’ve jetted off to a tropical destination, you’ll need sunglasses and a hat too.
A Timeline
While you might have organized the venue and the vendors, you won’t know what should happen unless you have a timetable. Scheduling is an essential part of your wedding day. Without it, nobody knows what’s supposed to happen, or at what time, and the day can drag out well beyond your bedtime.
You’ll want your timeline to provide you with answers to the following questions:
- What time should people arrive at the venue?
- What time will the ceremony start?
- What time will the ceremony finish?
- What time do people need to be at the reception?
- What time will you serve the wedding breakfast?
- What time are the speeches?
- What time will the wedding breakfast end?
- What time does the after-party start?
Hopefully, you get the picture. You need a clear timetable of these wedding details in order to make sure that you stay on schedule.
A Point Person
All couples need a “point person” – somebody who can answer guests’ questions (such as, where is the bathroom)? Without somebody like this, guests will either become confused or inundate the couple with annoying administrative questions.
Smart brides and grooms, therefore, always appoint a point person in advance. This individual can be a professional wedding planner, but it doesn’t have to be. Somebody who is well-acquainted with events and the situation on the ground is all that you need.
Your ID
No matter where you go, it helps to have ID with you, just in case. Some venues will still insist that you hand it over, even if you’re wearing a wedding dress. This is one of those wedding details you don’t want to forget.
A Gift Plan
Gifts have become part and parcel of modern wedding days. The happy couple sends out requests for what they want in advance, and then people bring their presents along on the day itself. Usually, the buying goes well, especially with the help of modern apps that prevent you from getting twelve toasters you don’t need. But the sheer scale of the haul still requires a substantial organization.
Remember, if you have 300 guests, that’s potentially 100 gifts. Where will you put them all? Who is responsible for receiving and looking after them? Without a plan, it can descend into chaos.
Your best bet is to designate a family member to accept all cards and gifts. That person’s job is to thank guests on your behalf.
Double-Check All Your Printed Materials
Wedding days involve a lot of printed materials – place names, program booklets, song sheets, and itineraries. But invariably, there are problems: song sheets can be in the wrong order, misspelled names on placeholders, and program booklets can have typos.
To avoid embarrassment, double-check all your materials before printing them out en masse. If you notice a problem on the day, use a pen or felt-tip to correct it. If you can’t, then simply inform your guests of the changes and then let them alter their plans.
If you want your vintage wedding to run smoothly, you need to think as much about the small details as you do the large. When things go wrong, it can massively eat into your day, taking up precious time when you could be enjoying yourself. Always prepare as much as you can in advance and try not to leave any of these wedding details to chance.
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