Last Minute Wedding Day Checklist
So the big day has finally arrived and the nerves are jangling! But before you head out to the ceremony there are a few last minute checks you need to do first. Some of these are pertinent to the bride and groom, others to members of the wedding party.
Around two days before the wedding it can be a good idea to print out checklists of duties and responsibilities for all those who have them and to make sure they receive and understand them. This includes the chief bridesmaid, the best man, your vendors such as the florist, caterers and car hire company, and make sure anyone else such as ushers and those giving a reading are fully prepared.
On the day itself you need to run through the following items to make sure you are ready for any eventuality:
• Wedding Rings: these are essential so make sure they get to the church. The bride’s ring should be with her father or the person who gives her away, whilst the groom’s ring should be with the best man.
• Travel Documents: if you intend to go straight off on honeymoon after the wedding reception then make sure you take your tickets, passports, travel insurance and any other necessary documents with you. If possible have them taken in advance to the reception venue and left in the care of the reception desk so you can pick them up later.
• Flowers: make sure someone is assigned to collect the wedding flowers from the florist and delivers them to you. The groom’s buttonhole and those for the members of his wedding party need to be delivered to him separately.
• Change of clothes: many brides like to change for the evening party, particularly if their wedding dress is not the most practical garment for dancing in. Others like to have at least a change of shoes for the evening do.
• Cards and telegrams: it is traditional for the best man to read out any cards and messages from guests who couldn’t attend the wedding, at the reception, so make sure any you have received are collected up and handed to him at the reception. If you have the time you should sort through them and arrange them in order of priority.
• Make Up: it is always worth putting together a bridal handbag which will contain your make up, some paracetamols, tissues, nail file and emergency sewing kit! This bag can become your lifeline throughout the wedding day so make sure you hand it to someone trustworthy for safe keeping.
• First Aid Kit: have someone carry a kit containing plasters, headache pills, indigestion tablets, tissues and possibly smelling salts (should any become so overcome with the romance of the occasion!)
• Bottled Water: a bottle of water can help to re-hydrate dry mouths caused by last minute nerves. It is also a practical idea to have water available throughout the day, particularly if the weather is hot and dry.
• Cash: you never know when you might need some so hand a bundle of cash over to your father for safe keeping or give it to the best man. Also check if you need to pay your reception bill on the day, in which case give the money to the best man in an envelope so he can hand it over later on.
